In today’s news, we will look into the construction industry’s anticipation about a slowdown in the number of new building projects in the coming year. At Imjin Barracks, construction has started on the brand new Single Living Accommodation. In response to recent increases in the cost of steel, many contractors have taken defensive stances. A building company from Blackburn was given a punishment of £116,000 for safety violations on construction sites. The Stirling Project is pleased to announce the completion of its first phase. The construction of the Greggs Drive-Thru in Bradford has begun.

Construction firms expect fewer new projects next year

Original Source: Construction firms predict reduction in new building projects next year

For the first time in more than a year, construction companies in Wales have negative workload predictions.

The RICS Construction & Infrastructure Monitor for the third quarter of 2022 surveyed construction companies about their upcoming workloads.

The majority of respondents projected lower workloads (-4%). This could reduce new construction next year.

This is down from 14% in the previous quarter and 49% at the same time last year, according to researchers.

Respondents said labour limitations, lack of materials, and budgetary constraints were limiting activities.

More than half cited shortages of quantity surveyors and other construction experts.

In the most recent quarter, 15% of respondents reported increasing workloads. Two quarters ago, this was 37%.

Jamieson Edwards of Uzmaston Projects in Haverfordwest observed, “Material supply channels have challenges.” Costs and trade labour quality are rising.â€�

RICS Chief Economist Simon Rubinsohn said, “The deteriorating macro climate is taking a toll on the construction industry, with access to credit listed as a critical constraint for enterprises alongside building materials and labour.”

“The RICS metric measuring skill shortages in the industry has not budged in recent quarters, with quantity surveyors and skilled craftspeople in short supply.

“The shift in economic outlook is particularly obvious in the residential and commercial sectors, where workloads are expected to flatline next year. Continuing commitments to huge projects sustain infrastructure activity.

Imjin Barracks starts building single-living quarters

Original Source: Construction begins on new Single Living Accommodation at Imjin Barracks

The DIO’s £13M project will improve communal living for British Army soldiers.

The £13m project at Imjin Barracks, procured by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) on behalf of the British Army, will produce 69 new single ensuite bedrooms and redesigned living and kitchen/diner facilities.

The Imjin project is the first of a new wave of carbon net-zero buildings that will improve Service members’ SLA. The structures are meant to support military troops that live there.

Director Basing and Infrastructure, Major General Richard Clements CBE, was joined by Rob Vining from DIO and members of the project’s appointed contractor, REDS10, and technical service provider, Arcadis, to commemorate the beginning of building of a new SLA block at Imjin Barracks, Gloucester.

Director of Basing & Infrastructure, Major General Richard Clements CBE:

Celebrating the start of construction at Imjin Barracks. Imjin is the first post to benefit from the Army’s Single Living Accommodation Programme, which will invest £1.2bn and produce 8,500 SLA bed spaces over 10 years. This is in addition to the 8,000 SLA bedspaces given by DEOPA. Investing in our service members’ housing is a top priority. We listened to our soldiers’ feedback to improve their lives.

The SLA Programme will modernise under-invested, essential Army locations. It will focus on removing the last multi-occupancy rooms and renewing the estate’s oldest housing, boosting the average SLA condition from ‘fair’ to ‘good’

Deputy Head of Major Programs and Projects (Army) Rob Vining said:

I’m happy to honour this important milestone with the British Army, REDS10, and Arcadis as we break ground on the first of many new carbon net-zero SLA blocks.

The new blocks will improve the lives of Service members and reflect Defence’s commitment to carbon net-zero by 2050.

I’m impressed by the work my DIO colleagues and Industry Partners have done thus far and look forward to the Army handover in Summer 2023.

Reds10 will build the block utilising contemporary techniques (MMC). 90% of the work can be done elsewhere, speeding delivery. The building uses less energy. The building will incorporate solar panels, air source heat pumps for heating and hot water, and a SMART building management system that learns from sensor data to run efficiently.

REDS10 Chairman Paul Ruddick said:

It’s great to collaborate with DIO and the British Army to improve military members’ lives. Imjin Barracks’ triple-story structure will use MMC for faster delivery, lower carbon, and superior quality products. Design and construction are determined by how Service personnel will use the area.

As demand falls, contractors resist steel pricing hikes

Original Source: Contractors push-back on steel price hikes as demand softens

Turner & Townsend observed early signs of diminishing tender price inflation.

