Council pulls £274m road scheme over bat rowNorfolk County Council has withdrawn its planning application for the £274m Norwich Western Link road amid an ongoing row with Natural England over protected bats.
The government conservation advisory body decided to confer “favourable conservation status” on Barbastelle bats in the region last March just days before the application was due to b…
£500m house building framework opens for bidsContractors and consultants are being invited to apply for spots on a North West social housing consortium’s £500m framework.
The invitation to tender has opened with three lots for contractors and seven for consultants for JV North’s framework.
Construction lots range from upwards to £4m, £4m to £12m and £12m and over.
Consultant lots ar…
Government faces £49bn estate maintenance backlogThe government is facing a massive £49bn maintenance backlog across its public estate.
According to spending watchdog the National Audit Office, the staggering figure highlights the urgent need for a comprehensive strategy to manage assets, alongside long-term investment planning.
The NAO found that properties owned by the Ministry of Defence,…
HG Construction names new MDHG Construction has named Greg Purkiss as its new managing director completing the final phase of its corporate restructure.
Purkiss’ appointment comes following significant structural changes across the business over the past year, with the establishment of a new operational board and appointment of dedicated construction directors with regiona…
Sellafield awards £95m industrial services frameworkIndustrial services contractor Kaeffer has clinched a four-year framework deal for work at the Sellafield site in Cumbria.
The contractor will supply access systems plus asbestos and insulation support under a new arrangement to replace the past Sellafield Industrial Services Framework.
Under the £95m deal, Kaeffer will design, manufactur…
Plasterer in court for Covid loan fraudA Lancashire plasterer who overstated his business’s turnover to secure a maximum-value Covid loan spent the funds on groceries, gambling, fantasy football, and almost 40 withdrawals from cash machines.
Jordan Allen, 39, was sentenced to 16 months in prison, suspended for two years, when he appeared at Preston Crown Court on Monday.
Allen, of…
Government to signal backing for London airports expansionThe government is reported to be poised to give its backing for major expansion plans at London airports.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected next week to signal her support for a third runway at Heathrow, a second runway at Gatwick, and a near doubling of Luton Airport’s capacity.
According to leaks she will give the green light for…
Industry’s best construction managers revealedThe shortlist of construction managers set to compete for industry’s most prestigious award has been revealed.
The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has now picked the professionals who stand a chance of being crowned Construction Manager of the Year.
The full list of those in the running for the prize is below.
The winner will be revealed…
Hospital building plan extended by a decade – full listThe government has allocated an annual average spend of £3bn for a rephased new hospital programme that will now take a decade longer to deliver.
Following a fresh review, the Government confirmed all previously planned hospitals will be delivered but over a longer time frame of start times extending to 2039.
Hospital projects will b…
Kier launches £20m share buyback as debt cutStrong trading and cash generation in the first half of the year saw Kier strengthen its balance sheet shrinking average monthly debt to £38m from £137m previously.
The improved financial position saw chief executive Andrew Davies launch a £20m share buyback programme this morning.
In an upbeat trading update for the first six month he said Kier…