Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
UK Construction News Archive for April 2011
29/04/2011
The announcement of GDP growth masks the perilous state of the building industry as construction activity fell by 4.7 per cent which is dragging down the UK's economic recovery, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). Brian Berry Director of External Affairs at the FMB said: "Unfortunately, t
29/04/2011
High performance building materials from Natural Building Technologies (NBT) have been specified for one of the UK's most sustainable developments, One Brighton. NBT's building systems provided exceptional thermal performance levels and helped the development achieve a true zero carbon status and
29/04/2011
A partnership led by TV presenter Kevin McCloud has submitted detailed plans to deliver sustainable, community-owned housing on the derelict Cashes Green hospital site in Stroud, Gloucestershire. Hab Oakus, a joint venture between Mr McCloud's company Hab and housing group GreenSquare, has applied
29/04/2011
Kier Southern is in line to build, subject to contract, a new £19 million design & build historical resource centre, near Falmer in Brighton, for East Sussex County Council. A partnership project between East Sussex County Council, Brighton & Hove City Council and the University of Sussex, The Keep
29/04/2011
The owner of a Bristol scaffolding company has been fined after the death of one of its employees who fell from a temporary roof he was dismantling. Shaun Stevens, 41, fell about four metres while deconstructing a temporary corrugated sheet roof at Flooks Scaffolding at the Old Brains Factory, Brid
29/04/2011
Up to 15,000 homes could benefit from solar power installations costing as little as £99 as part of a scheme being run by E.ON, one of the UK's leading energy companies. Up to £150 million is being invested in the SolarExchange scheme which could see those E.ON customers taking part becoming more e
29/04/2011
Construction union UCATT have welcomed the announcement by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) that they are doubling the number of compliance officers examining employment agencies and gangmasters. The HMRC believe that by employing 100 additional officers they will generate an additional £500 million
29/04/2011
Goodfellow has announced they have opened a wood flooring showroom at their UK distribution warehouse in Wrexham. The UK product focus is heavily on high quality Solid and Engineered Hardwood Flooring, though we can and do supply other Goodfellow products to the UK and Ireland, such as decking and
28/04/2011
Cash is king when it comes to house purchases as the market for mortgages becomes harder and harder to access. There has been a huge rise in the proportion of homebuyers paying for their new homes in cash. According to figures compiled by the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) in January 2011, near
28/04/2011
The latest figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) indicate a 0.5% rise in GDP, but a fall in construction output for the first quarter of 2011. Despite an overall growth in the economy, the Association has expressed concerns that the suggested size of the fall in construction
28/04/2011
While athletes will be bidding for 'Gold' next year, the methods used in the construction of venues for the Olympic Games aim instead for 'Green'. The event - which will open at the end of July 2012 - aims to cut the carbon footprint by 100,000 tonnes of carbon emissions. The procurement of materi
28/04/2011
The Wellington College sponsored Wellington Academy opened this week near Tidworth in Wiltshire. The design of the £32m academy, for Wiltshire County Council, responds to the rural site with the plan arrangement loosely paralleling the house system in use at the college. Principal Andy Schofield
28/04/2011
A new iPhone App has been launched by Aico, a leading UK fire and CO detection company, for busy contractors on the move. Handyfacts will cover all the key information needed when fitting fire, smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms. The new App features direct links from the contents page to rele
28/04/2011
A New York-born artist wants to create a giant pumpkin sculpture for Gwydr Forest near Llanrwst in Conwy to celebrate the area's pumpkin growers. The proposed 40m (131ft) high art piece was envisioned by Steven Brower, who says he was inspired when he went to see a pantomime at Llandudno. Gwydr Fo
28/04/2011
East Sussex County Council has commissioned Kier Southern to build a new £19m design & build historical resource centre, near Falmer in Brighton. A partnership project between East Sussex County Council, Brighton & Hove City Council and the University of Sussex, the resource centre will house hist
27/04/2011
A French business, Nergeco, that has become a worldwide specialist for productivity doors - and is present within more than 75 countries - is now offering an expanded range of automatic and flexible doors equipped with their new Intelligent Curtain. The Dunieres firm said that it increases insulati
27/04/2011
The faltering construction industry is hindering the UK's economy recovery. Gross Domestic Product, (GDP) only grew modestly at the start of the year, hindered by a further sharp drop in construction - but making it likely that the Bank of England will keep interest rates at record lows for some mo
27/04/2011
The construction industry has been hit hard due to reduced government investment and a lack of house building, according to the latest Glenigan Index. Overall, the Index for March dropped by 31% compared to the same time last year. James Abraham, Economist at Glenigan, said: "Glenigan recorded a 6
27/04/2011
A Nottinghamshire welding firm has been prosecuted for safety failings after a worker was seriously injured when he plunged from a barn roof onto a grain bucket. Mansfield magistrates heard that the labourer, who does not wish to be identified, was replacing cement roof sheets on an outbuilding at
