Construction news

• Green light for £60m science building revamp

  28-07-2023 08:49 via constructionenquirer.com
  
  The next £60m phase of Manchester Science Park has been given the green light by planners.
  Bruntwood SciTech – a 50/50 joint venture between Bruntwood and Legal & General – will deliver a redevelopment of the Park’s existing Greenheys building to provide 131,000 sq ft of specialist lab space.
  Enabling works are due to commence later this summer.
  The planning approval follows confirmation that UK Biobank – the world’s leading source of data and biological s
  
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• Construction buyers see first signs of a turnaround

  06-08-2026 10:48 via constructionenquirer.com
  
  Construction buyers saw output levels fall at the slowest rate since March last month as first signs of an industry turnaround appeared.
  The bellwether S&P Global UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index was 44.7 in July, up from 38.4 in June but still below the 50 growth threshold.
  Much slower rates of contraction were seen in all three main sub-sectors in July. Commercial work (index at 46.8) showed the greatest resilience, while civil engineering activity again saw the steepest pa
  
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• Mears secures £4.2bn pipeline after contract winning spree

  06-08-2026 10:26 via constructionenquirer.com
  
  Mears has secured more than £1.4bn of housing maintenance work in the first half as its order book climbed to a record £4.2bn despite profits easing during a busy period of contract mobilisations.
  The public sector housing maintenance specialist said it remained on track to meet full-year expectations after winning two major new clients and successfully defending a string of long-term maintenance contracts.
  Adjusted pre-tax profit slipped 10% to £29m on revenue of £560m a
  
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• £90m bid race for iconic Foster museum revamp

  06-08-2026 09:11 via constructionenquirer.com
  
  The University of East Anglia is launching a £90m tender race for the refurbishment of the iconic Sainsbury Centre after securing funding for the biggest overhaul of the landmark Norman Foster-designed museum since it opened nearly 50 years ago.
  A principal contractor will be appointed to deliver the complex scheme, which will replace the building’s external envelope and extensively upgrade its mechanical and electrical systems to improve energy efficiency.
  The project follows a &pou
  
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• Persimmon sharpens axe on costs as inflation threat grows

  06-08-2026 08:41 via constructionenquirer.com
  
  Persimmon is stepping up a procurement and cost-cutting drive after warning inflation could add up to £50m to its build costs over the next 18 months.
  The house builder, which increased first-half completions by 13% to 5,189 homes, said it has already identified enough procurement savings and operational efficiencies to offset at least half of the expected inflation hit, with more savings still being pursued.
  Chief executive Dean Finch said the group has launched a broad review covering pr
  
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• Panattoni submits plans for 1m sq ft Kent scheme

  06-08-2026 08:22 via constructionenquirer.com
  
  Developer Panattoni has submitted a hybrid planning application for a major new 1.04 million sq ft industrial and logistics development in Maidstone, Kent.
  The application includes detailed proposals for the first phase, comprising two units of 100,000 sq ft and 150,000 sq ft.
  Outline permission is also being sought for the second phase, which will provide customers with opportunities to secure flexible built-to-suit facilities tailored to their operational requirements.The 70-acre site at Lenha
  
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• Forshaw Demolition goes into administration

  06-08-2026 08:10 via constructionenquirer.com
  
  Bolton based Forshaw Demolition has gone into administration.
  The family-owned specialist has been in business since 2003 taking on packages worth up to £2m across the UK.
  The company’s website said its was “competent in all aspects of demolition including residential; city centre; high rise; road & rail infrastructure; industrial dismantling, we provide a fully integrated package for demolition solutions throughout the UK.”The company is now in the hands of administr
  
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• Public work bidders face 20% jobs and skills hurdle

  06-08-2026 08:06 via constructionenquirer.com
  
  Contractors bidding for major government work will have to place far greater emphasis on creating jobs, raising skills and improving pay under a shake-up of Whitehall procurement rules.
  From 1 January 2027, firms competing for central government contracts worth more than £5m will see social value account for 20% of bid scoring – double the current weighting.
  The new Cabinet Office Social Value Model shifts the focus away from a broad range of social measures and instead rewards contr
  
