Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
UK Construction News Archive for September 2008
30/09/2008
Birmingham's council leader, Mike Whitby, will lead a Conservative backlash over empty rates next week as the stealth tax on vacant commercial property begins to damage regeneration and business across the Midlands. The Tory council leader is set to say that the removal of empty property rate relie
30/09/2008
Results from a piece of research by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) have exposed a lack of leadership within the construction industry. Over 650 directors and managers in the construction industry, many of whom work for companies employing more than 500 people, were unable to name any in
30/09/2008
Across the UK, houses are selling at an average of nine percent below the asking price with sellers in some regions being forced to accept as much as 12.5% discount off their advertised price, according to the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) research published today. As economic funda
30/09/2008
The East Midlands Development Agency (emda) has signed a contract with Laing O'Rourke, which will see a contribution of £4.65 million made towards the company's multi-million pound remediation programme at Steetley, on the north Notts/Derbyshire border. The new Steetley facility, which started on s
30/09/2008
Central Networks this week became the UK's first electricity distributor to switch on an innovative system designed to connect the country's growing number of wind farms without the need for new overhead power lines. The Ofgem-backed Registered Power Zone (RPZ) will allow some renewable energy gene
30/09/2008
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is introducing a new scheme developed to help more disabled people work in the housing sector. Over the next five years CIH wants to help place and train 120 disabled people with some of the sector's most progressive housing organisations. CIH has spent th
30/09/2008
A blueprint for a new city centre for Coventry has been unveiled following a consultation exercise with local people. The billion pound plus comprehensive plan is likely to see a mix of uses including residential, retail, leisure and community. The new city centre could include green parks and open
30/09/2008
Ambitious plans to erect a gateway sculpture at the entrance to Pontypridd in Wales have now been unveiled. Andy Hazell, a Sculptor from Knighton Powys, was selected from 77 national and international artists to design an iconic landmark feature for the roundabout adjacent to the A470 in Pontypridd
30/09/2008
MAM Software has announced that it will again exhibit at this year's Interbuild exhibition, held at the NEC, Birmingham from 26 - 30 October 2008. The event is seen as an ideal opportunity for MAM to unveil its latest business management solutions to a dedicated merchant audience. Situated withi
30/09/2008
The Technology and Construction Court has thrown out an attempt to refer a dispute to a second adjudicator which it found to be materially the same as that already referred to adjudicator. The court commented that the contractor was trying to make up for the failures of its first attempt to adjudica
29/09/2008
Centrica, the owner of British Gas, has announced that it has acquired Solar Technologies for £2.8 million in cash including the repayment of debt. The acquisition will enable British Gas to install solar photovoltaic (PV) technology1 in the UK and will build on its aim of becoming the leading pr
29/09/2008
Annual house prices in England and Wales fell by 4.6% in August to prices last seen in spring 2007, according to the latest figures from Land Registry. The average house price is £174,493 which is also a decrease month-on-month of 1.9%. London also experienced a decrease in its average property v
29/09/2008
New research carried out by The Co-operative Bank and Places for People has revealed that the average first time buyer currently feels they need to have saved £19,100 to enable them to buy a property. Despite the current housing market outlook, the research conducted with 1,500 first time buyers sh
29/09/2008
Willmott Dixon has been appointed by Manchester City Council through its framework partnership to build a new primary school on one section of the old stadium site. It's part of a regeneration process that is also seeing new housing being built on the site. Work on the school starts this month and
29/09/2008
Nearly 700,000 people are now stuck on waiting lists for an affordable home in rural England, the National Housing Federation (NHF) and Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) warned today. Over the last five years, the number of people waiting for an affordable home in country areas has soared b
29/09/2008
Government officials have given the go ahead for Dorset County Council to buy land for the Weymouth Relief Road. The Secretary of State for Transport and the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government have given the council's compulsory purchase orders approval following a public inqui
29/09/2008
Members of the London Assembly's Transport Committee have met with Mayor of London Boris Johnson to urge him to step up efforts to secure funding for the second phase of the East London Line extension. The Mayor is currently discussing options with Transport for London and the Department for Transp
29/09/2008
People are being urged to make small changes to the way they lead their lives to help Wales tackle climate change at the start of a major campaign by the Welsh Assembly Government. The multi-media, bilingual campaign will include new TV adverts using the voices of Gavin and Stacey star Rob Brydon a
29/09/2008
The £90.4 million Highways Agency scheme to refurbish the Bell Common Tunnel in between junctions 26 and 27 of the M25 near Epping will start in October and is due to be completed in March 2010. The major refurbishment of the tunnel, which was constructed in 1983, includes the replacement of mechan
29/09/2008
Shelter has published a new, easy to use guide on accessing accommodation and housing support for asylum seekers and refugees in England and Wales. The guide is targeted at asylum seekers and refugees who want to know more about what housing support they are entitled to, and will be a useful resour
26/09/2008
Willmott Dixon is helping to ensure the former site of Manchester City Football Club's Maine Road stadium has a bright new future. The company, which has a local construction office in Manchester, has been appointed by the City Council through its framework partnership to build a new primary school
26/09/2008
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has warned employers to ensure their employees are properly trained in using workplace equipment. The warning follows HSE's prosecution of two companies after a worker was crushed by a truck in Hangar no.1 at the former RAF Cardington, Bedfordshire. On 2 May 20
26/09/2008
Soaring arrangement fees are making it increasingly difficult for consumers to find the best mortgage according to a new report by Which? Money. A survey of 2,104 Which? members found that the mortgage interest rate was the main reason that one in four selected their current mortgage, but this ca
26/09/2008
Cabot Circus, Bristol's long-awaited shopping and leisure destination, has opened to the public. The opening of the £500 million scheme marks the completion of an eight year programme to deliver one of the largest retail-led city-centre urban regeneration projects in the UK, and is expected to pro
26/09/2008
A comprehensive new guide to the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 has been published by the National Housing Federation (NHF). The book contains the full text of the Act, which became law in July, including the schedules, and an expert commentary explaining how it will relate to housing associatio
26/09/2008
The findings of the Office of an Office of Fair Trading (OFT) market inquiry into the homebuilding sector are a sensible package of the practical and fair, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). Brian Berry, Director of External Affairs, at the FMB said: "It is very good news that the OFT ac
26/09/2008
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) has awarded honorary membership to Sir George Young, Conservative Member of Parliament for North West Hampshire and former Minister of Housing and Planning in John Major's Government. Sir George becomes CIH's 51st honorary member and is the first MP and form
26/09/2008
Northamptonshire County Council has approved, subject to call in, the leasing of land at a Northampton school - one of many stages towards the development of sports facilities on the site. Cllr Andrew Grant, county council Cabinet member for commercial management approved the granting of a 50-year
26/09/2008
A new range of flame retardant, non-toxic and fully recyclable handrails and wall guards has been launched by Peterborough based decorative casing and protection company, Encasement. The innovative n-case Styla range not only provides an effective handrail and wall protection solution, but also hel
26/09/2008
Oceaneering Inspection, part of a global provider of services to the offshore oil and gas industry, is expanding its Swansea operation with a £1.2m investment which will secure the future of its long established Welsh operation and create 20 more high skilled jobs. The project was backed by the Wels
26/09/2008
MG Marble and Granite Ltd - which is constantly striving to be the best - have to work shoulder to shoulder with the best too. Silestone, who are world leaders in quartz surfaces and are official sponsors of Formula 1 Fernando Alonso, invited MG Marble and Granite to the exclusive launch of the Pl
25/09/2008
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has today published its market study into the homebuilding sector which says that whilst the sector is broadly competitive, many homebuyers experience faults or delays. As a result, the industry has agreed to develop its own code of conduct and redress scheme for con
25/09/2008
Energy suppliers are the worst-performing of all industries when it comes to customer satisfaction - according to a new survey from Which?. The average customer satisfaction score for energy suppliers was just 47%, compared with 65% for current accounts, 61% for home insurance and 54% for mobiles.
