News

A surge in housebuilding since the beginning of the year maintained construction activity in the first quarter at levels not seen since 2007, according to a survey of the construction sector. Housing The Markit purchasing managers’ index (PMI) recorded a rise in housebuilding activity to 64.2 in March, offsetting a slowdown in civil engineering to keep expansion in the sector at historic highs. The survey of 170 construction firms found that overall activity remained steady at 62.5, marginally down from 62.6 in February and well ahead of the 50 mark that separates growth from contraction. The improving weather in March after February’s rain and floods also boosted housebuilding, Rob Wood, chief UK economist at investment bank Berenberg, said the construction sector was now roaring ahead, supported by low interest rates, the government’…

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The Markit/CIPS Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), a survey of 170 construction companies, edged down to 62.5 in March, barely changed from 62.6 in February and far above the 50 mark that denotes growth. While economists polled by Reuters had expected a rise to 63.0, the survey showed Britain’s builders in buoyant mood last month, with optimism rising to its highest level since January 2007 and firms hiring staff at the fastest pace in four months. Britain’s construction industry, which accounts for about 7 percent of Britain’s economy, was hit hard by the financial crisis of 2007-09. But it has been recovering since last year thanks to a combination of record low interest rates, government programmes to encourage people to buy new homes and falling unemployment. The government announced last month that it would extend …

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The Merseylink Consortium has reached financial close with Halton Borough Council to start construction of the £450m Mersey Gateway Project. The council claims to have slashed £250m from original cost estimates set three years ago on what is the first project to go-ahead supported by a UK Government Guaranteed Bond. Work will now start next month on a project, 20 years after the need for the bridge was first identified. Kier Infrastructure is one of the three Merseylink partners which include Korean Samsung C&T Corporation and Spanish FCC Construcción. The six-lane approach road and bridge project will employ around 470 permanent full-time equivalent jobs on site during construction. Steve Nicholson, the project director leading up to financial close, said: “When we set out our procurement …

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Some 3D printing initiatives are more ambitious than producing jewellery or multi-dimensional images of the family. The 3D Print Canal House Project from DUS Architects in Amsterdam is looking to print housing with new resources derived from bio-based raw materials, or with recycled plastics. DUS calls it a collaboration in research and doing, linking science, design, construction and community, by 3D printing a canal house at an expo-site in the very heart of Amsterdam’. The 3D Print Canal House is printed with the KamerMaker and each design comprises several room types, with each room  printed separately on site. The separate rooms are assembled into connected floors, and then stacked into an entire house. Rooms can easily be disconnected in case the building needs to be relocated. …

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Nearly 10,000 solar panels are being installed on farmland in Monk Sherborne, The solar farm is being built by Lightsource Renewable Energy at Hill End Farm, in Aldermaston Road, after Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council approved the company’s plans in December. The 6.37-hectare site is now being transformed into a 2.8megawatt solar farm, which will generate enough power for 806 homes. The site will generate enough renewable energy to save around 1,375,220kg of CO2 emissions per year – the equivalent of removing 305 cars from the road each year. Lightsource, which has installed solar panels on the roofs of over 100 schools in the UK, has been granted permission for a temporary solar farm. At the end of its operational life, of between 30 and 35 years, all equipment associated with the farm…

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The Chancellor set out plans to give smaller house builders access to a £500m fund to stimulate small local projects. The finance pot formed part of a set of measures that George Osborne claimed would support building of 200,000 new homes. Until now Government guarantee schemes were limited to support for major infrastructure projects being developed by major house builders. In 1988 two-thirds of all new homes were built by small and medium sized builders, but that figure now stands at less than a third. The Builders Finance Fund hopes to galvanise local housing projects with  loans to smaller housing developers. It estimated that the fund will unlock 15,000 housing units stalled due to difficulty in accessing finance. He said that the Government would also back three vast housing schemes: a garden …

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Alumno Developments has been granted planning permission for a major student accommodation project at the Eastside Locks in Birmingham. Construction of three buildings, ranging in height from 9 storeys to 13 storeys to provide 625 student bedrooms can no start later this year. The City Locks scheme designed by Glenn Howells Architects is expected to cost around £40m to build and will be located near to the site of the proposed HS2 terminus. David Campbell, managing director at Alumno, said: “ Eastside Locks is one of the largest regeneration projects in the country and the student accommodation developments will kick start the further developments set to emerge on the site.” Contractors Balfour Beatty, GB Building and Shepherd have each worked with Alumno on previous student projects. Last week the developer also…

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Costain is seeking planning permission to develop a major solar farm on disused land north of Heathrow. The proposed scheme on land owned by Costain since the early 1960s could generate 5.5MW of energy, enough to power around 1,650 homes. The 37-acre site, near Sipson Road and Holloway Lane in the London Borough of Hillingdon, was originally used for gravel extraction. Later it was used by the local council for landfill and sealed and reinstated in 1972 before being returned to Costain. Due to its poor state, the land has since been unused and undeveloped. Costain said a solar farm could be a viable proposition, in the light of new planning guidance encouraging energy from renewable sources. Ian Shervell of Costain’s Investments Team, said: “A number of projects have …

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Durham County Council says it will recommend for approval a plan that promises 31,400 new homes; 9500 sq m of new retail floorspace and land for warehousing and offices. Planning The County Durham-wide plans, which include proposals for each of the county’s 12 main towns and for rural areas, are expected to be agreed next month and set the agenda leading up to 2030. If approved, the strategy would be referred to the Government for approval and could be adopted by 2015. Cllr Neil Foster, Cabinet member for economic development, said: “We welcome the positive feedback and appreciate the time everyone has taken to give us their comments. This is a hugely important document and we look forward to it getting the formal go-ahead and are ready to make sure it …

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Canary Wharf Group has received planning to build its first major residential tower on the east London Docklands site. The 58-storey Diamond Tower takes its name from the repeat pattern of the shell supporting steelwork, which will  soar 218m into the sky. The London Borough of Tower Hamlets has granted planning permission for the tower and it will be referred to the Mayor of London who is expected to rubber stamp final approval. The development marks a new stage in the evolution of Canary Wharf, which first opened in the early 1990s. It is the first of several major residential tower block schemes  to get the green light planned around Canary Wharf on the Isle of Dogs. The tower will include 566 apartments, as well as shops and a health …

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