Construction news

• Contractors raise pay offer to avert engineering construction strike

  20-09-2023 07:56 via constructionenquirer.com
  
  Engineering construction contractors have upped their final pay offer to head off a threatened national strike.
  Employers signed up to the National Agreement for the Engineering Construction Industry have come up with better offer of a 10% rate rise in January, followed by a 5% rise in 2025.
  It improves on the 8.5% and 3.5% final offer rejected by 92% of workers triggering plans for strike ballots among Unite and GMB union members.The agreement covers nearly 8,000 workers in the sector, with aro
  
  Read more

• Government puts firms on alert for mega framework renewal

  04-02-2026 09:05 via constructionenquirer.com
  Tenders are set to be invited next month for the Government’s biggest construction framework renewal, combining ProCure24 and the major project framework for public spending departments.
  Crown Commercial Service has confirmed that the new Construction Works and Associated Services 3 framework – incorporating ProCure 24 – will go out to market in early March.
  The mega framework, reference RM6320, is designed to replace and consolidate several major national routes to market, rol
  
  Read more

• Former Lonsdale director joins SES in growth drive

  04-02-2026 08:40 via constructionenquirer.com
  Wates-owned SES Engineering Services has landed a heavyweight pre-construction hire as it sharpens its growth drive across London and the South.
  The specialist has appointed former Michael J Lonsdale board director Mark Heath as pre-construction director, bringing more than 30 years of top-tier MEP estimating and bid leadership into its southern business.
  Heath, who held senior roles at Lonsdale including estimating director and board director, has also worked at Phoenix ME and is widely regarde
  
  Read more

• Green light for huge industrial scheme on old colliery site

  04-02-2026 08:26 via constructionenquirer.com
  Planning has been granted for the second and largest phase of the redevelopment of Parkside Colliery in Newton-le-Willow.
  The St Helens Borough Council planning committee resolved to grant detailed consent for enabling and infrastructure works, with building designs to be dealt with under a future reserved matters application.
  A further 1.6m sq ft of logistics and manufacturing space can now be developed alongside more than 800,000 sq ft already consented for the scheme’s first phase.
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Developers rally behind Milton Keynes new town ambition

  04-02-2026 08:19 via constructionenquirer.com
  Leading developers and landowners have lined up behind Milton Keynes’ ambitions to become part of the UK’s next generation of new towns.
  Major developers involved in the development pact include Berkeley, Taylor Wimpey, Urban&Civic, Hallam Land and Gallagher Developments, alongside the Bristol Society of Merchant Venturers and the Milton Keynes Development Partnership.
  Together, the group controls land capable of delivering around 40,000 new homes, alongside the transport, utilit
  
  Read more

• HG Construction starts £73m Wembley student rooms job

  04-02-2026 08:17 via constructionenquirer.com
  HG Construction has confirmed sealing a £73m contract to deliver a 609-bed student accommodation scheme in Wembley for client.
  The job marks the third student project collaboration between HG Construction and YourTRIBE following the delivery of schemes at Ilderton Road and Avonmouth Street in London.
  The Wembley scheme is YourTRIBE’s largest development to date and sits close to the national stadium.
  It will comprise two towers of 19 and 27 storeys, with extensive amenity provision a
  
  Read more

• Taylor Wimpey managing director jumps ship to Vistry

  04-02-2026 08:16 via constructionenquirer.com
  Vistry has snapped up a senior Taylor Wimpey director, appointing James Lidgate as group development director and handing him a seat on the executive leadership team.
  Lidgate joins from Taylor Wimpey, where he most recently served as managing director, and will take charge of Vistry’s strategy across land, planning, sustainability and business improvement. He will also co-chair the group’s investment committee.
  The hire marks another senior move as Vistry continues to push its partne
  
  Read more

• 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
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• 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
  
  Read more

• 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
  
  Read more

• 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
  
  Read more

• 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
  
  Read more

• 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
  
  Read more

• 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
  
  Read more

• 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
  
  Read more

• 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
  
  Read more

• 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
  
  Read more

• £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
  
  Read more

• 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
  
  Read more

• 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
  
  Read more

• 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
  
  Read more

• 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
  
  Read more

• 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
  
  Read more

• 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
  
  Read more

• 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
  
  Read more

• 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
  
  Read more

• 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
  
  Read more

• 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
  
  Read more

• 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
  
  Read more

• 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
  
  Read more

Follow @new_constructio on Twitter!