25/09/2008
The Environment Agency today recommended that no new coal-fired power stations should be built unless they can capture and store carbon emissions. In its response to the Government's consultation on carbon capture and storage, the Environment Agency called for faster progress on proving carbon capt
25/09/2008
People in Neath Port Talbot who are threatened with homelessness because of mortgage repossession are about to be offered a lifeline. The Council is working in partnership with housing associations and advice agencies to deliver the Welsh Assembly Government's Mortgage Rescue Scheme. An additional
25/09/2008
Government ministers are being urged to reform the private rented sector in a report issued today by Grainger plc, one of the UK's largest listed residential landlord. The private rented sector is now more important than ever and will play an increasingly vital role in housing supply as the home o
25/09/2008
The Housing Corporation's 2008 assessment of the financial viability of housing associations will be overseen by a panel made up of senior Housing Corporation regulation staff and external consultants. The panel will consist of five members: Housing Corporation Director of Regulation Clare Miller,
25/09/2008
The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) has published its Inclusive Design Strategy which sets out the framework for how the Olympic Park will be designed and constructed to be inclusive for people of all cultures, faiths and ages, and accessible to disabled people. Inclusive design principles have be
25/09/2008
Builders picking up materials from the Cardiff branch of Jewson on East Moors Road, will also be able to pick up free advice on keeping themselves, their employees and everyone connected with their work safe. On Thursday and Friday this week, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the South Wale
25/09/2008
Land Securities has announced that it has submitted a planning application for its Selborne House development on Victoria Street in Westminster. The submission is part of Land Securities' vision for Victoria Street and part of its wider long-term commitment to re-invigorate the Victoria area. The
25/09/2008
Following extensive research and development, Marley Waterproofing has launched a newly designed, easy to use website. Offering a variety of new features, the website has been created in order to provide product support and technical information easily accessed at the click of a mouse. The improve
24/09/2008
The Government welcomed EDF's proposed £12.5 billion takeover offer for British Energy Group and the British Energy Board's recommendation of the offer to its shareholders. The Government has committed to accept the cash offer of 774p per share for its 36% stake held by the Nuclear Liabilities Fun
24/09/2008
A fire has broke out at a construction site in Bath, where a £360 million shopping centre is being developed. Up to 250 people were forced to flee their homes after four gas canisters blew up at the £360m SouthGate retail development site on Tuesday. People living in the nearby nine streets were
24/09/2008
Alan Ritchie, General Secretary of Construction union UCATT, will today use his speech at Labour Party Conference to attack the "greedy scheming" insurance industry. Mr Ritchie will be speaking in a debate generated by UCATT, which condemns the recent attempts by the insurance industry to deny comp
24/09/2008
Galliford Try has been awarded two education contracts worth a total of £16.3 million to build new facilities for Bucks New University and Liverpool Community College. Galliford Try will undertake a £13 million contract to build the first phase of student accommodation units for Bucks New Universit
24/09/2008
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has warned employers to ensure they properly manage health and safety risks in the workplace, following the prosecution of an Essex company. Eastern Counties Laundries Ltd, of West Street, Coggeshall, Essex was fined £30,000 with £15,000 costs, at Colchester Cr
24/09/2008
"Operator training is paramount to ensuring the access industry is made safer," said Skyjack Group President Ken McDougall in his keynote speech at the APEX conference in Maastricht, the Netherlands. "The more educated and trained operators of access equipment we can have, who have been globally t
24/09/2008
The contract has been awarded to create and manage the northern section of parklands in the Olympic Park. Edmund Nuttall scooped the contract which includes tree planting and the construction of the concourse which will link all the venues, entrances and parklands. The contract will also include cr
24/09/2008
Tom Baldwin from Kingerlee and Laing O'Rourke's Steven Sanzone have been named as the 2008/09 Sir Ian Dixon Scholars. The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), in conjunction with the Worshipful Company of Constructors, has run the Sir Ian Dixon Scholarship since 1998 covering a wide range of sub
24/09/2008
Liverpool-based Mayfield Construction is celebrating after winning a prestigious British Association of Landscape Industry (BALI) Award. The company, which is a division of The McKean Group, was selected as a BALI, National Hard Landscaping Award Winner 2008, in the category of mainly hard landscap
24/09/2008
A striking, state-of-the-art black box development, known as the Soundhouse, has become the first building to be completed this year on the University of Sheffield Jessop site. The innovative music practice and studio facility will allow students to rehearse, practise and record music in an insula
23/09/2008
In August, net mortgage lending rose only by £2.1 billion, less than half the average rise over the previous six months, according to figures released today by the British Bankers Association (BBA). The number of approvals for house purchase was again very low and those for remortgaging also fell.
