Construction news

• Construction buyers report fastest downturn since 2020

  06-03-2025 12:17
  
  Construction buyers saw industry activity drop at its fastest rate for nearly five years in February.
  The bellwether S&P Global UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index fell to 44.6 in February from 48.1 in January – the lowest mark since May 2020.
  Residential building (index at 39.3) decreased for the fifth month in a row and was the weakest-performing area of construction activity in February.
  Survey respondents cited weak demand conditions, headwinds from elevated borrowing
  
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• Bidders day for £15bn schools alliance framework

  06-03-2025 09:12
  
  The Department for Education is holding a bidders day at the start of next week ahead of inviting tenders to renew the mega framework for the sector.
  The existing Construction Framework (CF21) is set to expire in November 2025.
  This will be replaced with a new construction framework estimated to be worth over £15bn based on a six-year term with the option to extend for a further two years.The DfE is working on a more collaborative approach designed to speed up the delivery of projects unde
  
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• £230m Southampton waterfront scheme approved

  06-03-2025 08:50
  
  A major Southampton waterfront scheme of over 400 flats and a hotel around a marina has got the planning thumbs up.
  The Town Quay scheme by developer Nicholas James Group will be spread across three identical 25-storey residential buildings and a seven-storey block nearby.
  The project also includes a 9-storey building with two connected elements on the existing pier comprising a hotel with 128 bedrooms and 18 serviced apartments, spa, restaurants and conferencing facilities.The large footprint b
  
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• MPs told safety regulator delays forcing industry job cuts

  06-03-2025 08:44
  
  The head of the Construction Leadership Council has warned MPs that delays gaining building safety regulator approvals on projects are now one of three major blockages to delivering Government housing targets.
  Mark Reynolds, co-chair of the CLC, was giving evidence to MPs on the Housing Committee investigating whether Government housing targets can be met.
  He said that Gateway 2 approvals needed to start construction had joined planning and nutrient neutrality issues as the chief blockers of del
  
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• Bauhaus block above Southwark Station gets green light

  06-03-2025 08:40
  
  A joint venture between Places for London and developer Helical has received a resolution to grant planning approval from the London Borough of Southwark for a 15 storey student accommodation scheme and an adjacent nine storey affordable housing block above Southwark Tube station.
  The development designed by architects AHMM will include a new Bauhaus-inspired block which will house the student element.
  The site previously had planning permission for a 220,000 sq ft office scheme.Scott Anderson,
  
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