27/04/2011
Around 10,000 jobs could be created in a major boost for the region as a result of plans to create a £250 million economic hub at Coventry Airport. Sir Peter Rigby, who bought Coventry Airport last April, has announced a major scheme which could create up to 10,000 jobs by 2015. The vision of Sir
27/04/2011
Marking the start of a new era of Fire and Rescue provision in Gloucestershire, firefighters from Cheltenham Fire station have moved into their new temporary home, in preparation for a complete rebuild of the fire services facilities on the existing site. The outdated Cheltenham Fire Station on Key
27/04/2011
The workforce on the Olympic Park and Athletes’ Village has reached 12,635 as the ‘big build’ nears completion. As well as the economic legacy that is being created for people and companies working on the Park and Village, thousands more people across the UK are gaining employment and training help
27/04/2011
Visitors are getting up close and personal to Britain’s oldest art thanks to £91,000 worth of improvements at historic Creswell Crags. The limestone gorge and caves, bordering Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, now boasts interactive museum exhibits and a new viewing platform in Church Hole cavern –
21/04/2011
The number of people working on the construction of the Olympic Park and Athletes' Village has reached 12,635 as the 'big build' nears completion. As well as the economic legacy that is being created for people and companies working on the Park and Village, thousands more people across the UK are g
21/04/2011
A Nottinghamshire welding firm has been prosecuted for safety failings after a worker was seriously injured when he plunged from a barn roof onto a grain bucket. Mansfield magistrates heard the labourer, who does not wish to be identified, was replacing cement roof sheets on an outbuilding at Clips
21/04/2011
Mortgage lending has soared this Spring - by 21% during March - as both buyers and people remortgaging returned to the market. A total of £11.3 billion was advanced during the month, the highest level since November, but still slightly down on the £11.5 billion that was lent in March last year, the
21/04/2011
The Miller Group has been awarded a management contract for Ludgate Hill Developments with a residential development value of £100 million. The contract consists of 10 sites which are located mainly in the North East and North West of England. The sites will be re-branded and fully integrated as pa
21/04/2011
Employers will be given an added incentive to train this year, after CITB-ConstructionSkills' industry-led Board announced that levy payers will receive an extra 12% supplementary payment on their grant claims for the next three years. From 1 August, this 12% bonus will be added to the 10% rate int
21/04/2011
One of Europe's largest manufacturers of high-quality power supply equipment, The Socomec Group, has appointed Andrew Wilkinson to head up its UK subsidiary, Socomec UPS. An experienced business leader with a very successful track record growing innovative international market-focused technology bu
21/04/2011
One of the UK's leading designers, manufacturers and installers of carports and canopies, GRP Canopies, has launched its new glass veranda range. The new product is unique with its cantilevered design, covered by UK and EU patents. With optional inbuilt heaters, lighting (LED) and sound system the
21/04/2011
A Midland's business whose work already extends through the domestic quarter to schools, factories, nursing homes and shops is offering a fully comprehensive building service - specifically on repointing works. "Our company, we feel, is able to offer a more personal service that suits the needs of
20/04/2011
Network Rail has today unveiled new plans to transform London Bridge, to create a bigger and better station for passengers and enable a more frequent and reliable train service to operate. The plans include a new concourse that is bigger than the pitch at Wembley, which will sit underneath the trac
20/04/2011
Lee Valley White Water Centre, the only brand new London 2012 venue that the public can use and enjoy ahead of the Games, has opened. A number of athletes and the London 2012 mascots were joined at the event by young people from across London as the new home of the GB Canoe Slalom team was launched
20/04/2011
The Competition Commission (CC) has today confirmed the undertakings that will continue to control Centrica's ownership and operation of the Rough gas storage facility. The CC has been reviewing the undertakings that were first given by Centrica Storage and Centrica following its acquisition in 200
20/04/2011
Skanska-Laing Consortium has reached financial close for the Croydon & Lewisham Street Lighting PFI Project. Skanska and John Laing will each invest £4.5 million, and Skanska will receive a construction contract worth £74 million, which will be included in the Skanska order bookings for the second
20/04/2011
British Land and the Blackstone Group have announced that the City of London Planning Committee has granted planning permission for a new world class office building for financial services firm UBS at 5 Broadgate. 5 Broadgate will provide a total net office floor space of approximately 700,000 sq
20/04/2011
Wandsworth Council leader Edward Lister is to take over as the Mayor of London's chief of staff and deputy mayor for planning. Cllr Lister, who has led Wandsworth since 1992 succeeds Sir Simon Milton who died last week. He is expected to begin work at City Hall next month. Under Cllr Lister's lead
20/04/2011
A contracting firm was sentenced today after workers at a major renovation site in Plymouth were exposed to asbestos containing material. CLC Contractors Ltd of Vincent Avenue, Shirley, Southampton, was fined a total of £10,000 and ordered to pay £3,064 in costs in a case brought by the Health and