23/09/2008
Westinghouse Electric Company has published an important report outlining how the AP1000 nuclear reactor could deliver in excess of £30 billion of value to the UK's economy via their unique and mutually beneficial 'Buy Where We Build' strategy for supply chain engagement. Westinghouse is the first
23/09/2008
Health and safety inspectors will be spot checking construction sites across the High Peak to tackle poor standards of health and safety. The inspectors will be paying particular attention to refurbishment sites. This follows an initiative earlier this year where almost half of the construction sit
23/09/2008
Housing minister, Caroline Flint, has backed calls from the British Property Federation (BPF) for a greater focus on professional rented housing. Speaking at a Citizens' Advice Bureau fringe event, Ms Flint said that Britain had been focused on ownership since Margaret Thatcher introduced Right to
23/09/2008
Oxfordshire County Council is refusing to do any more work on 'fairytale' proposals for an eco-town at Weston Otmoor until developers cough up more than £100,000 for work done so far that they originally promised to pay for. According to Oxfordshire Council, Parkridge had promised that they would p
23/09/2008
New guidance, released at the annual National Housing Federation (NHF) conference by Building for Life Chair Wayne Hemingway, explains how to implement Building for Life standards in new affordable housing developments. Building for Life is the national benchmark for housing developments in England
23/09/2008
Bill Coley, Chief Executive of British Energy, has welcomed the Government's leadership for the development of new nuclear build in the UK following the first meeting of the recently created Nuclear Development Forum hosted by Business Secretary John Hutton. Mr Coley said: "Today's meeting illustr
23/09/2008
Schools Minister Jim Knight has officially opened one of Manchester's most eco-friendly schools. Rolls Crescent Primary School in Hulme boasts a rainwater harvest system, solar energy, cedar tiles, windows that open and close automatically depending upon the temperature and even a wind turbine. Th
23/09/2008
Kier Building Maintenance has been selected as the overall winner of the People Management Award 2008. The building services division of the Kier Group was recognised for its delivery of an exceptional training programme aimed at improving the skills of young people and its own staff. The People M
23/09/2008
The National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) is stepping up the pressure on construction and building sites by encouraging their members to anonymously 'whistle blow' on principle contractors who continue to opt for non-regulated scaffolding companies. The new facility is available in t
22/09/2008
Plumbing and heating materials distributor, Wolseley, reported a 77% decrease in pre-tax profits in the year to the end of July. Wolseley has already cut 6,000 staff in the past year and blamed further deterioration of the housing market in the US and the UK. Chip Hornsby, Wolseley plc Group Chief
22/09/2008
UK Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks has pledged the UK's support to help build Iraq's energy sector capacity, a sector that is vital to the country's economic development and reconstruction. Mr Wicks was speaking from Iraq at the end of a two day visit, made at the invitation of Iraqi oil minister Sha
22/09/2008
Centrica plc, the parent company of British Gas, has announced its second significant gas storage project this year, the acquisition of Caythorpe Gas Storage Limited (CGSL) from Warwick Energy for £70 million in cash. CGSL owns the onshore Caythorpe gas producing field near Bridlington in East Yor
22/09/2008
A new initiative has been launched to reduce the number of accidents caused by unsafe ladders. People in Barnsley can voluntarily get rid of their unsafe ladders and step ladders at the nearest Speedy Hire branch, who are offering to part-exchange them for alternative, safer equipment as part of a
22/09/2008
The next phase of construction on the Olympic Stadium has started as concrete supports are installed for the seating terraces. The first of over 200 concrete supports for the lower bowl of seating have been lifted into place. The bowl will consist of permanent seating for 25,000 spectators. Also o
22/09/2008
As health and safety legislation has become ever more stringent, Invicta Forks & Attachments has been receiving a phenomenal demand for its range of stainless steel forks. Stainless steel forks provide an 'ultimate solution' for food-associated environments where cleanliness is vital, as the fork
22/09/2008
Leading figures from the property industry outlined how changing attitudes to renting and developing a branded build to let sector could be a vital component in meeting government housing targets and giving consumers the quality homes they want. Industry figures from the British Property Federation
22/09/2008
The Communities and Local Government's (CLG) decision to introduce transitional arrangements for implementing the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive is an admission there aren’t enough qualified assessors to undertake the surveys and that much more needs to be done to educate building owne
22/09/2008
Pensioners struggling to make ends meet should only turn to equity release if there is no other option, warns 'Care Options in Retirement', a new Which? essential guide published today. With rising living costs and the increased cost of long term care, equity release may seem like the answer to fin
22/09/2008
A new online discussion forum launched this week will help all those involved in the change to new unitary councils in seven areas of England to make the transition as smooth as possible. The new discussion site has been set up by the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) at the request of Communiti
19/09/2008
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is warning construction firms to ensure that adequate safety measures are in place for site transport after a worker received serious injuries when the dumper he was driving overturned. The advice comes after FG Construction (Nottingham) Ltd, of Glaisdale Drive
19/09/2008
The Government's ambitious target of building three million new homes by 2020 could be missed by up to nine years unless ministers intervene further in the housing market, a leading expert warns today. National Housing Federation (NHF) Chief Executive David Orr issued a stark warning at the ICC, in
19/09/2008
Housing associations will soon be able to deliver a wider range of affordable housing and a new-look Home Buy scheme will increase the opportunity for home ownership, thanks to plans unveiled by Jocelyn Davies, Deputy Minister for Housing. Ms Davies' aims came as she announced progress to date and
19/09/2008
Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, who in a few short years has gone from Naked Chef to national hero, is now turning his attention from British school dinners to bringing la cucina Italiana to the local high street. The first collection of restaurants serving quality, authentic and affordable Italian f
19/09/2008
Passengers and the people of Birmingham and the West Midlands were shown visionary new designs for New Street station yesterday. The striking concept designs, clad in shimmering, reflective metal, will create a bold, modern gateway to the city for the millions of people using the station each year.