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• Multiplex tops contracts league with £400m office job

  06-08-2026 08:01 via constructionenquirer.com
  
  Multiplex came top of last month’s contracts rankings after securing a £400m deal to build a new office tower in the City of London.
  The 24-storey tower, known as the Dovetail building, will provide 450,000 sq ft of office space.
  Murphy ranked second also with a single contract for a major infrastructure project. Its £340m upgrade of Oxford Sewage Treatment Works will improve capacity by 40% and improve effluent quality that goes into the River Thames at the end of the sewage t
  
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• Construction arm lifts Muir Group back to profit growth

  05-08-2026 09:18 via constructionenquirer.com
  
  Muir Group returned to stronger growth last year after its construction business more than doubled profits, helping lift group turnover nearly a third to £114m.
  The Scottish contractor posted pre-tax profit of just over £3m for the year to January 2026, up from £320,000 a year earlier, while cash balances climbed from £12m to £21m.
  The turnaround was driven by Muir Construction, where turnover increased to £86m and pre-tax profit jumped from £2.2m to &po
  
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• Orbit unveils £1.4bn long-term housing works pipeline

  05-08-2026 09:05 via constructionenquirer.com
  
  Social landlord Orbit has launched one of the biggest long-term housing maintenance and new build procurements to hit the market this year.
  The housing association is seeking contractors for a £1.4bn programme covering planned investment, remediation and major projects across its housing stock.
  Its programme will be divided into five regional lots covering the Midlands, East of England and South East under contracts due to start in April 2028.Orbit plans to spend £1.4bn over the 15-y
  
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• Magrock lands £16m David Lloyd deal

  05-08-2026 08:42 via constructionenquirer.com
  
  Magrock haa been appointed main contractor to deliver a new £16m David Lloyd Leisure health club at Bunford Park, Yeovil.
  Construction work will start this month with completion expected next summer.
  The club will feature a premium gym equipped with the latest fitness technology, multiple exercise studios, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and a comprehensive wellness and spa offering. The dedicated spa retreat will include a Himalayan Salt Sauna, steam room, ice cave, plunge pool, hydrot
  
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• Ibstock makes £27m loss as brick demand dives

  05-08-2026 08:38 via constructionenquirer.com
  
  Brick giant Ibstock made a pre-tax loss of £27m during the six months to June 30 as demand for its products slumped.
  The loss compared to an £8m profit last time as turnover fell to £164m from £193m.
  The losses came despite two price hikes during the period as production levels were reduced by 20 million units and mothballed facilities led to impairment charges of £24.7m.Joe Hudson, Chief Executive Officer said: “Ibstock delivered a solid first-half performanc
  
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• Yorkshire Water sounds out market for £3bn AMP9/10 plan

  05-08-2026 08:32 via constructionenquirer.com
  
  Yorkshire Water has launched early market engagement for a £3bn infrastructure works programme spanning AMP9 and AMP10 as it prepares to reshape its long-term delivery strategy.
  The water company is inviting contractors and suppliers to help design the procurement model for the 10-year framework, which is expected to run from April 2028 to March 2038 with annual spending of around £330m.
  The programme will cover a broad range of water and wastewater infrastructure work across Yorkshi
  
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• Tribe lodges twin Greenwich student tower scheme

  05-08-2026 08:19 via constructionenquirer.com
  
  Developer Tribe has lodged plans for a pair of high-rise towers on the Greenwich Peninsula delivering student accommodation, co-living homes and affordable housing beside the Silvertown Tunnel.
  The application proposes a 27-storey block with 673 purpose-built student bedrooms alongside a 23-storey tower providing 380 co-living homes. A further 80 affordable homes are also included within the wider development.
  Designed by architect CJCT, the scheme occupies a vacant site on Millennium Way, immed
  
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• Gatwick second runway cleared after court challenge fails