20/04/2011
Affordable housing contractor, Wates Living Space, has recruited a highly regarded expert from the energy sector in order to bolster its burgeoning growth strategy within the renewable and energy efficiency markets in the built environment. Miles Hearn joins the affordable housing division of the f
20/04/2011
Speedy has been recognised by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) in its 2011 Occupational Health and Safety Awards. Winning a silver award for its commitment to health and safety across the construction industry, Speedy will be presented with the accolade at a ceremony held n
19/04/2011
Mansell has won a £3.1m contract to build 22 dwellings in Waltham Forest for the London Borough. The project, which has been designed by Bell Phillips Architects, will be traditionally constructed, comprising a mixture of two and three-storey family homes and flats. Built to achieve Level 4 of the
19/04/2011
A Hampshire roofing boss has been fined after workers were spotted removing roof tiles without scaffolding or safety barriers to prevent them falling. Dan Shea, who also traded as Blackmoor Roofing, of Liss bought used roof tiles from a demolition company dismantling a house in Esher, Surrey on the
19/04/2011
Travelodge is targeting a £100 million, 36 site expansion programme in partnership with the UK's pub companies by 2015. Already co-located with pub companies on 15 developments across the UK, Travelodge is now actively working with Greene King, JW Lees, Marston's, Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) and JD W
19/04/2011
The implementation of new international accountancy standards could reduce the book value of England's housing associations by over £1 billion and cost £150m in red tape – prompting fears that plans for thousands of new affordable homes will now be axed to cover the costs of the new system, the Nati
19/04/2011
Stations of any size could benefit from a new £100m station improvement fund launched by Network Rail and the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC). To be eligible, proposals must make improvements to the station environment and also reduce the overall public subsidy for rail by generatin
19/04/2011
Symphony Housing Group, one of the region's biggest housing and regeneration organisations, has started work to develop 21 new apartments on the site of a Stockport landmark. Planning permission was granted in December 2010 to redevelop the Reform Club in Heaton Moor, Stockport. Andrea Swanwick Sen
19/04/2011
The Northern Ireland construction and maintenance firm, Red Sky, has gone into voluntary administration. There are now fears over staffing after the NI Housing Executive (NIHE) last week cancelled all maintenance contracts with Red Sky following a top-level inquiry into the contractor's work. An i
19/04/2011
EDF Energy, has signed a partnership agreement with Daikin to supply the Altherma range of air source heat pumps to its domestic customers across Great Britain. This is in response to the growing interest in renewable heating technologies from customers and their desire to reduce their energy dem
19/04/2011
Newly released updates to Gang-Nail Systems' timber frame application offers users a whole host of new features that make easy work of design, manufacture and estimation processes. Each of the software applications includes new features in response to specific client feedback, an important aspect o
18/04/2011
Mansell's Yorkshire regional business unit has won an award for its work in explaining the construction industry to young people. Mansell was presented with the 'Outstanding Business Partner 2008-2011' Award by Doncaster Enterprise 4 Learning which connects young people and their teachers to busine
18/04/2011
Project partners have gathered to celebrate the topping out of the new Network Rail National Centre in Milton Keynes. The main structure is now complete on the 400,000 sq ft, four-storey building nine months after construction started. Built on the site of the former hockey stadium owned by the Ho
18/04/2011
Construction union UCATT won £7.1 million in accident compensation on behalf of its members in 2010. This is an increase on the figure £6.35 million of compensation awarded to UCATT members in 2009. George Guy, Acting General Secretary of UCATT, said: "These figures demonstrate that construction wo
18/04/2011
Balfour Beatty, the international infrastructure group, announces today that Balfour Beatty Rail has agreed to sell its UK trackwork manufacturing business to Progress Rail Services, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc. The trackwork business designs and manufactures manganese steel castin
18/04/2011
Costain has come top in the Highways Agency's new supplier assessment process, which scores the services of its key highway suppliers, and was commended for how well it matched the Agency's strategic direction in its role as network operator on England's motorways and major trunk roads. Costain cam
18/04/2011
Wyre Forest District Council has announced that the construction contract for its new HQ has been awarded to Thomas Vale Construction. The contract is worth £6.9m. Ian Miller, Chief Executive of the Council, said: "There was strong competition for the construction contract, and in the final stage w
18/04/2011
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has confirmed work will start this summer on a cable car across the Thames helping to boost the on-going regeneration of east London. This follows the appointment of a world-class consortium to build and operate the cable car with Mace as lead contractor. The
18/04/2011
BAM Construction Ltd has been announced as the preferred contractor for the construction of the new custody suite and operational base to be built on Clough Road, Hull. This step marks another milestone in this project, which the Police Authority and Humberside Police have been planning since 2007.