19/09/2008
The Government has published statistics for the 2006 Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions at Local Authority and Government Office Region level. The figures represent all UK emissions allocated to Local Authority areas on an end-user basis, incorporating all business, household and transport emissions, s
19/09/2008
A significant number of care homes for older people who need nursing or residential care are still being under-funded, according to updated research released by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. The author, William Laing of health and community care analysts Laing & Buisson, has twice before reported
19/09/2008
Dust Control Systems has commissioned a new dust extraction plant as part of a woodwaste-to-energy system for Scottish timber kit house manufacturer GM Timber Systems Ltd. The installation is at the company's new workshops near Banchory in Royal Deeside - one of the most beautiful locations in Scotl
19/09/2008
Bill Coley, Chief Executive of British Energy, has welcomed the Government's leadership for the development of new nuclear build in the UK following the first meeting of the recently created Nuclear Development Forum hosted by Business Secretary John Hutton. He commented: "This meeting illustrated
19/09/2008
A new Economic Development Investment Plan has been launched by three regional development agencies in the South East of England to transform the Thames Gateway into a thriving business, research and innovation hub and a vibrant place to live. The investment programme was unveiled by the London Dev
18/09/2008
The Chairman of the new social housing regulator, the Tenant Services Authority (TSA), delivered a firm message to housing associations yesterday when he said that the social housing sector had "fallen off the pace". Anthony Mayer, delivering his first speech as Chair of the TSA at the National Hou
18/09/2008
Business Secretary Mr John Hutton has pledged his maximum support for new nuclear power stations in the UK, at the first meeting of the Government's new Nuclear Development Forum. Mr Hutton said that energy from new nuclear generators is absolutely indispensable for keeping the UK's lights on, red
18/09/2008
Residents have been advised to ensure they carry out appropriate checks when appointing trades people to carry out work to their home after a businessman falsely claimed he was accredited to trade associations. The warning follows a successful prosecution by North Tyneside Council against Mr Richar
18/09/2008
Gross lending totalled an estimated £21.8 billion in August, a 12% fall from July and a 36% fall from August 2007, according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML). This is the lowest monthly figure since April 2005 and the lowest August figure since 2002. Exceptionally low housing market turnove
18/09/2008
New concept designs for a key piece of utilities infrastructure in the Olympic Park have been unveiled by the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) along with new photos showing the progress being made in constructing the new utilities networks. Concept designs have been unveiled for a pumping station t
18/09/2008
Construction union UCATT will use next week's Labour Party Conference to step up their campaign against the insurance industries attacks on compensation for workers made ill at work. The insurance industry have recently launched a number of legal challenges in an attempt to dismantle industrial inj
18/09/2008
Manchester City Council has revealed its plans to bid for funds designed to help those living in Victorian properties save on fuel bills. Almost half of all Manchester's housing stock was built before 1919 meaning that it is of solid wall construction - cavity wall insulation cannot be used. Last
18/09/2008
South West England's aerospace industry celebrated a landmark investment in the region this week with the transfer of manufacturing assets between Airbus UK at Filton, Bristol, and GKN. Jane Henderson, Chief Executive of the South West RDA, warmly welcomed the announcement. She said: "An investme
18/09/2008
A trainee operations engineer at British Energy's Sizewell B power station has returned from six weeks in Canada after taking part in the World Nuclear University. Mark Salisbury, 29, from Ipswich joined 98 other young engineers from 36 countries at the fourth WNU in Ottawa, bringing together some
18/09/2008
The Reading office of global management, engineering and development consultancy Mott MacDonald and its cost consultancy Franklin + Andrews is expanding its multi-disciplinary team in the area. The company is launching a recruitment drive to support its existing workload and strengthen its presenc
17/09/2008
E.ON UK has announced today that it is to streamline its Energy Services operations by cutting 400 jobs. The company hopes that the reductions will be made by voluntary redundancies wherever possible and will be offering counselling and support to all affected staff. E.ON is also looking into the p
17/09/2008
Construction work to enhance the sailing facilities at Weymouth & Portland for 2012 is racing towards the finishing line, the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) has announced. The Olympic and Paralympic sailing events in 2012 will be hosted at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA)
17/09/2008
A new power station that will be fuelled by waste has been announced for Cheshire. The proposed plant has the capacity to potentially take waste from Manchester, Merseyside, Halton, Cheshire and Warrington, which would otherwise have gone to landfill. The decision by Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks
17/09/2008
British Gas is trebling its recruitment of apprentice gas engineers creating 1,000 new jobs over the next 18 months. The company will invest £40 million in recruitment and training across its network of five Engineering Academy training centres based across the UK. The move by British Gas, will
17/09/2008
A decision will be taken next week on plans to create a 'local delivery vehicle' which would release millions of pounds of capital to fund improvements to council homes in Brighton & Hove. Following information sessions for council tenants, their representatives will discuss the next stage of the p
17/09/2008
The Guinness Partnership, one of the country's largest housing providers, has launched a distinctive new brand across all of its areas of operation. The five organisations that make up the Partnership adopted new logos and corporate colours across all of their letterheads, signage, vehicle livery,
17/09/2008
The DWC GROUP, which has its Head Office in Essex, has since 2004 acquired three companies in a move to significantly expand its penetration into the specialised sector of the construction industry which concentrates on remedial damp proofing, basement waterproofing & conversions, timber treatment
17/09/2008
A business service delivered by Cumbria Rural Enterprise Agency since 2001 has won the NW Best Rural Planning Project award from the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI). It has also been shortlisted for a national category. "The Rural Planning Facilitation Service (RPFS) was initiated by research
17/09/2008
The award-winning multi-million pound re-development of Symes Avenue in Hartcliffe, Bristol, is up for further honours this week. Following the judging of the Regeneration and Renewal Awards 2008, the Symes District Centre has been voted a finalist in the Neighbourhood Renewal project of the year c
17/09/2008
Ever increasing energy prices and concerns about the environment mean that many people are looking for cost effective methods of reducing both their bills and carbon footprint. The Shower-Save is a simple, low cost system that captures and re-uses the heat that is normally lost down the drain when y
16/09/2008
Britain's town-planning system has long been criticised for being over-complex and impeding economic growth, but Sainsbury's planning chief Sue Willcox will today unveil the British Property Federation's (BPF) Planning Manifesto, with a host of measures to improve the system without the need for mor
16/09/2008
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is calling on the government to plan a green homes programme in order to meet the challenge of making all the country's housing more energy efficient by 2020. CIH wants an initiative similar to the successful Decent Homes programme that will finish in 2010.
