Planning officers to get powers to bypass committee stage for housingPlanning officers will be able to bypass council committees to speed through approval of housing schemes under plans launched today by deputy prime minister and housing secretary Angela Rayner.
Under push to modernise the planning approval process, applications that comply with local development plans could bypass the lengthy…
National Insurance hike to delay construction recoveryIncreases to employer’s National Insurance Contributions (NICs) next April will add an estimated 0.75%–1% to construction costs and contribute to delaying a full industry recovery to 2026.
The latest Market View report from Arcadis titled Stuck in the Middle highlights the challenges posed by stubborn inflation, escalating costs, and…
Gratte Bros rides out cost rises with profit increaseFamily-owned building services specialist Gratte Brother has ridden out industry cost pressures to deliver a small rise in profit.
Over the year to March 2024, pre-tax profit edged up to £2.7m from £2.5m previously on turnover slightly ahead at £226m.
Despite the improvement in trading, the data centre and commercial M&E fit-out contractor…
Sellar’s 36-storey London City office tower approvedJoint developers Sellar and Japanese developer Obayashi Properties has secured planning for a 36-storey landmark office tower in the City of London.
The proposed tower at 60 Gracechurch Street that will link the main City cluster to the Walkie-talkie on the capital’s skyline.
Demolition will start at the site once vacant possession is…
Historic property magazine to closeProperty magazine and data business EG has announced it will be closing down next year.
The title – formerly know as Estates Gazette – has been in business since 1858.
An announcement today said: “The group’s parent company has taken the tough decision to start the process of withdrawing all EG products and services from the market during 2025.
“After…
M&S Marble Arch rebuild approved after three-year planning fightAngela Rayner has granted approval for the £480m redevelopment of the M&S store at Marble Arch following a planning wrangle lasting more than three years
The retail giant submitted a planning application to redevelop the store in March 2021.
But previous Secretary of State Michael Gove refused plans last summer for M&S to demolis…
PM pledges to fast-track 150 infrastructure schemesThe Prime Minister has committed to speed-up development consent order decisions on 150 infrastructure schemes to turbocharge economic growth across the country.
The pledge to drive through planning on infrastructure and house building during this Parliament were laid out today as one of the Government’s six new milestones in a new nationa…
Buyers report boom in commercial workConstruction buyers have reported the strongest rise in commercial work in two-and-a-half years.
The booming sector helped drive the bellwether S&P Global UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index up to 55.2 in November – up slightly from 54.3 in October – and above the neutral 50.0 threshold for nine months running.
Tim Moore, Economics Director at S&P…
Plans in for £250m Stockport 8 housing-led schemeStockport Council and development partner ECF have submitted plans for the £250m Stockport 8 mixed neighbourhood to the west of the town centre.
The ECF joint venture of Homes England, Legal & General and Muse aims to build 1,300 homes with spaces for shops, leisure and offices at street level.
The 8-acre site is adjacent to the town’s historic…
Galliford Try tops monthly contracts leagueGalliford Try was the most successful work-winning contractor in November securing a dozen projects.
The firm’s big orders was the £135m Wigan Galleries town centre redevelopment project, one of Greater Manchester’s most ambitious regeneration projects to deliver new homes, leisure and retail facilities as well as a modern market, food hall and…