18/04/2011
Architects, building consultants or business clients are often looking for a commercial building and refurbishment specialist who they can rely on for a complete range of cost effective office refurbishment and shop fitting services. Apple Solutions has years of experience providing outstanding lev
15/04/2011
Passengers at Waterloo station are set to benefit from better retail facilities and more space on the concourse as work begins in preparation for the construction of a new retail balcony. The scheme will create 20,000 sq ft of new retail space at first-floor level allowing kiosks currently in the m
15/04/2011
Work has started on the development of a £1.12 million project which will deliver nine much-needed new affordable homes in Barnstaple. One three-bed and eight two-bed homes will be built with part-funding from North Devon Council and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) on the Maldram Mill develo
15/04/2011
Willmott Dixon is to create a Morrisons supermarket with several retail firsts that could become standard practice as the sector looks to cut running costs by reducing reliance on fossil fuel energy. The £9.5 million 4,162 m area supermarket in Peterborough will be the first in Europe to be
15/04/2011
One of the industry's most respected building products manufacturers Larsen which has been at the forefront of the flooring market for over 30 years ran a seminar for architects, concrete producers, leading house builders and contractors to hear the latest thinking in using recycled waste product an
15/04/2011
A new report to be launched on today, Friday 15th April, demonstrates the importance of providing financial support and money advice for social tenants. It highlights the financial savings achieved for thousands of individuals and their landlords over the last two years of a national programme. M
15/04/2011
British Gas has become a lead sponsor of the Home Move Box direct marketing initiative in a twelve-month deal that will see Britain's leading energy supplier provide home movers with a series of energy and home services offers and incentives. The agreement with Home Move Box follows recent announc
15/04/2011
Henry Boot Construction (HBC) has announced the creation of a Renewable Division that will focus on new markets in the micro-generation renewable energy sector – initially working with ground and air source heat pumps, wind power and solar photovoltaic systems. The division demonstrates HBC's commi
15/04/2011
Whirlpool Baths in the UK today, offering the latest contemporary designs and using the highest quality materials at the very best prices. Every bath we produce is manufactured to the highest possible industry standard, meaning your purchase will be both hassle-free and great value. The Whirlpool
14/04/2011
Crossrail has announced that a contract notice has been placed in the Official Journal of the European Union seeking expressions of interest for the central section signalling system. The value of the contract is in the region of £75 million. Crossrail will operate a high-frequency metro service of
14/04/2011
Construction union UCATT is calling for Judith Hackitt the Chair of the Health and Safety Executive to undertake a "reality check". The union made the call following the publication of the HSE's Delivery Plan for 2011/12, where she states: "Our role is to enable innovation that brings economic grow
14/04/2011
Two roofers were caught on CCTV working on top of a Balderton shopping centre without any safety equipment, a court heard. Newark Magistrates' Court has fined contractors Graham Nicholson Roofing Ltd after the men were seen risking their lives on the roof of Cooperative Travel at the Lakeside Centr
14/04/2011
Pupils and staff have celebrated the start of work on a £25.5 million building for Shirebrook Academy and Stubbin Wood School. The 'co-located' building at Shirebrook Academy’s site in Common Lane was planned as part of Derbyshire Building Schools for the Future scheme. Academy facilities include
14/04/2011
Kier Group has announced that it has agreed to acquire Lloyds Banking Group's 50 per cent interest in their jointly owned portfolio of real estate assets. The assets are owned by Kier Developments Limited and its subsidiaries. As a result of the transaction, Kier Property Limited, a subsidiary of K
14/04/2011
More than a quarter of homes have received incorrect energy bills over the last two years - with one in 10 having done so on 'multiple occasions', according to new research. The findings relate to differences between estimated and actual bills which, according to energy switching website uSwitch, h
14/04/2011
Midlands based award winning contractor Thomas Vale Construction is celebrating after breaking several records throughout the year. The Housing Division has achieved a record number of 260 affordable Housing completions during the month of March 2011 alone. Over the last 12 months it has delivered
14/04/2011
Queen Mary University Library London Welcome to the third of our Project Reviews. This is one for the Queen Mary University Library in London. Thanks must first go to the Contractor, Consultant and Client for allowing us to use this installation for one of our Project Reviews. Queen Mary Universit
14/04/2011
It is a time of great opportunity for tradesmen and women. The property market is in freefall and so people look to improve rather than move. Although 60% of Brits plan home improvements this year, regulations ensure that the layperson can no longer tinker with whatever he fancies. The competent, ta
14/04/2011
Retail Glass Display Gondola New Range Launched Plastic Accessories Company Ltd is proud to announce the introduction of a superb new range of Glass Display Gondola’s. As part of our ever growing shop fittings range there are five standard glass gondola units, with either Grey or Beach base colour
13/04/2011
After an initial recovery in 2010 from the sharpest downturn in more than a generation, construction output is set to fall again in both 2011 and 2012 according to the latest forecasts from the Construction Products Association (CPA). The Association is forecasting that output will fall by just und
13/04/2011