16/09/2008
Central Networks, the electricity distribution company for central England, is sending out urgent safety messages after vandals threw tree branches into high-voltage power lines in Gloucestershire. Homes and businesses in the Lydbrooke area have experienced a number of power cuts in recent months a
16/09/2008
Householders wanting to extend and improve their homes will benefit from the changes to the planning system which comes into force on 1 October 2008, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). Changes to permitted development rights for householders will mean that many home extensions will no lo
16/09/2008
Hundreds of Eastern European workers have been duped into handing over cash for non-existent construction jobs at the 2012 London Olympic site, a BBC investigation has found. Around 550 Slovakians paid £600 deposits to convicted East London conman, Nigel Lewis, according to BBC London. He had promi
16/09/2008
Surrey County Council is hoping to save nearly £750,000 a year over three years from 2009 by changing the way it buys energy through a South East consortium. The county council's decision-making Executive has agreed to move to a new flexible way of purchasing energy from next year to try to reduce
16/09/2008
Specialist insurer Ecclesiastical is planning to keep its head office in Gloucester by moving its 650 Gloucester-based staff to a new-build site in the Gloucester Docks development. The multi-million pound project is expected to be completed in 2011. Richard Mander, HR Director at Ecclesiastical,
16/09/2008
The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) has launched its 'Construction Crew' programme, enabling local school children to experience the work going into delivering the venues and infrastructure for the London 2012 Games. Twenty year-six students from eight schools across the Host Boroughs - Hackney, N
16/09/2008
Premier Inn, one the UK's largest hotel operators, is to set new industry standards for sustainable design and construction in the hotel sector with its new Tamworth hotel in Staffordshire, now under construction and opening in December. The green hotel brings together the very best environmental i
16/09/2008
Storage specialists - Storwell Systems UK based in Redditch, West Midlands has secured a major contract to supply Associated Press - the world leaders in news gathering services - with their new Photo Archive Library storage system. The Associated Press HQ building is the former site of a Bonded Li
15/09/2008
The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) has published new images showing work is progressing well on the foundations of the Aquatics Centre for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Work is under way creating the foundations for the platforms that will support the sweeping wave-like roof of th
15/09/2008
In the run up to the Liberal Democrat Party Conference, taking place in Bournemouth next week, the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has delivered a five point plan to Liberal Democrat leader, Nick Clegg MP, to kick start the building industry. At a time when the UK economy is going through a ver
15/09/2008
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has announced that Stephen Williams is to take up the newly created post of Director of Field Operations (London) and the Olympics. Stephen will lead the health and safety regulation of the 2012 Olympics which includes the construction phase, while heading up H
15/09/2008
The National Housing Federation (NHF) has criticised the Government on its latest energy announcement. Helen Williams, Assistant Director at the NHF said: "Overall, we would give the Government five out of ten for this package. On the surface there was much that looked good, but ultimately many fa
15/09/2008
Over 100 companies said they are supporting a third runway to be built at Heathrow Airport. Richard Lambert, Director-General of the Confederation of the British Industry (CBI) said: "This statement from a wide cross-section of British business demonstrates just how important good international tra
15/09/2008
Bridgend, Merthyr Tydfil and Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Councils have signed a deal with Capita Symonds for a £75m joint venture that will deliver major highways, transportation, engineering, construction, environmental and related projects across the local authorities and the rest of South Wa
15/09/2008
Commenting on the Government's announcement on home insulation, Margaret Eaton, Chairman of the Local Government Association (LGA) said the plans are a step in the right direction. She said: "Energy saving measures will cut bills year after year and will help tackle the twin problems of climate cha
15/09/2008
A new briefing paper published this week calls for much greater integration of housing with economic planning, not least in times of housing market volatility. The new briefing from the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) sponsored by the Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA) and East Midlan
15/09/2008
Bell Equipment is expanding its Richards Bay plant, in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, due to increased global demand for articulated dump trucks and other heavy plant machinery. Group CEO Gary Bell said the new production line would be completed in 2009, increasing capacity from the current 2,500 uni
15/09/2008
Sperian Protection UK has appointed a new National Product Sales Manager for its Timberland PRO and Sperian safety footwear range. Susan Peverelli joins Sperian from 3M where she was Channel/Distribution Manager for the company's general industrial business. With a degree in Business and Management
12/09/2008
TUC Congress has unanimously backed a resolution moved by construction union UCATT calling for a radical change in Health and Safety policy. The resolution demands that the Government should reverse cuts in the budget of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and that the organisation in future shou
12/09/2008
Soaring fuel bills will plunge 2.6 million customers into debt by the end next year - forcing many low income families to decide whether to heat or eat this winter, according to new research published. The report, commissioned by the National Housing Federation (NHF), predicts 1.5 million electrici
12/09/2008
More apprenticeships in the construction sector are the solution to the current skills shortage in the construction sector and not low level offenders with no experience says the Federation of Master Builders in response to the announcement from the Justice Secretary, Kenny MacAskill. Grahame Barn,
12/09/2008
The Mayor of London Boris Johnson has launched the London Planning Awards and is calling for planners, developers and architects to enter projects that display industry excellence and will positively impact the capital for decades to come. The Awards will build on the success of the last five years
12/09/2008
Balfour Beatty, the international engineering, construction, services and investment Group, has announced it has signed an alliance agreement to carry out $C700 million contract for ATCO Electric's capital work programme in Alberta, Canada. Balfour Beatty will provide engineering, construction, pro
12/09/2008
The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) has announced that the Olympic Park workforce have achieved another million hours without a reportable accident, for the fifth time since the ODA gained possession of the Park in July 2007. There are over 2,600 workers on site, all of whom will be bought a free
12/09/2008
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has announced that Kevin Myers has been appointed as HSE's Deputy Chief Executive. The appointment follows an open competition overseen by the Civil Service Commission. Kevin will take up post on 13 October 2008. HSE's Chief Executive Geoffrey Podger said: "
12/09/2008
The introduction to Parliament of regulations that will remove 80,000 household planning applications from the planning system has been welcomed by the British Property Federation (BPF). The changes will come into effect next month and could save up to £50 million each year in application fees and
12/09/2008
A consultation has been launched by the Waste Protocols Project, a joint Environment Agency and Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) initiative, to get views on a Quality Protocol for the re-use of ashes from power generation. The protocol aims to increase their use in the construction indust
12/09/2008
Local apprentice Paul Blakeman has been named by Sandwell Homes as the organisation's Achiever of the Year for 2008. Paul, who lives in Smethwick, works for Birmingham-based Lovell. Woodgate Valley-based Lovell is one of the construction partners working on Sandwell Homes' £80 million housing impro
11/09/2008
The shortlist of contractors to build the White Water Canoe Centre in Broxbourne that will host Canoe and Kayak Slalom events during the London 2012 Games have been announced. The five shortlisted companies are: Edmund Nuttall; Fitzpatrick Contractors; Carillion Contractors; Balfour Beatty and Morr
11/09/2008
