News

Ray O’Rourke is planning to pilot a new prefabricated concrete panel building system on his own multi-million pound mansion in Essex. O’Rourke received planning after winning an appeal to knock down his existing £7m arts and craft home to replace it with a two-storey mansion with basement. The new home in the exclusive Essex village of Fryerning will be built from large concrete panels, a system produced at the firm’s factory in Steetley. The method is part of a programme of building research being undertaken with the University of Cambridge with the aim of providing bespoke designs that can be delivered at speed. So far the firm has used it to build schools and offices and O’Rourke is understood to be keen to use a similar approach …

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The government has given its seal of approval to an exciting new development at Newquay Cornwall Airport. Constructed by a team at Rubb Buildings Limited, Aerohub will offer 25,000sq ft of space for aircraft storage and maintenance tasks carried out at Newquay Cornwall Airport. In fact, the hangar is already home to a new CIS UK Ltd facility and the site for Apple Aviation to carry out repairs, overhauls and recycling of aircrafts. Upon visiting the travel hub to explore the new Aerohub hangar, Local Growth Minister Kris Hopkins declared that the facility is “helping [England] to create an economy driven by private sector growth”. Mr Hopkins commented: “It is fantastic to see businesses choosing Newquay as their British base and winning new business in decommissioning aircraft….

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If you are about to embark on a major property renovation project, there are a number of tips you should be aware of to help ensure everything goes according to plan. Planning The majority of renovation projects go wrong as a result of inadequate planning, so before you even think about making a start, spend some time checking every last detail of your plans and costings. Your first task is to set a budget; only you know how much you can afford to spend. Having arrived at a maximum figure, deduct between 10% and 20% to retain for contingencies. Many renovation projects have a tendency to overrun, so it pays to keep a little spare cash in hand. Next, identify the precise scope of the project and …

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Wooden flooring for the home: does it have to be hard work? There are many myths about wooden flooring, not least that it takes a tremendous effort to maintain. In fact, though it does need care, this is not significantly greater than the amount of care you’ll have to take to look after carpet, linoleum or tiles, and it can last a great deal longer than those. Your floor needs you! Wooden floors need love. Although they can last for years – even decades – if properly cared for, neglect can lead to them becoming dry and damaged. Once there, scuffing and scratching takes significant effort to remove. If you use a hardwax oil to protect the wood, it will be much more resistant to damage. The …

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We understand that the £600m Ram Brewery site in south-west London is the latest scheme to be hit by the phenomenon. Developers at the Wandsworth site are believed to be approaching new bidders to potentially tender for the job. Kier is favourite for the scheme with Brookfield originally its main rival. But we understand Brookfield has pulled-out of the race leaving developer the Greenland Group to explore other options for its Ram Quarter scheme. A source close to the scheme said: “The word is Brookfield has decided not to return tenders. “The developer is now talking to other potential bidders and sounding out what else is out there in the market.” Greenland is overseeing basement work on the site with Keltbray carrying out demolition …

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New images released by Crossrail reveal the project’s progress as it hits the 60% complete mark. More than 23 miles (nearly 90%) of train tunnels are now complete, with tunnelling due to finish in spring next year. Six of Crossrail’s eight tunnelling machines have now completed their drives. The construction of ten new stations in central and southeast London is more than half complete. Andrew Wolstenholme, Crossrail Chief Executive said: “Crossrail is being delivered on time and on budget. “These fantastic images show the scale of work taking place around the clock beneath the streets of London. We are on schedule to provide London and the South East with a fantastic new railway in 2018.” More than 10,000 people are working directly on Crossrail at around 40 construction sites. Over …

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The low pitch on flat roofs means they are prone to leaks. The damage caused can go unnoticed for long periods of time, as it affects the concealed structures directly beneath the roof. This also means repair is extremely expensive, and can significantly inconvenience the residents or business within the building. A variety of membranes are used to help waterproof flat roofs, but these often require a lot of maintenance. Without proper upkeep, they are prone to penetration by rainwater, as well as sun damage and fungal growth. Resulting rot or blowing of brickwork means a full roof replacement may be required, at huge expense. Many proprietors are starting to see the benefits of liquid roofing, a process that creates a durable, seamless watertight seal on flat …

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Growth of Conveyancing

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Steelwork specialist Mabey Bridge is planning to close one of its sites in Chepstow and sell another, with the possible loss of over 300 jobs. The firm has started consultation with the 150-strong workforce at its Station Road infrastructure division site which specialises in bridges. It has also revealed it is looking for a buyer for its specialist renewables factory at another site in Chepstow, where 180 people are employed. The proposal follows a comprehensive review of the Mabey Bridge business and will effectively see the firm pull out of traditional heavy bridge construction The steelwork contractor said it was confident the proposed changes will help build a stronger, more sustainable future for Mabey Bridge’s modular bridge business in Lydney in Gloucestershire. The firm presently employs around 130 staff at …

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Morrison Construction’s Michael Martin has taken over as project director of the consortium building the £1.4bn Queensferry Crossing. Transport Scotland is expected to confirm this week that he has taken over from Hochtief’s Carlo Germani, who was chief engineer for the Forth Crossing Bridge Const­ructors consortium. Germani announced he was leaving the project last month after nearly four years heading the bridge building team to take up a new job in Qatar. Martin, 61, has represented Galliford Try-owned Morrison on the four-company consortium for two years and will now take over the chief role for delivering the new Forth bridge project. The Carlisle-born engineer started his career with Ove Arup and was involved in both the Kessock Bridge in Inverness and the building of …

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