Galliford Try, the housebuilding and construction group, announces that it has, in joint venture with affordable housing provider Home Group, been appointed preferred bidder on the £347 million Gateshead regeneration programme, one of the UK’s largest residential regeneration programmes. The consor
13/04/2011
A Halifax man's life was shattered after he plunged from the roof of a two-storey house because the firm he worked for paid scant attention to safe systems of working at height, a court was told. The worker, now 33, who does not wish to be identified, broke his back in the seven-metre fall from the
13/04/2011
The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government has today approved Viridor's planning application for a Materials Recycling Facility and Energy from Waste Plant at Avonmouth. The Materials Recycling Facility will sort and separate large volumes of recyclable material ready for processin
13/04/2011
Kier North East has announced three recent appointments to its Hebburn office. Janine Danneker joins as business development manager and will be responsible for developing Kier's external customer base in the region, with an emphasis on formulating and implementing business strategy. She has previo
13/04/2011
Mansell has secured a £3 million affordable housing project in Crigglestone, near Wakefield for The Riverside Group. The development on Daw Green Avenue will comprise 25 properties in a mix of three-bedroom family homes and two-bedroom bungalows. Seventeen will be for social rent with the remainin
13/04/2011
Britain's aging railway stations set many challenges for their owners and operators, and work is being carried out throughout the country to make sure they are fit for purpose for the twenty-first century. Some need to be enlarged, or at least have their capacity increased, to handle the ever-grow
13/04/2011
Zero Clips can offer a wide range of HOSE CLIPS (Hose Clamps) and associated products, including two eared 'O' clips. The service we offer is first class and we feel that no other company can compete with our wide range of hose clips that we hold in stock. Our range includes:
12/04/2011
Construction, infrastructure and design business Morgan Sindall plc has started work on a £23 million building at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU). The new space will be used by Manchester School of Art, which provides a range of undergraduate and postgraduate art, design, media and archite
12/04/2011
Mansell has won a £1.7 million contract to construct a community centre and business hub in Helston, Cornwall for South Kerrier Alliance. The multi-use facility has been designed for community and business use. It will house micro-business units, a market hall/conference centre and accommodation fo
12/04/2011
The first round of the Regional Growth Fund (RGF) sees £450 million invested in businesses across Britain. The RGF is a £1.4bn fund which is designed to encourage enterprise, growth and jobs in the private sector and support areas and communities that are dependent on the public sector. The Govern
12/04/2011
Renewable Energy Generation Ltd (REG), the UK renewable energy group, has announced the grant of planning permission for its 6MW wind farm at South Sharpley in County Durham. The decision permits REG to install three wind turbines with a tip height of up to 100m on the site after discharge of plan
12/04/2011
UK construction company Wates Group Limited has announced a strong set of financial results for the year ended 31 December 2010. Turnover rose by 4% to £985 million and profit before tax increased by 12% to £43.5 million, representing the sixth consecutive year of operating profit growth. The perf
12/04/2011
New research from the Equality and Human Rights Commission sets out the business case for increasing diversity in the construction industry as a way for the sector to tackle its skills shortage. The report found that addressing race, gender, disability and age diversity also helps the industry to r
12/04/2011
EnergySolis Inverters Harland Simon has recognised the need to utilise existing and natural power sources and has recently teamed up with Italian company Aston Energy to provide the Energy Solis Photovoltaic Inverter. The EnergySolis series grid-connected Photovoltaic Inverter is delivered in a
12/04/2011
Ferrari Fan Technology (UK) Limited is pleased to announce their staircase pressurisation product range. To meet with the guidance for stairwell pressurisation systems in accordance with EN12101-6, we offer a kit comprising of a boxed axial fan in various sizes, a speed regulator (inverter) and pre
11/04/2011
Hillingdon Council has successfully prosecuted a local property development company for failing to complete works. Hodson Developments Ltd., was granted planning permission, subject to conditions, in October 2007 to build three detached properties. The conditions imposed upon the Northwood based co
11/04/2011
Willmott Dixon was declared Major Contractor of the Year at this year's Building awards. The UK's third largest privately owned capital works, regeneration and support services company saw annual turnover reach nearly £1 billion in 2009 – an increase of 68% since 2008. Group Chief Executive Rick W
11/04/2011
GMB members locked out of the BP bio fuel ethanol site at Saltend in Hull plan to come to London to the BP AGM to protest against the lock out. Talks convened by ACAS in Wakefield yesterday (Sunday 10th April) ended when the employers walked out of the talks. The protest will take place from 10.3
11/04/2011
A new carbon-reduction scheme is being introduced around the Olympic Park, along with plans for photovoltaic (PV) cells to be installed on the Main Press Centre (MPC). The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) will invest more than £1m in carbon reduction measures for local housing and schools in four o
11/04/2011
Iron technology leader Saint-Gobain PAM UK has responded to consumer demand by extending its Classical range of cast iron rainwater and gutter systems, with the introduction of a selection of square and rectangular pipes and fittings. Mike Rawlings, Marketing Manager – Soil & Drain for Saint-Gobain
11/04/2011