Material costs may stay high due to rising energy expenses, but increased production costs are less likely to be transferred through the supply chain, according to the firm’s latest tender price projection.

T&T claimed contractors pushed back against recent British Steel price hikes, with demand softening and fabricators unwilling to pay the premium.

The cost consultant predicted more clients will delay, defer, or scale back projects in the coming months due to cost monitoring.

Martin Sudweeks, UK managing director of Cost Management, said construction supply chains must drive additional reductions to control costs or the industry may be forced to roll back net-zero progress.

T&T cost analysts estimate building tender price inflation of 9% this year, 0.3 percentage points more than their Summer 2022 forecast.

Despite much of 2022’s inflationary rise in the first half of the year, the industry is still feeling inflationary pressure.

In 2023, tender price inflation should be 3.5% for building and 4.5% for infrastructure.

Weaker demand, supply chain adjustments, and fiscal policy changes will cause this.

Given that modern, energy-efficient technologies and materials are rarely the cheapest, a desire to minimise costs may encourage the construction industry – and its clients – to reign in their sustainability ambitions.

“To prevent this, the industry must make reasonable, whole-life decisions and drive efficiency to keep its net-zero goal on track.”

The appropriate mix of talent and technology may make construction and procurement more sustainable and cost-effective.

Turbocharging productivity and allowing decision-makers to balance short-term costs and long-term economic and social rewards.

He said organisations should utilise the right mix of tools and practises to enhance production while maintaining environmental priorities.

These include sustainable procurement, lean structures and processes, a digital-first approach across the supply chain, and a programmatic approach.

Blackburn construction company fined £116,000 for safety violations

Original Source: Blackburn building firm fined £116,000 for construction site safety failings

A Blackburn construction company was fined £116,666 and ordered to pay £8,294.40 in court costs for safety violations.

Mulberry Homes Limited failed to plan, manage, and monitor health and safety on English building sites, according to the HSE.

Mulberry Homes Limited received Notification of Contravention (NoC) letters, which detail how firms may improve and offer advice.

Due to dangerous work, the company received many Improvement and Prohibition Notices.

Despite this, the company consistently failed to guarantee work on its sites was done properly and without health concerns, including in Aintree, Liverpool, Middleton, Rochdale, and Thorncliffe Road, Barrow-in-Furness.

Mulberry Homes Limited didn’t meet legal requirements.

Alistair Wilcock, as managing director of Mulberry Homes Limited, should have ensured HSE concerns were addressed and maintained.

Mr Wilcock of Deer Park, Accrington, was cautioned for infringing section 37 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 for the company’s neglect of rule 13 of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.

HSE inspector Matt Greenly said, “Companies have a responsibility of care to their employees, and HSE won’t hesitate to take enforcement action against those who fall short.”

“Mulberry Homes and Mr. Wilcock had every opportunity to enhance standards and maintain them, but they failed and put workers and contractors at risk.

“Mulberry Homes Limited, and its previous company name Paddle Limited, has a long history of HSE enforcement and prosecutions. It is hoped that this case will serve as a wake-up call for them to ensure that their management is robust enough to maintain any health and safety improvements they make in the future.”

Blackburn’s Mulberry Homes Limited pleaded guilty to breaking Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.

The firm was fined £116,666 and ordered to pay costs of £8,294.40 at Manchester Crown Court on Monday (October 31). (October 31).

It is agreed by HSE that responsibility for compliance with the applicable regulations was not restricted to Mr Wilcock.

Stirling Project initial phase complete

Original Source: Stirling Project celebrates first phase of completion

The first phase of Plymouth’s latest veterans’ self-build project is complete.

On the site of a former residential care home on Honicknowle Green, nine previously homeless veterans built 25 inexpensive homes to rent.

Thanks to a cooperation between Plymouth City Council, LiveWest, and Alabaré, 12 of the plots are being developed by veterans.

With three new homes built, a veteran and his family may move in, along with two other families in need of housing.

Every finished home is entirely electrified with air source heat pumps and good energy efficiency.

Councillor Rebecca Smith, Cabinet member for Home and Communities, said, “I’m very thrilled that the Stirling Project has reached this milestone and that families will benefit from the vets’ hard work.”

The project’s first phase looks great, and I can’t wait to see it completed next year.

