Construction news

• Clients ‘ignoring building safety’ reforms

  08-01-2025 09:13 via constructionenquirer.com
  
  Construction clients are failing to engage with the new building safety regime, according to research carried out by trade body the Building Engineering Services Association.
  The heating and ventilation contractor trade body has spent the last six months canvassing its members to gauge take-up of measures introduced under the Building Safety Act, in force since 2022.
  Far from seeing evidence of any significant culture change, they warn that pressure to deliver projects faster and more cheaply wa
  
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• Laing O’Rourke loses £35m luxury flats court case

  03-02-2026 13:37 via constructionenquirer.com
  Residents of the UK’s most expensive apartment block have won a £35m legal battle against main contractor Laing O’Rourke.
  Flat owners at One Hyde Park in Knightsbridge now face a ten-year refurbishment programme to fix leaking pipework in the building.
  The luxury scheme was completed in 2011 by Laing O’Rourke Construction South.The One Hyde Park (OHP) freeholders launched a legal claim against the contractor in 2021 following years of unsuccessful talks over building defe
  
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• Olympian clears gateway 2 for Bristol’s tallest tower

  03-02-2026 09:22 via constructionenquirer.com
  Developer Olympian Homes has secured gateway 2 approval for what is set to become Bristol’s tallest building, unlocking construction on its major Haymarket development in the city centre.
  The scheme will deliver 442 student beds and 150 co-living units across two towers of 29 and 18 storeys. The project is being delivered in partnership with Cain, with RG Group now cleared to start work on site.
  The taller block will rise to 28 storeys to house student accommodation, alongside a separate 1
  
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• Anglian Water kicks off £1.5bn Tier 1 framework shake-up

  03-02-2026 09:04 via constructionenquirer.com
  Anglian Water has fired the starting gun on a £1.5bn Major Projects Framework as it reshapes how it delivers its biggest capital schemes across AMP8 and beyond.
  The utility is seeking up to two Tier 1 design and construction partners to take on major water and water recycling projects under a new long-term framework running initially from July 2026 to July 2031, with an option to extend to 2036.
  The procurement for the framework, previously called the Major Infrastructure Delivery Framewor
  
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• Job cuts at Avant Homes North East office

  03-02-2026 08:53 via constructionenquirer.com
  Avant Homes, the house builder run by former Persimmon boss Jeff Fairburn, is cutting more staff.
  The latest job losses come at its North East office.
  Last year roles were cut at its Central region before the firm announced an £83m pre-tax loss for the year to 30 June 2024 in its latest results.
  An Avant Homes spokesperson said: “Our industry continues to navigate challenging times due to the widely reported issues adversely impacting the UK’s housing supply and affecting the o
  
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• Domis breaks £250m turnover mark as operating margin tightens

  03-02-2026 08:36 via constructionenquirer.com
  Wigan-headquartered Domis Construction has surged through the £250m turnover mark after a year of rapid expansion, but profitability rates edged lower as the contractor absorbed the cost of an aborted scheme.
  Turnover jumped 56% to £253m in the year to 30 April 2025, up from £163m a year earlier, as the business ran an average of 10 live construction projects across residential and commercial work.
  Pre-tax profit rose to £7.6m from £6.5m, but operating margin slippe
  
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• Contractor jailed after teen demolition death

  03-02-2026 08:34 via constructionenquirer.com
  A self‑employed contractor has been jailed after a teenager fell to his death during demolition works on a property in Surrey.
  Jason Hill had hired 19-year-old Thomas Neate to help demolish a garage at a domestic property in preparation for an extension, at an address in Staines-upon-Thames.
  On 16 August 2023, Neate was on the garage roof removing tiles and other materials when he fell through an opening and suffered severe head injuries. He was taken to hospital but he died several weeks
  
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• Three step up as Willmott Dixon reshapes senior team