A long-term strategy aimed at helping manufacturers of commercial vehicles and construction equipment move to low carbon solutions has been published today. The roadmap is the first to be published in Europe with this level of detail and outlines the drivers and timescales of technology development
11/04/2011
Surrey County Council has driven a hard bargain to save taxpayers £200,000 a year on a deal to paint road markings. At a meeting of the Cabine, members agreed to award Wilson and Scott the £1.5 million-a-year contract that will begin on 28 April. The firm will be responsible for painting all Surre
11/04/2011
The Lyvennet Community Trust (LCT), one of the first community groups supported as part of the Big Society, has been given the green light, meaning work can push forward on its community-driven affordable housing project in Eden. Sign off by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) of a £600,000 inve
11/04/2011
In a major effort to boost housing supply, dormant offices will be unshackled from a bureaucratic planning system so they can be transformed into new homes under proposals unveiled by Communities Secretary Eric Pickles. Beyond the inherited economic conditions the Government believes one of the key
08/04/2011
Castleford Tigers has received detailed planning consent for its new stadium at Glasshoughton. In a meeting at the Town Hall, the Wakefield Council Planning Committee confirmed the detailed planning application submitted by the club in December for a 13,300 capacity stadium has successfully been ap
08/04/2011
Mortgage lending increased slightly in February after a particularly downbeat January, according to new figures from the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML). There were 32,300 loans for house purchase, worth £4.6 billion, up 8% by volume and 5% by value from January, but down 12% (by volume and value
08/04/2011
Three Sheffield workers were almost overcome by fumes when a decontamination unit began to fill with deadly carbon monoxide, a court heard. The men were part of a five-strong team working in an asbestos enclosure on a demolition site in Huddersfield in November 2009. After working for 90 minutes, e
08/04/2011
Mansell's North West team has handed over Royton Health and Wellbeing Centre on programme and on budget. The £9.1 million development, procured through the NHS Oldham LIFT scheme, replaced and enhanced the current outdated estate, providing a state-of-the-art multidisciplinary health facility. Bil
08/04/2011
Construction union UCATT has warned that Government plans to give social housing tenants responsibility for repairs to their homes, could increase the risk of people being exposed to asbestos and is a recipe for spiralling costs and poorer maintenance work. The Conservative-led Government are propo
08/04/2011
Bonds is a family run and owned, fourth generation company established in 1916. We are a local authority approved contractor, Babtie registered and Insurance Company recommended. Through the first two generations Bonds have been a faithful, professional and dedicated contractor for Local Authoriti
08/04/2011
At Plan2Plant, we are specialists in the supply and planting of quality Trees, Shrubs, Bulbs and Turf. With over 20 years professional experience in horticulture and soft landscaping our staff pride themselves in quality products and service. We take on both domestic and commercial projects working
08/04/2011
SUPPORT BRITISH MANUFACTURING CONVERTER SOLUTIONS FOR THE SMALL & MEDIUM-SIZED WORKSHOP (WHERE THERE IS ONLY A SINGLE-PHASE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY AVAILABLE) There are many rural and home workshop environments where it is not viable for the local electricity supply company to provide a machine user w
07/04/2011
Crossrail has announced its intention to award the remaining tunnel contracts for Europe’s largest construction project. The two contracts for Thames Tunnel construction and Connaught Tunnel refurbishment are worth in the region of £225m and will deliver the construction of around 3km of twin-bore
07/04/2011
Balfour Beatty, the international infrastructure group, has announced that Balfour Beatty WorkPlace has acquired Power Efficiency, the energy procurement and carbon strategy consultancy, for a cash consideration of up to £18 million. Power Efficiency, which is an employee-owned firm, is a leader in
07/04/2011
The Mayor of London has confirmed the continuation of key energy efficiency programmes funded by the London Development Agency which will set the capital firmly on track to create green growth and new jobs in a low carbon economy. As a result of the leverage of substantial levels of money from a ra
07/04/2011
A housing developer's plan to build on privately-owned land in Minet Drive in Hayes will now provide low density housing and upgrade the borough's Grassy Meadows cricket and football pitches, as a result of conditions imposed by Hillingdon Council's Planning Committee. The original application, by
07/04/2011
A special topping out event to mark the next key milestone in the building of the new Five Islands School in Old Town, St Mary’s in the Isles of Scilly took place yesterday. Assisted by two students, Isles of Scilly Council chairman Mike Hicks and chief executive Philip Hygate joined Kier Western o
07/04/2011
Geosynthetics Ltd and Deeproot recently exhibited at the Ecobuild Exhibition in London. Ecobuild is the one of the worlds largest events for sustainable design, construction and the built environment with 600 speakers and 1300 exhibitors. On display was our
07/04/2011
After remaining derelict for more than 25 years, the 44 acre Bath Western Riverside site is now a hive of activity with construction on the first new homes under way. Having secured outline planning approval for more 2,000 homes and detailed planning for Phase 1 in late 2010, developer Crest Nichol
07/04/2011
A report published by the Welsh Assembly Government shows that the vast majority of the 221,000 homes owned and managed by Housing Associations and local authorities will achieve the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) by the deadlines given. 86% of Housing Associations working towards the origin
07/04/2011
