by Pete Hayman | 19 Feb 2009

Donald Trump's plans to establish a new £1bn golf resort on the Menie Estate in Balmedie, Aberdeenshire, are continuing ahead of schedule despite the news that the American tycoon's casino group had filed for bankruptcy protection in the US. Trump Entertainment Resorts (TER), which owns three casinos in Atlantic City, US, filed for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy code having failed to meet a US$53m (£37m)

by Tom Walker | 19 Feb 2009

A decommissioned German U-boat has opened to the public as a visitor attraction on Liverpool Docks. One of only four remaining in the world, the vessel was acquired by Merseytravel when its previous owner, the Historic Warships Museum in Birkenhead went into voluntary liquidation. The ship has been completely restored and cut into four sections with glass panels at the end of each section to allow visitors the chance to

by Pete Hayman | 19 Feb 2009

Plans to build a new swimming pool in Worthing's Aquarena in West Sussex have taken a step forward after the local authority confirmed the sale of 1.13 hectares (2.8 acres) of land to a housing developer. A resolution to grant planning permission for the development of land at Sea Place and Eirene Road, which was issued in December 2007, was approved by Worthing Borough Council (WBC) on 5 February after

by Pete Hayman | 18 Feb 2009

Gloucester City Council (GCC) and Gloucester Heritage Urban Regeneration Company (GHURC) are inviting developers to put forward proposals for the £350m redevelopment of the city centre. The 28-acre (11.3-hectare) King's Quarter development is set to include new leisure facilities and new public spaces, as well as the creation of at least 25,000sq ft (2,323sq m) of retail floor space, in a bid to increase the area's use into the evening.

by Pete Hayman | 18 Feb 2009

Nearly 30 regeneration schemes across Britain have been named as finalists for the 2009 Waterways Renaissance Awards by The Waterways Trust (TWT) and the British Urban Regeneration Association (BURA). Nominations were judged by an independent assessment panel comprising a range of waterway, conservation and regeneration experts, with the awards incorporating 10 categories, including recreation and tourism, and historic environment. Among the finalists for this year's awards is a waterfront regeneration

by Pete Hayman | 18 Feb 2009

Plans put forward by seven shortlisted architects for the refurbishment of the Grade II-listed Royal Court Theatre in Liverpool have been put on public display until the end of the month. Designs for the revamp of the 1,250-seat theatre, which has one of the biggest revolve stages outside the West End of London, can be viewed until 27 February in the Architruck, the Royal Institute of British Architect's (RIBA) purpose-built

by Helen Patenall | 18 Feb 2009

David Chipperfield Architects has revealed its winning design for an extension to the Kunsthaus Zurich art gallery in Zurich, Switzerland. The early 20th century building will continue to house the Old Masters, Giacometti collection, Swiss art and popular large-scale exhibitions, whereas the new 20,500sq m (220,660sq ft) extension will display classic modernism and art starting from the 1960s, as well as the Bührle collection. Photograph: courtesy if David Chipperfield Architects

by Helen Patenall | 18 Feb 2009

Yet another masterplan is being drawn up for The Sands development at Scarborough’s North Bay. Scarborough Council’s private sector partner Benchmark Leisure has assured residents that the latest design will incorporate the coveted £20m covered water park, due to open this spring, but it is not known whether the eight-lane competition-standard pool replacing the town’s outdated indoor pool is still on the cards. Managing director David Rhodes told Scarborough Evening

by Pete Hayman | 17 Feb 2009

A 13m (43ft) rooftop wind turbine has been installed at Colston Hall in Bristol in a bid to develop a renewable energy source for the 2,000-seat concert venue, which is currently undergoing a multi-million pound refurbishment. EDF Energy's Green Fund has contributed £30,000 towards the £47,000 sustainable energy scheme, which also includes 25 solar panels, and aims to generate 27,000kWh of green electricity each year. Bristol City Council (BCC) has

by Pete Hayman | 17 Feb 2009

Plans to build a new school and improve existing facilities at the Eastern Leisure Centre in Llanrumney, Cardiff, have been put on public display by the city council. Cardiff Council intends to close both the Llanrumney and Rumney High Schools in a bid to improve local education standards, with part of the Eastern Leisure Centre site earmarked for the construction of a purpose-built replacement. Facilities at the leisure centre will

by Pete Hayman | 16 Feb 2009

An area of Camden Town, London, which was severely damaged by fire in February 2008, is set to be transformed after the local authority gave the go-ahead for the regeneration of Hawley Wharf. Camden Council has adopted a new planning framework for the wharf area, which extends back from the north bank of Regent's Canal into Camden's iconic market area. The Hawley Wharf Planning Framework outlines the council's vision to

by Pete Hayman | 16 Feb 2009

The Monument, a memorial built to commemorate the Great Fire of London in 1666, has reopened to the public following multi-million pound restoration project lasting 18 months. A new viewing platform, balustrade and cage have been installed at the 202ft (62m)-high structure as part of the £4.5m scheme, as well as new telescopes and improved lighting. Work has also been carried out to clean The Monument's stonework and to repair

by Pete Hayman | 16 Feb 2009

Local residents are being invited for another round of public consultation into Bristol City Football Club's (BCFC) proposals for a new 30,000-seat stadium at Ashton Vale. Plans for the new stadium, which will be built on a 42-acre (17-hectare) site near the David Lloyd fitness centre and the Long Ashton park and ride facility, are due to be submitted to the local authority later this year. The club first asked