  03-02-2026 08:24 via constructionenquirer.com
  Willmott Dixon Group has promoted three senior leaders to managing director roles as it strengthens its leadership bench across social housing, interiors and regional construction.
  The internal promotions see Judy Hegarty take the top role at Fortem, Simon Ramage step up to lead Willmott Dixon’s London & East construction business, and Adam Worrall appointed managing director at Willmott Dixon Interiors.
  Hegarty’s promotion at Fortem comes as the social housing specialist presses
  
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• United Infrastructure adds Simkiss as buying spree rolls on

  02-02-2026 11:52 via constructionenquirer.com
  United Infrastructure has stepped up its acquisition drive in the energy and utilities market with the takeover of Rochdale-based control systems specialist Simkiss Group.
  The deal adds more than 25 years of engineering know-how to the group and strengthens its technical depth as demand grows for more complex, end-to-end delivery across regulated infrastructure.
  Simkiss Control Systems works in Rochdale
  Simkiss specialises in the design and build of control systems, control panels and switchgear
  
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• JRL resets with record £2bn order book after £49m loss

  02-02-2026 09:01 via constructionenquirer.com
  JRL Group chairman John Reddington said the diversified contractor is back on track to return to profitability this year after drawing a line under a bruising £49m loss and a business reset.
  The diversified London contractor has emerged from its inflation-hit slump with a record £2bn-plus order book, stronger liquidity and tighter grip on risk after Malaysian property and construction giant IJM Corporation took a 50% stake in the group last year boosting the balance sheet.
  Latest acc
  
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• Kier set to start Derbyshire double school job

  02-02-2026 09:00 via constructionenquirer.com
  Kier is set to start construction work on rebuilding two schools in Derbyshire under a two-year programme creating a new education campus for more than 800 pupils.
  The contractor has been appointed to demolish and replace Mercia Academy and Newhall Junior School in Swadlincote for operator Lionheart Educational Trust.
  Work is already under way with Mercia Academy demolished and clearance progressing on the adjacent site at Newhall Junior School ahead of demolition.Mercia Academy had to be evacua
  
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• £500m mixed-use London King’s Cross scheme approved

  02-02-2026 01:39 via constructionenquirer.com
  A £500m mixed-use regeneration scheme near London’s King’s Cross knowledge quarter is set to move ahead after securing planning consent.
  Camden Council has driven the development model in partnership with Ballymore and Lateral for a challenging site at Camley Street bounded by railway lines and bisected by a large road.
  The Council is bringing the scheme forward through its Community Investment Programme, which it argues sets up a development model for other councils to use at
  
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• McLaren breaks the £1bn turnover barrier

  02-02-2026 01:01 via constructionenquirer.com
  McLaren Construction has broken the £1bn turnover barrier with further growth on the cards.
  Latest accounts for the year ending 31 July 2025 show turnover reached £1.12bn from  £924 million last time generating pre-tax profit of £21m up from £11.9m.
  McLaren is expecting to hit £1.25bn in revenue this financial year fuelled by increased demand in sectors including data centres, industrial and logistics, commercial, sports-leisure and entertainment, health
  
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• CSCS Smart Check records 60 millionth scan

  02-02-2026 00:47 via constructionenquirer.com
  The verification platform CSCS Smart Check has recorded its 60 millionth scan – reflecting its growing use  by employers and contractors to support workforce verification and Building Safety Act compliance.
  CSCS Smart Check is the only platform to verify all 2.3 million cards displaying the CSCS logo, providing a  quick, easy and secure way of ensuring everyone has the correct card, training and qualifications for the  job they do.
  Developed by the CSCS Alliance, the platfor
  
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• BGS Group acquires Utilities Direct Ltd

  02-02-2026 00:29 via constructionenquirer.com
  Warrington based BGS Group has acquired Utilities Direct Ltd (UDL) to expand its business operations into the Midlands and South.
  Operational teams from BGS will now work hand in hand with Northampton-based self-lay provider UDL supporting existing contracts and developing its multi-utility reach.
  Jonathan Hopkins, BGS Group Managing Director, said: “This is a story about our growth. I’m very clear about where I want to take the business and if we’re to achieve our ambitions of
  