  04-08-2026 20:17 via constructionenquirer.com
  Gatwick Airport’s £2.2bn second runway expansion has cleared its final legal hurdle after the Court of Appeal dismissed a challenge against the project, paving the way for construction to begin.
  The government said the privately financed scheme is now on course to bring the airport’s standby northern runway into full use from 2030, allowing up to 100,000 additional flights a year and supporting 14,000 jobs across the region.
  Transport secretary Heidi Alexander said the ruling e
  
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• More subcontractors wanted across London

  04-08-2026 09:14 via constructionenquirer.com
  
  Constructionline is planning a second networking event for subcontractors across London.
  A host of work opportunities will be up for grabs at the latest Marketplace Live event for the North London region on Wednesday 9th September 2026.
  It will bring businesses together from across London, the South East, and Anglia regions at StoneX Stadium, Saracens, where Tier 1 and Tier 2 contractors will be looking to connect with pre-qualified subcontractors and suppliers to discuss upcoming work opportuni
  
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• GMI lands £21m Nuneaton library and business hub job

  04-08-2026 08:41 via constructionenquirer.com
  
  GMI Construction is set to secure a £21m contract to build a new library and business centre in Nuneaton after seeing off competition from Clegg Construction, McLaren Construction and McPhillips (Wellington).
  Warwickshire County Council selected the Leeds-based contractor for the design and build scheme, which forms a key part of the wider Transforming Nuneaton regeneration programme.
  Work is expected to start later this month after the standstill period ends.The project will transform the
  
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• SIG racks-up another £21m loss

  04-08-2026 08:36 via constructionenquirer.com
  
  Building materials distribution giant SIG made a pre-tax loss of £21.6m in the six months to June 30 2026.
  It was an improvement on last time when losses were £33.1m as turnover dipped to £1.29bn from £1.3bn.
  SIG bosses are braced for tough market conditions to continue this year “and possibly throughout 2027.”The company is accelerating is efficiency drive which is expected to save £100m by the end of next year as underperforming businesses will be clos
  
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• Swindon groundworks firm files administration notice

  04-08-2026 08:31 via constructionenquirer.com
  
  House building groundworks specialist Avtar Construction has filed a notice of intention to appoint an administrator.
  The Swindon-based civils and groundworks specialist has worked for regional offices of major house builders like Vistry, Persimmon and BarrattRedrow turning over around £20m last year.
  The firm, which was set up 16 years ago, works across the south west and employed around 60 staff last year.
  Avtar is one of only a few civil engineering contractors in the South West with th
  
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• Formation wins Gateway 2 for Hyde Greenwich homes

  04-08-2026 08:13 via constructionenquirer.com
  
  Wembley contractor Formation Design and Build has secured Gateway 2 approval with housing association Hyde for a 182-home affordable housing scheme at Charlton Riverside in Greenwich.
  The Eastmoor Street project is the first Hyde-led development within the wider Charlton Riverside Opportunity Area, where the housing association has consent to build around 1,200 homes alongside new public spaces, commercial uses and improved access to the Thames Path.
  Approval of the housing scheme near the Thame
  
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• GRAHAM wins final contract on £323m Didcot roads upgrade

  03-08-2026 15:01 via constructionenquirer.com
  
  Oxfordshire County Council has appointed GRAHAM to deliver the Didcot to Culham River crossing section of the £323m Didcot and surrounding areas major infrastructure (HIF1) scheme.
  It is the third and final construction contract to be awarded for this scheme where VolerFitzpatrick and AECOM have also landed deasl
  The Didcot to Culham River Crossing includes a new 3.6km single carriageway road between the A4130 at the existing Collett roundabout junction in Didcot and the A415 at Culham.It
  
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• Vistry go-ahead for 300 affordable homes by North Mid hospital

