Category: News
-
Boost for straw bale construction as startup enters UK market
Adrian Crosson, Irish director and general manager at Ecological Building Systems, said: “From the beginning, Ecological has focused on low embodied carbon solutions that are durable, purpose-fit for the UK and Ireland, and supported by expert technical guidance, from design through to construction. View the original article and our Inspiration here
-
Aster appoints Wates for £20m social housing retrofitting scheme
Housing association Aster has appointed WPS, the property services arm of Wates, to deliver a £20m scheme to decarbonise around 750 of its homes in the south of England and London. The three-year programme of works is a step towards making all of Aster’s residential properties EPC C or above by 2030. Just 15% of…
-
Ex-Mace director appointed chair of construction parliamentary group
Former Mace director turned Labour MP, Mike Reader, has been appointed chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Excellence in the Built Environment (APPGEBE). Reader was elected MP for Northampton South in the July 2024 general election, winning the seat from Conservative MP Andrew Lewer, former chair of the APPG for SME housebuilders. Reader has…
-
In pictures | Roman road discovered in Manchester city centre site
Archaeologists have uncovered “remarkably well-preserved” Roman remains at a site in Manchester city centre where contractors TJM and Lee Contracting are building a 2,000 sq m commercial mixed-use development. The excavations by Civic’s archaeology and built heritage team revealed a Roman road and settlement remains, including industrial hearths, which together span the late 1st to…
-
Graham to turn former Boddingtons site into homes
Richard Cook, chief development officer at Clarion Housing Group, said: “Boddingtons is a cornerstone of our ambitions for central Manchester to deliver high-quality, affordable new homes and a striking new presence on the city’s skyline. This project will transform a long-derelict site and help address the city’s growing housing need with a focus on design,…
-
Caterpillar and Chinese manufacturer challenge ‘anti-dumping’ duties
The Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) is to reconsider its recommendation to impose a new ‘anti-dumping’ measure on imports of certain excavators from China following requests from LiuGong Group and Caterpillar. Last year, the secretary of state for business and trade imposed tariffs on excavators imported from China to the UK of up to 40% following…
-
Trio appointed to decarbonise UK schools
The Department for Education (DfE) has appointed Mace, Aecom and construction project management firm Barker as the delivery partners for a major project to decarbonise educational settings. The project will involve the installation of solar panels, plus other measures, including a “behaviour change” programme, to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions in 141 schools and…
-
Building Safety Levy: draft regulations and guidance published
The draft regulations outlining how the Building Safety Levy will operate have been laid in Parliament before final approval. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has also published guidance explaining how the levy will work and its exceptions. The Building Safety Levy will come into effect in autumn 2026, when developers of residential…
-
McLaren signs £90m revamp of art deco London offices
McLaren Construction has been formally appointed as the main contractor for the £90m refurbishment of London art deco landmark offices Brettenham House. Works began in September 2024 under a pre-construction services agreement. McLaren has now signed the main contract with real estate developer client Helical. The project will involve modernising the interior and creating 613…
-
Tilbury Douglas and Wates show how construction can align with UN SDGs
In the case of Tilbury Douglas, the contractor contributed to four SDGs – sustainable cities and communities, climate action, life on land, and quality education – during the delivery of the St Mary’s Catholic Voluntary Academy project, part of the St Ralph Sherwin Multi Academies Trust awarded through the Department for Education framework. View the…