GQA Qualifications has on many occasions supported, via sponsorship or prizes, activities across its glass and related sphere of influence; including Proskills Apprenticeship Awards, the Master Fitter Competition, the Schools Technology Challenge, etc. GQA is pleased to be associated in 2011 with t
07/04/2011
Saniflo Macerators Pumps are a small successful family business based in West Yorkshire. We have been in business since 1997, We originally started out in the domestic plumbing and heating industry, we now supply waste disposal macerator pumps to the plumbing industry. We stock our own brand Unif
07/04/2011
Are you having your roof works independently surveyed and tested? SURVEYROOF offer unbiased, independent roof surveys & testing using our cost effective electronic leak detection methods! Tests can be performed in either dry or wet conditions! Cost effective way of integrity testing/maintaining an
06/04/2011
Three private sector organisations have been shortlisted to submit best and final offers for the purchase and long-term management of the Olympic Village. They are:
06/04/2011
Mansell has won a £6.4 million project to create 60 affordable flats in Southampton for Thorner's Homes. The contract involves demolition of the majority of the existing properties and traditional construction of 56 new build affordable flats. The listed Bell Tower building will be converted to cre
06/04/2011
Barratt Developments, has joined forces with European Logistics Management (ELM), a member of the Scott Group, to launch a specialist pallet repatriation service for all its building projects across the UK. John Adams, Group Procurement Director at Barratt Developments, said: "As part of an initia
06/04/2011
A construction apprentice turned management trainee from Derby is building the next stage of his career after being earmarked by Lovell as one of its stars of the future. John Scowby has been promoted to the post of management trainee. The 19-year-old impressed his bosses during his apprenticeship
06/04/2011
Carillion has won facilities management contracts for the Nationwide Building Society and for Virgin Media that together are worth up to £204 million. The contract with Nationwide Building Society is for the provision of facilities management services for the Society’s entire property portfolio in
06/04/2011
A property developer put his workers at risk by failing to identify the presence of asbestos before allowing them to start work on a nightclub in Wrexham. Michael Murton, 36, of Bewdley, near Kidderminster, instructed contractors to remove sprayed coating containing amosite (brown asbestos) from st
06/04/2011
Construction union UCATT are warning up to 500,000 construction workers to be aware that many employers are trying to deny them their full holiday entitlement. The workers concerned are employed under the terms of the Construction Industry Joint Council, Working Rule Agreement. In February 2011 uni
06/04/2011
A FirstBuy Prospectus has been published by the Homes and Communities Agency today, setting out more detail on the new equity loan affordable home ownership scheme announced in the Budget, and inviting house builders to bring forward developments for consideration. Backed by £210 million Government
06/04/2011
Citizens Advice and energy regulator Ofgem today launched their Energy Best Deal campaign on-line. Consumers are now just clicks away from getting impartial advice from Citizens Advice and Ofgem on how to keep the cost of energy as low as possible through energy efficiency and getting a better dea
06/04/2011
Universal Container Services are a leading supplier of new and used shipping containers. Our Container Park divisions provide container storage and repair services for many international shipping lines. Our container parks also comprise multiple reefer test facilities offering full PTI , servicing
05/04/2011
London Road, a major new affordable housing scheme in Hounslow has reached a construction milestone. Affordable housing provider Catalyst Housing Group joined Mansell and the Mayor of Hounslow to celebrate the 'topping out' ceremony. The framework of the new £15 million scheme is now in place than
05/04/2011
Housing Minister Grant Shapps has called on councils to sit down with residents and decide how to spend the rewards of going for growth. The Minister confirmed the first cash payments through the New Homes Bonus, totalling almost £200m for areas building new homes. In a letter to council leaders,
05/04/2011
A 'one stop planning shop' for both big league developers and people wanting house extensions is being set up by Plymouth Council. Planners and the building control team will be working more closely together as part of a series of improvements designed to make development work simpler. And for the
05/04/2011
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has praised the construction of venues for the London 2012 Games on its latest visit to the capital. The IOC Coordination Commission visited the Olympic Stadium, the Velodrome and the first completed residential block of the Athletes' Village, and was impre
05/04/2011
The British Property Federation (BPF) has questioned a move that would see council staff having to wheel and deal with local landlords to reduce their rent in return for the comfort of getting paid directly. It has been confirmed today that this policy will only last for two years. Previously Wel
05/04/2011
The Energy Bill needs to be more ambitious if it is to succeed in getting householders to make their homes more energy efficient, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) and WWF in a joint statement issued. The joint statement marks the launch of the joint 'Demand a Better Bill' campaign, led
05/04/2011
Service and Maintenance work can be the most profitable category of work for Commercial Roofing Contractors and Building, Project & Construction Consultants/Surveyors. Many contractors and consultants are now dedicating sales teams to this lucrative opportunity. Every leak can be an up-sell. Contr
05/04/2011
For Bosch Power Tools, Festool,Festool ts55, Paslode nailgun, Paslode nails, Paslode im350, Paslode brads, Fein Multimaster and if your Lucky enough to live in The West Midlands delivery is free on all orders over £25.00 plus vat. Corroy are a specialist supplier of industrial powertools such as Bo