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has warned the construction industry of the need to ensure that mobile crane operations are properly planned and supervised. The warning follows HSE's prosecution of two construction companies after a 35 tonne truck mounted telescopic crane overturned, after on
11/09/2008
New development rules which will cut the red tape for home improvements, combat the effects of climate change and protect World Heritage sites, have been introduced by Housing and Planning Minister Caroline Flint. New planning regulations being laid in Parliament will mean that from October the maj
11/09/2008
Costain has announced it has been awarded an £80 million contract by Standard Life Investments to construct a new high quality retail led mixed-use development in Parkway, Newbury, West Berkshire. The contract is part of an extensive regeneration project for the town centre and is expected to
11/09/2008
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) and the Housing Associations' Charitable Trust (hact) have launched the first housing rights website to be specifically aimed at answering housing entitlement queries for new migrants. Visitors to the site are able to enter as either frontline housing advise
11/09/2008
A new east Manchester training centre running courses in plastering, kitchen and bathroom fitting, carpentry, joinery and groundwork will be officially opened next week. Local MPs Tony Lloyd and Gerald Kaufman will be the main speakers at the launch event, which will take place on Monday 15 Septemb
11/09/2008
UCATT have welcomed the Government's commitment to use the public sector to revitalise construction training. In July UCATT launched a major report Apprenticeships a Firm Foundation, which warned that construction apprenticeships would collapse without Government intervention. The report recommende
11/09/2008
After completing the first stage of work at the new Bishop Auckland College two months early, Atkins' cost consultancy, Faithful+Gould, has won a further £20 million contract to complete further stages. Faithful+Gould's appointment for the next two phases was as a result of its successful completio
11/09/2008
The Capita Group has been selected by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to operate a new gas installer registration scheme in Great Britain from April 2009. The contract valued at £14 million per year is awarded for a term of 10 years. Capita announced its selection by HSE as preferred partn
11/09/2008
Hickton, one of the UK's leading Clerk of Works practices, has recently played an integral part in the construction of the new Sunderland Aquatic Centre. Employed by Sunderland City Council and working closely with Balfour Beatty on site, Hickton Clerk of Works services ensured this prestigious proj
11/09/2008
Chartered Director and IoD member Chris Conway has recently made the move from the high-tech telecommunications sector at Nortel, to the fast growing steel industry at Corus, as Director for Ireland. Corus in Ireland is part of the international steel company and processes and distributes steel acr
10/09/2008
UK housebuilder Barratt Developments has seen profits slump 13% in the past year. Barratt made a pre-tax profit before exceptional items of £137.3m in the year to the end of June. The group also wrote off £208.4 million from its £3.3 billion land bank to reflect the poor state of the property mark
10/09/2008
The Government should produce a Highway Code style document on permitted development, which clearly explains to the public their rights and responsibilities when it comes to making changes to their properties according to the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI). The call is made in the RTPI's subm
10/09/2008
Construction union UCATT have warned that local authorities must not weaken their asbestos removal procedures, in the wake of problems experienced at St Ledger Homes in Doncaster. St Ledger Homes have suspended and sacked a number of managers after it was discovered that contractors had been distur
10/09/2008
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is holding half-day safety events for the North West construction industry at Haydock Park racecourse on Thursday 11 September. The events - starting at 8.15am and 12.15pm - will last a little over two years, during which participants will hear presentations on
10/09/2008
Three Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) events aim to place architecture and design at the forefront of politicians and policy-makers minds. British people spend on average of 20 hours per day inside buildings. The quality of our buildings has been shown to improve how well children per
10/09/2008
The Mayor of London's 'Green Theatre: Taking Action on Climate Change' plan has been launched in partnership with industry leaders at the Professional Lighting and Sound Association (PLASA) annual conference. 'Green Theatre', an action plan for the theatre industry, outlines the most practical and
10/09/2008
All councils in England should be able to retain income from council house rents in order to plan for better quality housing in the long term and improve services to tenants, according to the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH). CIH wants to end the process of redistributing overall revenue betwee
10/09/2008
Triple Beijing gold medal-winning Olympic hero Chris Hoy unveiled plans for new world-class cycling facilities in London for cyclists of all ages and abilities today as the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) released the latest designs for the London 2012 VeloPark. The VeloPark, to be based in the no
10/09/2008
HBG Construction has been successful in securing a project to create the new Severn Trent Centre in Coventry. The development will create the new headquarters for Severn Trent from mid 2010. The project, worth £40m, was won in competition in a single stage design and construct tender. The two-ye
10/09/2008
As Great Britain continues to celebrate its achievements in the 2008 Olympics, the Welsh Institute of Sport is enjoying an award of a different kind - a BBA approved built-up roof system supplied by Liquid Plastics and installed by Quality Assured Contractors Central Roofing. HLN Architects called
09/09/2008
British housebuilder Redrow has reported a massive slump in profits - almost half in the last year. The group has taken an exceptional provision of £259.4m, which has left the group with a pre-tax loss of £193.9m. It has also slashed its workforce by 40% since the beginning of this year. Redrow ha
09/09/2008
Hundreds of small and medium sized contractors (SMEs) have sought professional advice over redundancies in 2008, according to figures released by the National Federation of Builders (NFB). Nearly 1,200 calls have been made to the NFB employment helpline so far this year, compared to a total of 997
09/09/2008
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is reminding contractors of the importance of implementing safe systems for working at height. This follows the prosecution of a company after a maintenance engineer’s hand was trapped in a forklift truck. The court heard that, on 7 February, 2008, three maintenan
09/09/2008
Remortgaging rose and lending for house purchase held steady in July, by comparison with June, although loans to first-time buyers continued to decline according to the latest survey from the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML). There were 47,400 house purchase loans worth £7.1 billion, unchanged fr
09/09/2008
The average number of transactions per surveyor fell further in August as a lack of mortgage finance continued to stifle the ability of buyers to access the market according to RICS’ UK housing market survey. The RICS house price balance improved slightly for the fourth consecutive month but still
09/09/2008
Construction and management consultants, Turner & Townsend has recently made seven strategic appointments to its Sheffield office including the entire quantity surveying team from Robinson Low Francis (RLF) who recently closed their Sheffield Office. Mark Deakin, Director of Turner & Townsend’s She
09/09/2008
Council tenants across Carmarthenshire will save £4million a year on their energy bills thanks to efficiency measures carried out by the local authority. Work has been completed five years ahead of schedule leading to savings for the average household of £420 a year. Measures include loft insulati
09/09/2008
Lovell has been awarded an £8.4 million, three-year contract by Dudley Council in the West Midlands to work on the council’s housing refurbishment programme. Lovell will be carrying out internal improvement work to identified properties over the length of the contract. The upgrading work will inclu
09/09/2008
Faithful+Gould continues to expand its regeneration portfolio by providing expertise on one of the largest public art initiatives in the world, the £2.7 million Temenos structure in Middlehaven. Faithful+Gould was appointed by Tees Valley Regeneration (TVR) to provide Project Management, Quantity S
09/09/2008