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• Laing O’Rourke to build £250m cancer centre

  31-01-2026 16:15 via constructionenquirer.com
  Laing O’Rourke has been confirmed as main contractor for  new £250m cancer centre at the Royal Sussex County Hospital.
  Funding has now been confirmed by the Government and New Hospitals Programme for the new regional Centre of Excellence for cancer care in Brighton & Hove, Sussex.
  The project follows the successful delivery of The Louisa Martindale Building, located next door to the cancer centre.Laing O’Rourke’s Managing Director, Peter Lyons, said: &l
  
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• City of London office to hotel plan approved

  30-01-2026 17:51 via constructionenquirer.com
  Plans to convert a landmark Art Deco office block in the City of London into a major new hotel have got the planning green light.
  Developer Dominus, in partnership with Cheyne Capital, will transform Ibex House into a 382-key full-service hotel.
  Built between 1935 and 1937, the Grade II-listed building at 42–47 The Minories sits close to Aldgate, Fenchurch Street and Tower Hill and is regarded as one of the City’s standout Art Deco commercial buildings.The approved scheme will see th
  
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• Floor glue vapours kill home repair worker

  30-01-2026 09:16 via constructionenquirer.com
  A housing association maintenance company has been fined £400,000 after an employee died from inhaling toxic vapours from flooring adhesive.
  Darren Nevill, 38, was working for Connect Property Services Limited laying a vinyl bathroom floor at a property in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire on 9 December 2020.
  His employer purchased an adhesive containing the solvent Dichloromethane (DCM). Small volumes will give off large amounts of colourless, low odour vapour, even at room temperature. He us
  
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• New Severfield boss shuts modular arm

  30-01-2026 09:12 via constructionenquirer.com
  Britain’s biggest steelwork contractor Severfield has shut down its modular arm after a strategic review by its new chief executive concluded the business was sub-scale and non-core.
  The steelwork giant said its Modular Solutions division based in Sherburn would be discontinued following a board-level assessment of markets, operations and group structure.
  Chief executive Paul McNerney said the closure was an early step in reshaping the group’s strategy, with a broader update on growt
  
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• National Highways chief to step down

  30-01-2026 09:05 via constructionenquirer.com
  Nick Harris, Chief Executive of National Highways, will step down after five years in the role.
  Harris will remain in post during a short transition period while the Board confirms interim leadership arrangements. Recruitment for a permanent successor will begin in the spring.
  Harris said: “Serving as Chief Executive of National Highways has been one of the greatest privileges of my career. As we approach the start of the next five year Road Investment Strategy, this is the right mome
  
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• Bellway opens timber frame factory

  30-01-2026 08:57 via constructionenquirer.com
  Bellway has opened its newtimber frame factory in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Mansfield.
  Bellway Home Space is a new 135,000 sq ft manufacturing facility developed in partnership with Donaldson’s Timber Systems and fitted with state-of-the-art robotic machinery from Swedish manufacturer Randek.
  The factory has started to supply Bellway with timber frame kits with production set to increase to around 3,000 homes each year by 2030.Jason Honeyman, Chief Executive Officer at Bellway, said: “The
  
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• Cartel watchdog widens school works bid-rigging probe

  30-01-2026 08:56 via constructionenquirer.com
  The Competition and Markets Authority has widened its investigation into suspected bid-rigging linked to school construction and roofing work, expanding the probe to cover additional firms and a broader range of public and private sector contracts.
  The watchdog first launched the investigation on 10 December 2024, focusing on suspected collusion tied to projects funded through the government’s Condition Improvement Fund (CIF).
  At the time, the CMA said it had particular concerns around roo
  
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• Vinci steps in to build Southport event centre