Russell Baldwinson, LiveWest’s Executive Director of Development, said it’s great to see three new houses finished and customers moving in.

We worked with Alabaré Veterans Self-Build Scheme to allocate up to 12 properties in the development to war veterans.

“They’ve been offered the chance to participate in the scheme’s build, overseen by the contractor, to earn experience and maybe qualify. “It’s excellent to give more affordable homes in the city.”

Chief Operating Officer for Alabaré Veterans Self-Build, Major (Ret’d) Ken Hames MBE, said: “Alabaré’s second veteran self-build project in Plymouth marks a key milestone in our delivery of transitional programmes for veterans. We’re not simply creating homes; we’re building lives by offering the proper support and challenge to gain skills, obtain a job, and live independently.

Self-build is a metaphor for growth and exciting possibilities, and I applaud the scheme’s resilience and social influence. We are already looking forward to the next scheme where we will continue our quest to give high performance success factors and true hope to veterans who have suffered in civilian life.

Adrian Colwill joined the Royal Artillery at 16 and later managed a hotel after leaving the service.

Adrian had mental health issues after leaving the military that left him on the verge of homelessness.

Adrian is enjoying a new chapter after joining the Stirling Project and finishing his own home.

Adrian remarked, “It’s not only about building a home, but giving me access to talents and trades I wouldn’t ordinarily have.” This experience has prepared me for my future profession.

It’s inconceivable that I’ve been assisted this way.

“It’s humbling that Plymouth City Council, LiveWest, Alabare, and Coye Construction have come together to help veterans.

It means I have a future, not simply a house.

My family cried when we learned we’d get the keys before Christmas. It is more than we could have asked for and will be a great gift.â€�

The Stirling Project commenced in July 2021 after the Nelson Project in October 2017.

This multi-award-winning plan built 24 homes, including 12 self-build homes for veterans and 12 mixed-use affordable homes with supportive housing.

Totnes-based Coyde Construction will build Form Design’s Stirling House proposal.

Nineteen of the 25 residences will be one- and two-bedroom flats and two-, three-, and four-bedroom homes.

Once built, LiveWest will rent all of the homes at a subsidised rate to low-income households.

The four-bedroom house is also wheelchair-accessible, addressing a scarcity in the city.

The project will be funded by Homes England.

Bradford’s Greggs Drive-Thru construction begins

Original Source: Greggs Drive-Thru building work in Bradford begins

Bradford’s first Greggs Drive-Thru is under construction but won’t open for months.

The Council approved the new restaurant on Rooley Lane in October, and construction is underway.

It replaces the demolished Cross Keys Pub in 2021.

The new Greggs will be the first of its sort in West Yorkshire.

It was meant to be the chain’s only drive-thru in Yorkshire when 5aphire LTD had their plans approved, but a Greggs outlet with that facility opened in December last year in Sheffield.

When will the Bradford store open?

A drive-thru shell has been visible for months.

Greggs said the new store won’t open until 2023, with no date or month offered.

In 2023, Greggs will open a drive-thru in Bradford. We can’t reveal anything now, but will in the following months.â€�

The T&A was told the new Greggs would produce 20 to 25 employees and be open 6am to 10pm.

The Cross Keys Pub’s big parking lot was empty when the plans were approved.

Fly-tipping and antisocial behaviour plagued it before October 2021.

The Greggs application noted the bar closed “well before the Pandemic” and there was “no realistic chance” of it reopening shortly.

Summary of today’s construction news

Overall, we discussed today Welsh construction companies expect fewer business for the first time in a year. Most respondents expected lighter schedules (-4%). This could postpone construction next year. The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) is building 69 new single ensuite bedrooms and remodelling living and kitchen/dining areas at Imjin Barracks for £13 million. This will help British Army soldiers stationed together. Turner & Townsend observed early signs of tender price inflation levelling off. Health and safety violations cost Blackburn’s Mulberry Homes Limited £116,666 and £8,294.40 in court fees. The HSE says they were irresponsible in ensuring worker safety on English building sites. Plymouth’s latest veteran self-build initiative reaches a milestone. Plymouth City Council, LiveWest, and Alabaré gave 12 plots to veterans to develop homes and businesses. It will be months before the first Greggs Drive-Thru opens in Bradford. The pub will be replaced in 2021. Greggs’ new West Yorkshire outlet will be a category pioneer.