As part of Bristol’s popular Heritage Doors Open Day this Saturday, 13 September, Colston Hall is offering a glimpse behind the façade of its multi-million pound, new foyer development. From 10am to 4pm, visitors will have the opportunity to step on to the building site and get a sneak preview of t
08/09/2008
Energy suppliers have dramatically increased their dividend payments to shareholders by £257 million over the last year despite claims that high profits are needed for re-investment in energy infrastructure, new research published has revealed. The Local Government Association (LGA), a cross-par
08/09/2008
Almost a quarter of the population will be in fuel poverty by the end of next year, according to a new report. The research, published by the National Housing Federation (NHF), shows that 5.7m households will be spending at least 10% of their income on energy bills by the end of 2009, an increase o
08/09/2008
The go-ahead for one of the UK's largest offshore wind farms to date will be announced by the Prime Minister today, in a speech to business leaders. The 500MW West of Duddon Sands wind farm is planned near Walney Island off the coast of Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria and will comprise of up to 139 tu
08/09/2008
Structural steel firm AMSE Ltd erected an average of 1000 tonnes of steel per month at the €80m (£54.4m) Abbeylands shopping complex in Ferrybank, Co. Waterford. This project is transforming a seven acre site into a major shopping attraction in the region with subsequent plans having been announced
08/09/2008
Construction union UCATT are to hold a vigil following the recent death of a construction worker. Mr Altin Balla lost his fight for life last week following a major accident on 29 August while working on the Marriotts Close, Shopping Centre Development in Witney, Oxfordshire. It is understood that
08/09/2008
Secondary school pupils taking one of the new Diplomas launched this week will be the first ever to have a chance to study housing. According to the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH), this is a vital first step to educating young people about one of the most important areas of life. CIH, the p
08/09/2008
Work to improve Honingham Junction on the A47 near Norwich has started today. A new roundabout will be constructed at the junction with Mattishall Road and street lighting will be installed. The A47 will remain open during the work but Matishall Road will be closed for four weeks from early Novembe
08/09/2008
Bristol City Council's Energy Management Unit has submitted a planning application to erect two wind turbines as part of the scheme to promote renewable energy. The application is for the erection of two wind turbines, each with a generating capacity of up to 3MW, with maximum tip height of 131m, r
08/09/2008
Four Liverpool schools are set to be reborn as the city's multi-million pound primary rebuilding programme gets underway. The city council's executive board is being asked on Friday, 12 September, to give the green light for brand new, 21st century buildings for Croxteth, Hope Valley, Breckfield an
08/09/2008
BLISS Books has announced a free construction industry helpline on 0845 4756725. The intention is to provide a single point of contact for construction industry queries about forms of contract, books and business and technical information. If the staff at the helpline cannot assist themselves, they
05/09/2008
With the country gearing up for the 2012 London Olympics, Cherwell District Council's Executive gave the go ahead for a new outdoor sports complex in Bicester. The council will now continue to work with Bicester Town Council, Oxfordshire County Council and local sports clubs to develop the Bicester
05/09/2008
The contractors shortlisted to construct enhanced rowing and flatwater canoeing facilities for the London 2012 Games have been announced by the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA). The contract for the construction of the enhanced facilities was put out to tender in May and five companies have now bee
05/09/2008
Leicester's multi-million pound project to transform the city centre's main shopping streets has been completed. After two and a half years in which the city has centre has been revamped and improved with new streets and public spaces, Leicester City Council is set to hand over the completed works
05/09/2008
Work gets underway in Bristol this week on the first phase of one of the most important regeneration schemes in South West England. The multi-million pound development at Hengrove Park will deliver a massive boost to the people of South Bristol. The first phase of the project will see the delivery
05/09/2008
A traditional craftsman is working hard to 'forge' a link between modern architectural style and traditional skills - by keeping 'alive' handcrafted ironwork forging to provide a bespoke metal work service to domestic and professional clients alike - while also representing all that is best in moder
05/09/2008
Local people will have a chance to discover where Peterborough may excavate construction materials and dispose of its waste in future at a series of roadshows beginning on 8 September. The consultation, lasting until 20 October, focuses on preferred locations for the extraction of construction mate
05/09/2008
The London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) and Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) have announced the agreement of a set of overarching 'Principles of Cooperation' with the Trades Union Congress. While not legally binding the principles form the basis of positive partnership between the TUC and the
05/09/2008
Littlehampton Sea Cadet Corps have been given a boost thanks to a grant from Arun District Council. The Sea Cadets applied to the Council's Grant Aid Scheme, which gives grants to voluntary, community and charitable organisations. They asked for £2,500 to repair and improve their jetty on the
04/09/2008
The British Property Federation (BPF) has qustioned the effectiveness of measures which are only focused on home ownership, even though this may not be the best course of action for everyone. Speaking to the BBC, the BPF said that the government should focus on stirring new development and dealing
04/09/2008
The temporary lifting of the stamp duty threshold to £175,000 is unlikely to have a significant impact on the UK housing market according to Savills residential research department. "The main constraints on the market remain the inaccessibility to competitive mortgage finance, the outlook for the e
04/09/2008
The Government has announced a number of measures to revitalise the housing market, but Shelter says the package is "dwarfed" by the scale of the crisis. While Shelter welcomed the announcement as a first step towards bolstering the housing market, Chief Executive Adam Sampson said the package was
04/09/2008
Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families Ed Balls MP visited Year 9 students from St Bonaventure's School at Newham Sixth Form College to see the launch of the Diploma in Construction and Built Environment (C&BE). Over 3,000 students across the country are starting the school term on t
04/09/2008
International Construction and Management Consultant Turner & Townsend, has been commissioned to review and provide greater understanding of all commercial and industrial waste arising within Greater London for the London Development Agency (LDA). London produces over 18 million tonnes of waste a y
04/09/2008
GLA Executive Director of Policy & Partnerships, David Lunts has confirmed that he will be taking up the new position of London Director of the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA). For the past three and a half years, among his many responsibilities he has advised the former Mayor of London, Boris
04/09/2008
Commenting on the Government's announcement today to kick-start the housing market and assist house builders, construction union UCATT have called on the Government to demand that house builders directly employ staff and train apprentices, in return for the assistance they are receiving. UCATT is i
04/09/2008
Urban development and investment company, First Base, and the national regeneration agency, English Partnerships, have this week been awarded planning consent for a major project that will transform the site of the former Greenwich District Hospital. The 'Heart of East Greenwich' will not only set
04/09/2008
Building work has started at the new site of St Thomas Community Primary School in Lower Crumpsall, Manchester. The current school on Hazelbottom Road is more than 100 years old and is built on land donated by Edward Lloyd, one of the founders of Lloyds Bank. It has 248 pupils including a 30-place
04/09/2008
As the UK Government announces polices to help the housing situation in England, Welsh Assembly Government Housing Minister Jocelyn Davies has reaffirmed the action already taking place to help home owners in Wales. Mrs Davies said: "The Welsh Assembly Government has long recognised that everyone i
03/09/2008
For the past six months the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) has worked closely with Government, its agencies, lenders, local authorities and housing providers to develop a detailed working model for a mortgage rescue package. Commissioned by the Housing Corporation, the government agency charg