by Pete Hayman | 16 Feb 2009

Plans for the multi-million pound refurbishment of Stoke-on-Trent city centre in Staffordshire have been given the green light by the local authority. Stoke-on-Trent City Council's (STCC) development control committee backed the scheme, which includes a new multi-screen cinema complex, a hotel, and new cafés and restaurants. Retail units and a multi-storey car park also feature in plans submitted to the council by developer Realis in October 2008, as well as

by Pete Hayman | 16 Feb 2009

Health managers at NHS Hull have approved multi-million pound proposals for the development of a combined sports and healthy lifestyle complex, which will also incorporate training facilities for Hull Football Club (HFC). The board of NHS Hull has agreed to invest £1m in the scheme, which will create a hub for the organisation to offer a number of public health programmes for the local community, as well as bringing the

by Pete Hayman | 13 Feb 2009

Plans for the £165m refurbishment of Manchester's town hall complex has been given the green light by the city council. The project, which is expected to get underway later this year, has been designed to preserve the area's historic buildings for future generations, as well as improving services for the local community. A new 'Mediatheque' facility will be created as part of the scheme, a series of spaces including cinema

by Pete Hayman | 13 Feb 2009

Highland Council has announced that the redevelopment of Fort William's waterfront is set to move forward with the signing of legal documents, enabling the project's developer to continue with its planning application. Once missives are signed, Fort William Waterfront Ltd (FWWL) will be able to appoint consultants for the scheme, which will include a hotel and restaurants, as well as new residential and retail developments. FWWL's plans, which will also

by Pete Hayman | 12 Feb 2009

Plans for the £750m transformation of the 468-acre (189.4-hectare) Longbridge site near Birmingham have been given the green light by the government. The Longbridge Area Action Plan (LAAP), which was submitted to the government last March, outlines a 15-year vision for a mixed-use redevelopment of the former MG Rover factory site. At the heart of the scheme is a new town centre incorporating public, leisure and retail facilities, as well

by Pete Hayman | 12 Feb 2009

Plans for the new London 2012 Handball Arena have been given the green light by the Olympic Delivery Authority's (ODA) planning committee. Designed by Make Architects with PTW and Arup, the planning application for the 7,000-seat venue has been recommended for approval when it goes before the Greater London Authority (GLA) before permission is ultimately granted. The arena will be situated in the west of the Olympic Park within four

by Caroline Wilkinson | 10 Feb 2009

Designs for the €450m (US$582m, £399m) Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre in Athens, Greece have been revealed by Italian architects Renzo Piano. The 187,800sq m centre, to be built on a 42-acre (17-hectare) waterside site in Stavros Niarchos Park, will house the Greek National Opera and the National Library of Greece. The project is funded by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, and once completed in 2015 will be handed over to

by Pete Hayman | 10 Feb 2009

Property developer Montpellier Estates is to take legal action against Leeds City Council (LCC) after losing out in the race to build a new multi-million pound entertainment arena. In November, LCC's executive announced that the new 12,500-seat venue would be built by the council itself on a 5.1-acre (2.06-hectare) site at Claypit Lane, which is part-owned by Leeds Metropolitan University. Proposals for the new arena put forward by two developers,

by Pete Hayman | 09 Feb 2009

A £150m mixed-use regeneration scheme for Lancaster's canal corridor, which was approved by the city council in October, has been called in by communities secretary, Hazel Blears. The Castle View project, which is being led by the London-based urban regeneration company, Centros, will now go to a public inquiry later this year, although no date has been set. Plans feature six public spaces, including a new park leading to the

by Pete Hayman | 09 Feb 2009

Blackpool Council (BC) has announced that it will bring forward the opening of a new seafront promenade in a bid to capitalise on the expected increase in domestic tourism. Most of the construction work, which is being carried out by Birse Coastal, is now expected to be completed in time for the summer season. The remaining work will be carried out later this year. Maxine Callow, BC's cabinet member for

by Pete Hayman | 06 Feb 2009

A new £100m retail and leisure complex is set to be built at Ty Mawr on Anglesey, North Wales, after councillors gave the green light to plans submitted by developer Ynys Môn Estates. Plans for the 55-acre (22.3-hectare) development near Llanfairpwll, which include a Cineworld multiplex cinema and a ten-pin bowling alley, were originally rejected by Anglesey Council in December. However, because the council's decision went against the recommendations of

by Tom Walker | 06 Feb 2009

UK-based Vitala Group has signed a memorandum of understanding to carry out eight feasibility studies in Vietnam. Most projects are situated within the Ho Chi Minh City district and cover mixed-use developments with leisure elements, a hotel, a themed entertainment project and a tourist resort project to be located in the Khanh Haa Province of Vietnam. Also being considered for development are a marina, port site and freight container port

by Tom Walker | 06 Feb 2009

Designs have been unveiled for a landmark oil & gas museum and exhibition centre set to be built in Al Ahmadi, Kuwait for the Kuwait Oil Company. The 8,800sq m exhibition and display centre has been designed by UK-based Architect Morgan Professional Services (MPS) and will be arranged over three floor levels with a viewing tower above. Nine interactive exhibition spaces will form an integral part of the building and

by Tom Walker | 06 Feb 2009

Leisure Connection has opened a Harpers-branded health club at a leisure centre in Wyboston, Bedfordshire, after completing a £0.5m revamp at the site. The new private health club at Wyboston Health and Fitness, managed by Leisure Connection, features equipment from Technogym and Star Trac as well as range of NXT spin bikes and a boxing fitness zone. The gym has been designed based on a zone layout system, with designated