05/04/2011
Balcony Systems returns to Grand Designs Live in May with its market-leading range of stunning curved patio doors, elegant glass and aluminium balustrades and affordable Juliette balconies. Its stand B124 at Excel from April 30 to May 8 will demonstrate how its innovative and simple-to-install prod
04/04/2011
Morgan Sindall has been awarded the contract to construct the University of Leicester's new Cardiovascular Research Centre (CRC) at Leicester's Glenfield Hospital. The firm will deliver a four-storey extension to the hospital's existing clinical sciences wing which houses the University's medical r
04/04/2011
Waitrose has announced plans for a new regional distribution centre (RDC) which will create up to 600 jobs and provide a platform for the chain's future expansion within the North of England and Scotland. Subject to planning consent, Waitrose has reached an agreement with Evander Properties and Bri
04/04/2011
Planning permission has been granted on Bedford Borough Council's new £22.5 million Bedford Academy following work by preferred bidder Willmott Dixon, Bond Bryan Architects and the Academy to develop an inspiring and practical design for the new building. Designed with a central communal hub and l
04/04/2011
A Coventry construction firm has been prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after repeatedly breaching health and safety regulations. Coventry Magistrates' Court heard that an inspection carried out at Coventry Construction Ltd's Torrington Avenue premises, where an incident ten years
04/04/2011
Lovell invited members of a local employment programme with an interest in construction careers to visit a new housing development it is building in Wrexham. The company, which is carrying out a £1.68 million scheme to create 14 new homes for Clwyd Alyn Housing Association, a member of the Pennaf H
04/04/2011
Mansell has secured a place on the Riverside Partnership Framework, one of the largest housing frameworks ever put out to tender. The four-year national partnering framework has been split into three price bands, across 28 separate geographic lots. Mansell has successfully secured a place on all pr
04/04/2011
Maibec Timber Cladding from the A. Proctor Group has recently been installed onto a project at Trewhiddle Leisure Village in St.Austell in Cornwall. A prestigious development of detached luxury holiday villas within this unique Cornish holiday development showcased the natural beauty of maibec cla
04/04/2011
Liverpool-based Total Glass, one of the UK's leading PVC-U and aluminium fabricators, has helped to transform an ageing multi-storey block of flats with the imaginative use of coloured PVC-U windows and feature glazing. From the outset, Total Glass worked closely with the project architects and mai
04/04/2011
Proseal Conservatories & Windows Ltd was established in 2003 as a manufacturer and supplier of quality uPVC products throughout South Wales. Proprietors Bob Gibbons and Gerry Jones, both have many years experience in the industry. The smooth running of the business is overseen by Diane Griffiths,
04/04/2011
Glazing damaged as a result of scratching, or which has become so heavily stained that conventional window cleaning techniques are ineffective, needs professional restoration. REFACE™ are market leaders in glass scratch removal, polishing and repair. We offer a comprehensive range of on-site solutio
01/04/2011
Construction progress on London's Athletes' Village was praised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the first residential plot was completed. The IOC's tour of the Village was part of their biannual Coordination Commission visit, and coincided with the release of the new Olympic Park fl
01/04/2011
An international packing company put the lives of its workers at risk over several years at its West Yorkshire site, a court has been told. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) uncovered a long-term and systemic failure to ensure the safety of employees during the construction of wooden packing cr
01/04/2011
John Sisk & Son has been working on site at the English Cities Fund (ECf) scheme since the groundbreaking in December 2010. It has recently completed all of the piling work ahead of schedule and the basement bulk excavation work is well underway. The cranes were erected by London Tower Cranes and B
01/04/2011
Eaga has announced it has concluded negotiations with the UK Department for Energy and Climate Change for an extension to its contract to deliver the Warm Front Scheme across England. The contract will run to 31 March 2013 and has total funding allocated across the period to March 2013 of approxim
01/04/2011
Plymouth residents could cut their electricity bills and carbon emissions with the help of a little gadget from the City Council. Home energy monitors hook up to the electricity supply to help people spot energy guzzling devices and activities. They show how much electricity is being used in pounds
01/04/2011
There is now a practical alternative to scaffolding for building maintenance, Inspections, cleaning and painting etc at about 1/10 of the cost. Access solutions for building maintenance can be challenging, especially for complex structures where conventional methods may be neither practical nor aes
01/04/2011
An Apex Heritage Cast Iron Rainwater System from Alumasc has been used to re-create a 1920’s period appearance at Imperial War Museum London. During the refurbishment of the iconic main museum building, Alumasc's Apex Cast Iron downpipes and hopper heads were specified for their compliance with Eng
01/04/2011
Hewitson Fabrications online We specialize in all types of construction projects from secondary steelwork through to staircases and stainless steel and glass solutions. Based in West Yorkshire, we're a highly experienced family business with skills passed down from generation to generation. Our b
01/04/2011
Due to our large database of customers and new business coming through the door, we have decided to keep our customers and new customers updated on special offers and all goings on via the Twitter website, whether you are you looking internal doors, external doors, door entrances, door fittings