03/09/2008
Regulations that will ensure property developers disclose the true value of new-build properties have been introduced. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has made changes to the 'Red Book’' - which comprises the rules used by chartered surveyors when making asset valuations - will
03/09/2008
The Housing Corporation has announced that £306.9 million has been allocated to deliver 4,001 affordable homes for rent and 2,185 for sale (6186 total) following the second round of its regular market engagement. Flexibilities for the second round regular market engagement process were announced in
03/09/2008
Thousands of London residents are already benefiting from the 2012 Olympic Games coming to the capital, through support from the London Development Agency. These achievements are summarised in 'Employment and Skills update for 2012' - looking at the progress made over the past 18 months to secure n
03/09/2008
Plans for Mereham, a proposed 5,000 home development in East Cambridgeshire, have been thrown out by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government. The development which was opposed by Cambridgeshire County Council would have had a huge impact on local villages and led to massive cong
03/09/2008
Buildings across Carmarthenshire have been restored under a £2.5 million enhancement scheme. Rundown buildings have been completely transformed and major works have been carried out to improve shop fronts. Dozens of businesses in all corners of the county have benefited from grant aid, with scheme
03/09/2008
The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) has introduced new measures to help ensure that conveyancing and valuation processes capture the true value of newly-built properties. Lenders will ask builders or developers of any newly-built, converted or renovated property to complete a new 'disclosure of
03/09/2008
The National Housing Federation (NHF) has hailed the Government's proposed mortgage rescue scheme as a way of saving thousands of households from the nightmare of repossession. The scheme, originally proposed by the NHF and the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML), will see not-for-profit housing asso
03/09/2008
BRE Global have announced they will be presenting awards for all building sectors at this years UK BREEAM awards, which will be held at the 100% Detail exhibition in September. The 2008 BREEAM Award Categories include: Bespoke, Industrial, Offices and Multi-Residential. BRE Global will also be pre
03/09/2008
Barbour ABI are celebrating after being short listed for two top industry awards. The Data Publishers Association (DPA) which organises the annual awards, has chosen them to be in the running for 'Data Service of the Year' and 'Subscription Sales Team of the Year'. Barbour ABI has been successful
02/09/2008
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is warning companies to take risk assessments seriously and to ensure measures identified are properly implemented, after a demolition company was prosecuted last week over a workplace injury. Wooldridge Ecotec Ltd, of London Road, Bagshot, Surrey, was fined £1
02/09/2008
Chancellor Alistair Darling (pictured) has announced that properties worth £175,000 and less will be exempt from stamp duty. The new measure will apply to transactions with an effective date on or after September 3, 2008 and before September 3 2009. The Chancellor's announcement came as the Govern
02/09/2008
Support services and construction company Carillion, in joint venture with Babcock, has secured a 30-year, £3 billion contract for the provision of training and training support, infrastructure and services at the Royal School of Military Engineering (RSME) in Medway, Kent and Minley, Hampshire. Th
02/09/2008
A UK engineering firm which worked on the Beijing Olympics Water Cube will help to design Plymouth's £44 million Life Centre. Plymouth City Council has appointed SMC Charter Architects and ARUP as the design team for the world-class scheme following a comprehensive tendering exercise which invited
02/09/2008
In advance of the reported announcement on councils and the housing market, the Local Government Association (LGA) is calling on ministers to make five key changes to allow people to stay in their homes if they are threatened by repossession and to alleviate pressure on the social housing waiting li
02/09/2008
Over 100 housing associations across England will join forces this week to urge their local MPs to play their part in stopping energy firms ripping off their poorest customers, in one of the biggest campaign drives the sector has ever seen. The powerful coalition, which collectively provides homes
02/09/2008
Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks has given the go-ahead to Thor Cogeneration Ltd to construct a 1,020MW gas-fired combined heat and power station at Seal sands, Teeside. He has also given deemed planning permission for the development having agreed planning conditions with Stockton on Tees Borough Co
02/09/2008
Following a strong period of growth in the East Midlands, Turner & Townsend's Nottingham office has relocated to larger premises from the Norwich Union building where staff have been based for the past six years. During that time staff numbers have more than tripled to a total of 57 who support a g
02/09/2008
The Nant Gwrtheyrn Centre in North Wales will undergo a £4 million transformation following the announcement by Deputy First Minister, Ieuan Wyn Jones, that it is to receive a £1.8 million investment package creating twenty seven jobs and safeguarding five. The Centre on the Llŷn Peninsula is
02/09/2008
Liverpool's city centre waterfront is set to benefit from a £1.9 million investment from the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) for a programme of infrastructure, environmental and public realm improvements. The programme will deliver a wide range of projects including: The development of
01/09/2008
The Director of Alcon Construction Ltd of Norwich has been sentenced to 12 months jail after pleading guilty to the manslaughter of Wu Zhu Weng. Mr Sharaz Butt, also received a five-year disqualification from acting as a company director. Mr Butt was prosecuted by Norfolk police, with assistance f
01/09/2008
Network Rail is combining two pieces of essential rail improvement works at Bradway tunnel, South Yorkshire, on the line between Sheffield and Chesterfield in a total investment worth around £11m. The work will be carried out between 8 September and 13 December. Bradway tunnel was built between 18
01/09/2008
News that Tesco has abandoned its plans to create an eco-town at Hanley Grange is the latest blow to the Government's controversial eco-town plans, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). Already two other proposed eco-town projects have fallen by the wayside and in one scheme based in Peter
01/09/2008
Cllr Paul Bettison, Local Government Association (LGA) spokesperson, has responded to reports of measures on the housing market and repossessions. He said: "Anything that allows town halls to keep hard working families in their homes during tough times will be hugely beneficial. For decades council
01/09/2008
A TV reality programme that shows the nightmare of stressful building projects is only the 'tip of the iceberg', experts warned today. 'Don't Blame the Builder', screened on Channel 4, underlined anecdotal evidence that home construction projects can be a highly stressful experience for most househ
01/09/2008
Liverpool Football Club has announced that plans for their new £350 million stadium have been put on hold again. The club blamed 'global market conditions' and the impact of the current credit crunch. In a statement the club said: "Our commitment to building a new world-class LFC stadium is undimi
01/09/2008
HSE has notified bidders for the new gas installer registration scheme that it is awarding the contract to Capita Group Plc (CAPITA). The contract, which is valued at £14 million per annum, is awarded for a term of ten years and will be signed on 8 September 2008. The new scheme will strengthen a
01/09/2008
E.ON, one of the country's leading green generators, is on the verge of completing the installation of an armoured power cable that will get the UK's first offshore wind farm producing power again. Blyth offshore wind farm has been out of action from some time after the undersea power cable was dam
01/09/2008
Lovell has been chosen by Craven Housing Association, part of Yorkshire Housing Limited, to build a £2.4 million affordable housing development in the village of Hellifield, near Skipton, in North Yorkshire. Lovell will build 20 two- and three-bedroom houses for affordable rent and shared ownership
01/09/2008
A series of roadshows beginning this week, Saturday 6 September, is being organised to explain why Peterborough City Council needs to develop new materials recycling and energy-from-waste facilities to end the environmental damage caused when rubbish is buried in landfill sites. Prior to the roadsh