  03-08-2026 09:04 via constructionenquirer.com
  Vistry has secured planning backing for a scheme of over 300 affordable homes on land next to North Middlesex University Hospital in Edmonton.
  Enfield Council unanimously resolved to grant planning permission for the partnership-led development, which will now progress to completion of a Section 106 agreement before work is expected to start later this year.
  The scheme will deliver 152 social rent homes and 154 intermediate affordable homes, including key worker housing for eligible hospital sta
  
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• BW reshapes leadership team after CEO handover

  03-08-2026 08:40 via constructionenquirer.com
  
  Employee-owned fit out specialist BW has reshuffled its senior leadership team following Anthony Brown’s promotion to chief executive as it prepares for its next phase of growth.
  The move comes weeks after long-serving chief executive Steve Elliott stepped down following 12 years at the helm, handing over to former chief marketing officer Brown at the end of July.
  As part of the new structure, Peter Nagle has been promoted to chief operating officer, taking responsibility for project deliv
  
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• Kori to convert Chiswick police station into care home

  03-08-2026 08:39 via constructionenquirer.com
  
  Kori Construction is set to start work next month on its latest contract to convert the site of a former police station on Chiswick High Road into a new fifty-unit extra care retirement living community.
  The latest job for client Birchgrove is due for completion by the end of 2028.
  The scheme has been designed to serve the wider community as well as its residents. A ground floor space will be available for local groups, charities and individuals to hire, doubling as a venue for police resident m
  
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• London office scheme switched to 530 co-living homes

  03-08-2026 08:19 via constructionenquirer.com
  
  A vacant Wimbledon office block is set to make way for a landmark mixed-use tower after fresh plans were submitted to replace a consented unbuilt office scheme with more than 530 co-living homes.
  Developer Re:shape wants to demolish the seven-storey St George’s House East opposite Wimbledon station and build a 13-storey scheme designed by PLP Architecture.
  The project would deliver 532 shared living studios alongside 36 social rented family homes, plus 2,271 sq m of Grade A workspace and a
  
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• Taziker turnaround gathers pace on CP7 rail boost

  03-08-2026 08:18 via constructionenquirer.com
  
  Specialist engineering contractor Taziker Industrial has returned to full profitability two year after original founders secured a buyback from private equity investors.
  The Chorley-based specialist contractor increased pre-tax profit from continuing operations by almost a quarter to £4.8m in the year to 31 March 2026 as revenue rose 7% to a record £88m.The latest results continue the recovery that began after founders Thomas Taziker, Nigel Taziker and Graham Moor bought back control
  
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• HS2 renegotiates contracts with construction giants

  31-07-2026 12:41 via constructionenquirer.com
  
  HS2 Ltd has successfully renegotiated contracts with two of the civil engineering joint-ventures building the route.
  New commercial contracts have been signed with EKFB and Align which collectively account for more than 100km of HS2 between London and the West Midlands.
  The new deals “reset incentives by rewarding efficient delivery and cost control through a revised payment structure with contractors, ensuring they are incentivised to deliver on budget and on time.”Previ
  
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• Rayner waves through £500m London Truman Brewery plan

  31-07-2026 09:13 via constructionenquirer.com
  
  Housing secretary Angela Rayner has approved the controversial £500m redevelopment of the Truman Brewery estate in east London.
  The decision clears the way for a major mixed -use scheme including offices, a data centre, cinema and new public spaces despite fierce opposition from Tower Hamlets Council and local campaigners.
  The project, promoted by Truman Estates and Zeloof LLP, will transform three sites around Brick Lane through separate planning applications.Plans include five new buildi
  
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• Taylor Wimpey slashes dividend policy as cash pile halves

  31-07-2026 08:45 via constructionenquirer.com
  
  Taylor Wimpey has slashed its shareholder payouts policy after a prolonged housing market downturn eroded profits and almost halved its cash pile.
  The house builder has cut its annual distribution policy from its previous level of 7.5% to 4% of net assets, saying the move is needed to preserve balance sheet strength and financial flexibility as weaker market conditions continue.
  Half-year results showed net cash fell 48% to £169m from £327m a year earlier, while adjusted operating pr
  
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