  30-01-2026 08:41 via constructionenquirer.com
  Sefton Council has appointed VINCI Building as preferred contractor for the Marine Lake Events Centre (MLEC) in Southport.
  The job has seen Graham Construction and Kier both walk away from the scheme.
  Under a Pre-Construction Services Agreement (PCSA), VINCI will work with the Council’s project team over the coming months to progress the ambitious waterfront development.Main construction works will begin on site later this year once a main contract is signed with site preparation starting
  
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• Plans in for £750m East London life sciences and housing campus

  30-01-2026 08:41 via constructionenquirer.com
  Plans have been lodged for a vast life sciences, housing and healthcare campus around The Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel could unlock £750m of investment and reshape a key part of east London.
  Landowners BGO, working with Barts Health NHS Trust, have submitted a planning application to London Borough of Tower Hamlets for a near-1m sq ft mixed-use scheme within the Barts Life Sciences Cluster.
  The proposals cover land surrounding The Royal London Hospital and set out plans to co-locat
  
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• B+K inks £274m Newcastle student campus rebuild

  29-01-2026 08:54 via constructionenquirer.com
  Bowmer + Kirkland has landed the £274m main contract to deliver Newcastle’s major Castle Leazes student accommodation redevelopment for Unite Students and Newcastle University.
  Gateway 2 approval has now been secured from the Building Safety Regulator, clearing the way for the replacement of the ageing 1960s complex with 2,009 new student rooms across a series of two to nine-storey blocks.
  It ranks as B+K’s second major student project to achieve Gateway 2 this month following
  
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• Henry Boot profit warning after construction sale

  29-01-2026 08:50 via constructionenquirer.com
  Henry Boot issued a profit warning to the City this morning with 2026 profit before tax set to be “significantly below current market expectations” of £33.6m.
  The firm is now a land, property development and home building businesses after selling its contracting arm in a management buyout last September.
  The trading update said results for the year to December 31 2025 – due out in March – are expected to reach market forecasts of £29.7m of pre-tax profits.But
  
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• Crest Nicholson cuts 50 jobs in pivot to mid-market homes

  29-01-2026 08:49 via constructionenquirer.com
  Crest Nicholson has cut around 50 jobs, shut divisions and overhauled its land strategy in a shift out of volume house building into mid-market homes in response to a stubbornly weak sales environment.
  The house builder said 2025 marked a year of “transition and transformation” as it repositioned the business away from volume-led delivery and towards higher-quality, mid-premium homes under its Project Elevate turnaround plan.
  Chief executive Martyn Clark said Crest was now targeting
  
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• New contractor for delayed £14m Oxford footbridge job

  29-01-2026 08:12 via constructionenquirer.com
  Oxford City Council has moved the long-delayed Oxpens River Bridge scheme forward after selecting Jacksons Civil Engineering Group as preferred contractor on the £14m project.
  Work is now expected to start on site this spring, with the bridge due to be craned into position in September and completion targeted for February 2027.
  The scheme is a key element of the council’s wider West End regeneration plans aimed at boosting sustainable transport and cutting car use.The project secured
  
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• Bristol car park set for 12-storey student scheme

  29-01-2026 08:11 via constructionenquirer.com
  London-based investor Downing has lodged plans to redevelop a Bristol multi-storey car park with a 12 storey purpose-built student accommodation scheme in the Broadmead district.
  The Nelson Street scheme will deliver 331 bedrooms across studios, cluster flats and accessible rooms, alongside active ground-floor uses and new public realm.
  Sitting between Lewins Mead, St James Barton and the Old City, the site is within a five-minute walk of Bristol Bus Station.
  The car-free scheme is pitched as a
  
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• Police recover UK’s largest haul of stolen tools

  28-01-2026 15:32 via constructionenquirer.com
  The Metropolitan Police has recovered what is believed to be the largest stash of stolen tools ever discovered in the UK after officers uncovered a £2m haul in east London.
  A construction firm reported that high‑value equipment had been stolen from a site in Tilbury, Essex.
  Using a tracking device fitted to the equipment, Met officers were able to trace the stolen goods to a property in Ilford last week.Local officers gained entry and discovered the equipment, as well as a vast quant
  
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