Construction News
14/02/2025
Cala Homes Opens New Southern Division
![Construction News Image](https://www.construction.co.uk/newsimages/1_316306_calahomes.jpg)
Homebuilder Cala has launched a new business division, Cala Southern, as part of its growth strategy across the South of England.
Cala Southern will spearhead the company's westward expansion, enhancing Cala's presence in Dorset, Hampshire and Southern Wiltshire, to meet strong demand for high-quality housing. The new division will also manage Cala's existing live sites in these counties, including Winchester, Wimborne and Fordingbridge, previously overseen by Cala Thames.
Cala Southern will be led by incoming managing director Rod Martin who brings a wealth of experience to the role having worked across the housebuilding sector for almost 25 years, including leadership positions at Taylor Wimpey and Redrow.
This year, Cala Southern will deliver 400 homes, with plans to increase this to over 500 homes annually by 2028. The division's new headquarters in Winchester will open in March, and the region will support around 90 new direct roles so far, and hundreds more jobs through subcontractor partners and the supply chain.
Kevin Whitaker, CEO of Cala Group commented: "Our strategy to expand Cala's presence in the South West of England has taken a significant step forward. The expertise within our team and success of our high-quality, sustainable homes across England, has given us the confidence to invest in Cala Southern.
"Cala is well-positioned to achieve our goal of building over 4,000 homes by 2029, across the Group. Aligned with this ambition, our team throughout the UK are proactively looking to invest in sites with and without planning permission, for both short-term and future development. They have the skill and financial backing to unlock potential across the full range of planning and development opportunities.
"We're delighted to welcome Rod to the Cala Southern business. His extensive experience and deep understanding of the local market and our customer profile will further strengthen our team as they continue to invest in opportunities across the new patch."
Cala Southern will spearhead the company's westward expansion, enhancing Cala's presence in Dorset, Hampshire and Southern Wiltshire, to meet strong demand for high-quality housing. The new division will also manage Cala's existing live sites in these counties, including Winchester, Wimborne and Fordingbridge, previously overseen by Cala Thames.
Cala Southern will be led by incoming managing director Rod Martin who brings a wealth of experience to the role having worked across the housebuilding sector for almost 25 years, including leadership positions at Taylor Wimpey and Redrow.
This year, Cala Southern will deliver 400 homes, with plans to increase this to over 500 homes annually by 2028. The division's new headquarters in Winchester will open in March, and the region will support around 90 new direct roles so far, and hundreds more jobs through subcontractor partners and the supply chain.
Kevin Whitaker, CEO of Cala Group commented: "Our strategy to expand Cala's presence in the South West of England has taken a significant step forward. The expertise within our team and success of our high-quality, sustainable homes across England, has given us the confidence to invest in Cala Southern.
"Cala is well-positioned to achieve our goal of building over 4,000 homes by 2029, across the Group. Aligned with this ambition, our team throughout the UK are proactively looking to invest in sites with and without planning permission, for both short-term and future development. They have the skill and financial backing to unlock potential across the full range of planning and development opportunities.
"We're delighted to welcome Rod to the Cala Southern business. His extensive experience and deep understanding of the local market and our customer profile will further strengthen our team as they continue to invest in opportunities across the new patch."
![](https://www.construction.co.uk/newsimages/1_316295_nottingham.jpg)
14/02/2025
Nottingham City Council has signed a £12.6 million contract with Balfour Beatty to deliver an 85-metre long walking and cycling bridge over the River Trent.
The bridge, which will span the river at 20 metres high, is set to become a key infrastructure link, connecting the north side of the river—wh
![](https://www.construction.co.uk/newsimages/1_316287_gmiconstruction.jpg)
14/02/2025
GMI Construction Group has officially broken ground on one of the largest regeneration projects in Grimsby's history, the transformation of Freshney Place into a vibrant leisure, retail, and food hub, complemented by a modern market.
The redevelopment, backed by both the Government and North East L
![](https://www.construction.co.uk/newsimages/1_316303_salford.jpg)
14/02/2025
Salford City Council has approved plans for the construction of 25 affordable homes across two locations in the city, aimed at providing much-needed supported accommodation for young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
The first development, located on Bridgewater Street in Little H
![](https://www.construction.co.uk/newsimages/1_316304_pentwyn.jpg)
14/02/2025
Work has officially begun on a new 25-metre swimming pool at Pentwyn Leisure Centre, Cardiff, as part of an exciting upgrade to the facility.
The project, being carried out by Cardiff Council’s appointed contractor, is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
The new pool will feature a r
![](https://www.construction.co.uk/newsimages/1_316306_calahomes.jpg)
14/02/2025
Homebuilder Cala has launched a new business division, Cala Southern, as part of its growth strategy across the South of England.
Cala Southern will spearhead the company's westward expansion, enhancing Cala's presence in Dorset, Hampshire and Southern Wiltshire, to meet strong demand for high-qual
![](https://www.construction.co.uk/newsimages/1_316283_byronquarter.jpg)
14/02/2025
Harrow is set to see the creation of 149 new family homes, including new council properties, following the approval of phase one of the Byron Quarter development.
In a partnership between the London Borough of Harrow and Wates Residential, the project will transform underutilised council-owned land
![](https://www.construction.co.uk/newsimages/1_316293_barhale.jpg)
14/02/2025
Barhale and Flannery have partnered with JCB to conduct the first in-field trial of the equipment manufacturer's groundbreaking hydrogen-powered backhoe loader.
The trial, which took place at Lower Penn, a Severn Trent Water project on the outskirts of Wolverhampton, saw the innovative 3CX loader p
![](https://www.construction.co.uk/newsimages/1_316281_mclaren.jpg)
14/02/2025
McLaren Construction Midlands and North is making impressive progress on a major student accommodation development at 77 Talbot Street, Nottingham, with the £25.8m project set to welcome students by September 2025.
The nine-storey building, designed by Leonard Design Architects, is being constructe
![](https://www.construction.co.uk/newsimages/1_316308_manchester.jpg)
14/02/2025
Manchester has been allocated £1.5 million by the Government to support the next phase of regeneration in Collyhurst, located in north Manchester.
The funding forms part of the larger Victoria North regeneration programme, a transformative project aimed at revitalising the area.
The grant will be
![](https://www.construction.co.uk/newsimages/1_316305_overstone.jpg)
14/02/2025
Construction work has officially commenced on Overstone Park Primary School, a state-of-the-art, non-selective, state-funded educational facility at the Overstone Leys development in north-east Northampton.
The milestone was marked by a groundbreaking ceremony which signalled the start of a major p