West Midlands construction opportunities grow

West Midlands construction opportunities are growing as the region records the strongest increase in project starts in the UK and builds a substantial pipeline of future work.

Glenigan research identified more than 1,800 approved West Midlands construction projects expected to start on site over the next 12 months, spanning residential, industrial, logistics and energy developments.

Key opportunities include the Plateau 2 residential scheme in Dudley (Project ID: 18408760), Paradise Point industrial development in Coventry (Project ID: 25183919) and the £154.7 million SEGRO Park Gateway project (Project ID: 25460292, pictured).

Glenigan’s construction research shows a 59% rise in the value of project starts at an underlying level (schemes up to £100 million) in the second quarter of 2026.

Although the latest quarterly starts figure for the region is 14% below the previous quarter, there is a strong pipeline of work coming up in the West Midlands.

Glenigan’s research identified more than 1,800 projects at an underlying level with detailed planning permission and expected to start construction in the next 12 months.

The private housing sector has the largest pipeline of approved schemes. These range from Deeley Properties’ plans for 42 retirement flats in Nuneaton, where work should begin this Autumn (Project ID: 25561386), to more phases in ongoing major developments such as the Plateau 2 scheme in Dudley with work on 191 flats expected to start in early 2027 (Project ID: 18408760).

Industrial plans

The West Midlands’ position at the centre of the country has long made the region an optimum place for industrial and logistics schemes. These offer the next largest pipeline of work with 264 approved projects.

Schemes range from Rula Development’s £8.5 million Paradise Point industrial scheme in Coventry (Project ID: 25183919), to a £19.9 million scheme for five warehouse units in Tipton (Project ID: 08161074). Work is expected to start on both schemes in September.

Major projects

There is also a strong programme of major projects in the pipeline, with detailed planning permission and due to start construction over the next 12 months.

This ranges from battery storage schemes, including a £200 million plant at Ansty in Coventry (Project ID: 23277489) and a similar value proposal based nearby at Little Beanit Farm (Project ID: 22257774), to major industrial schemes such as the £154.7 million SEGRO Park Gateway (Project ID: 25460292). This development should commence on site early next summer.

Several major residential frameworks should provide the successful contractors with steady workflow over the next few years.

These include the Community Housing & Investment Consortium’s £158 million roofing systems and related works agreement, which will run from November up to 2030, and Platform Housing’s £172.8 million complex repairs and major voids contract, which will run until 2029 (Project ID: 26205032).

West Midlands Top 10

Winvic, which specialises in industrial and logistics schemes, has won the most work in the West Midlands over the last 12 months.
Industrial jobs include a £44.3 million deal for three units at Panattoni Park in Coventry (Project ID: 25418636). Winvic is also taking on major schemes in other sectors, including the £130 million Oasis Southside residential development in Birmingham (Project ID: 21291011).

Source: Glenigan

Residential work has buoyed orders at other leading contractors in the region, such as Caddick, which is building the £83 million Bicycle Works development comprising 331 flats in Wolverhampton (Project ID: 12237420).

Work in the same city also propelled Royal BAM into second place with a £67.4 million extension to Royal Wolverhampton School (Project ID: 21132800), contributing to a £132 million order book.

Positive outlook

With a range of work in many sectors, the West Midlands looks set to provide plenty of opportunities for contractors.