A new term for construction: people, projects and PPE

There have been three new appointments in key roles interacting with construction and the built environment: Chris McDonald, construction minister, Samantha Dixon MBE, building safety minister, and Steve Reed OBE, housing minister.

Chris McDonald, construction minister

Chris McDonald was elected to parliament for the first time in July 2024 but previously spent 20 years in the steel industry, including as CEO of Tata Steel. He is also the editor of Millennium Steel Publishing, an annual publication for engineers and managers in the steel industry.

McDonald takes over as the construction minister from Sarah Jones, making him the 27th minister to hold the post in the past 25 years.

Samantha Dixon MBE, building safety minister

Prior to becoming an MP in 2022, Samantha Dixon MBE was a local authority councillor for the City of Chester for twelve years. During this time, she was the first female leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, holding the post from 2015 to 2019. Dixon was involved in delivering Storyhouse, establishing the first council-led Poverty Truth Commission in the country, and helping to progress the first phase of the Northgate Development.

She takes over as minister for building safety, fire and democracy from Alex Norris, who moved to a ministerial post in the Home Office.

Steve Reed OBE, housing minister

Steve Reed OBE led Lambeth Council for four years before being elected as an MP in 2012. During this time, he co-chaired the Vauxhall Nine Elms Battersea (VNEB) regeneration board, which oversaw one of Europe’s largest urban development schemes, and established ALMO Lambeth Living in April 2008 to manage and improve over 33,000 council homes.

Most recently, Reed held the position of the secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs, but now takes over as secretary of state for housing, communities and local government from Angela Rayner.  

BSI has published a new British Standard for personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure everyone can have PPE that fits, regardless of gender, ethnicity, body shape, age, or disability.

BS 30417: Provision of Inclusive Personal Protective Equipment – Guide aims to tackle a longstanding issue in UK workplaces, particularly in construction, healthcare and policing. According to research by Focal Data, 36% of UK women and 45% of women globally have been supplied inappropriate PPE. This not only causes discomfort but leads to compromised safety, increased injury risk, lower job satisfaction, and even drives skilled workers away. 

Sky Studios Elstree

Expansion plans for Sky’s Elstree Studios in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire have been given the go-ahead by government after initially being refused planning permission by Hertsmere Borough Council last year.

Although planning officers recommended approving the project, the council voted to reject the 38-acre expansion citing concerns about loss of green belt land.

Last year’s update to the National Planning Policy Framework has worked in Sky’s favour as the site has since been redefined as ‘grey belt land’ under the new land classes.

The proposed expansion, designed by UMC Architects, will see the construction of nearly 72,000sq m of production space in eight buildings housing 10 new sound stages.

BBC Elstree Centre

French investment manager Axa IM Alts has been given planning approval to redevelop part of the BBC’s Elstree Centre.

The scheme, also designed by UMC Architects, was approved by Hertsmere Council on 18 September and will see the studio stage space expanded to around 100,000sq ft across five new sound stages. A new five-storey media hub, containing 58,000sq ft of office space, will be added to the site.

The BBC will continue to occupy around half of the 16-acre site for the next 25 years, while the remaining part of the complex will become ‘Fairbanks Studios’. Fairbanks Studios is targeting a BREEAM Outstanding rating and will be assessed against the Albert Studio Sustainability Standard.

Northern Studios

Plans for the £33.5m expansion of Northern Studios in Hartlepool have also been given the green light this month.

The site only opened in November 2022 but is already being expanded to include larger studios and the development of a production village in the surrounding area.

Nine disused buildings will be repurposed into pre- and post-production spaces and workshops. One of these is the grade-II listed Shades Hotel which originally opened in the 1850s but has been shut for more than 50 years.

The project is being led by Hartlepool Borough Council, in partnership with The Northern School of Art, Tees Valley Combined Authority and North East Screen. Work will begin early next year and the scheme aims to be ready by spring 2028.