Construction work on more than 150,000 homes could be delayed unless the government wakes-up to a looming crisis in construction product testing.

The industry is due to switch to the UK Conformity Assessed (CA Mark) on January 1 2023 when the old European CE Mark for product compliance is phased out.

Construction products will have to be tested in UK centres – but a lack of facilities is sparking a capacity crisis.

The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) said the lack of testing capability is a particular problem in some specialist areas including radiators, glass, passive fire protection, glues and sealants.

In a letter to ministers it warned: “If the current situation prevails, these products will not be available on the UK market after  the January 2023 deadline.

“The inability to certify radiators in the UK, for instance, could delay the construction of over 150,000 homes in a single year and will also delay the switch to low carbon heating.

“The consequences are clearly damaging not only tothe UK construction sector but also to  the Government’s ambitions around housebuilding, infrastructure, building safety and net zero in the built environment.”

The government has already pushed the testing transition back to 2023 but construction leaders want to see more help for the industry.

The CLC is calling for urgent investment in UK testing capability, some test to be allowed abroad and flexibility around the planned regulations.

It said: “Continuing risks associated with the implementation of the UKCA Mark on the UK supply chain already disrupted by the pandemic, product and raw material shortages, increased energy costs and skills shortages are of great concern to the Construction Leadership Council and our numerous industry partners. “There are steps that can be taken to mitigate these risks, but action is needed now. The extension of the deadline to January 2023 is not sufficient to prevent significant disruption.”

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Derby steelwork contractor Robinson Structures collapsed with total debts of £8.6m.

According to the directors’ statement of affairs, trade creditors have been left around £2.5m out of pocket.

Among the preferred creditors Barclays Bank was owed around £1.2m and HM  Revenue and Customs around £1.8m, in unpaid VAT and PAYE.

The family-owned firm fell into administration last week following the removal of its insured credit limits with its key suppliers.

But creditors are hoping that a pre-pack deal that saw fellow Derby steelwork contractor B&K Structures swoop to buy up assets in a pre-pack deal could help to raise the final distribution to creditors.

Assets of the third-generation steelwork contractor, which was set up in the 1950s, included its new HQ and workshop.

Following the pre-pack deal, which saved around 68 jobs, a new business B&K Hybrid Solutions will operate from the former Robinson HQ and production plant, giving the new business capacity to manufacture 10,000t of structural steelwork per annum.

The new well-equipped facilities form part of a larger, long-term plan to deliver on the increased demand for steel and timber-steel hybrid schemes within the UK.

 

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Mace has made two key senior appointments to lead business growth in nuclear and industrial markets.

Bryony Martin, previously with Aecom, joins Mace as the director for the UK’s central region and sector lead for industrial and manufacturing while Dave Weatherburn joins from the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority as business director for nuclear.

Martin has a strong track record in both the property and infrastructure sectors which will support Mace’s 2026 business strategy, growing the regional business across Consult sectors.

She will be responsible for leading Mace’s regional growth agenda, working alongside the businesses’ sectors and practice groups, along with being the sector lead for industrial and manufacturing.

Industrial and manufacturing has been identified as a growth sector for the business in the UK and Europe. Martin will build upon Mace’s manufacturing track record, with clients including Siemens, JLR and BMW, with a focus on electrification and the facilities needed to support growth.

With over 30 years of defence and nuclear experience and a background in mechanical engineering, Dave has delivered a number of major projects and programmes across the private and public sector, including within senior roles with the UK government and the International Atomic Energy Agency.

In his role, Weatherburn will work closely with existing Mace clients to build on the businesses’ current nuclear service offering.

With the nuclear team already successfully embedded within Sizewell C, Hinkley Point C, small modular reactor and wider decommissioning programmes, he will play an integral role in driving forward a more sustainable, resilient and connected world, helping further develop the businesses’ position within this important energy arena.

Jason Millett, CEO for Consultancy at Mace, said:“Together, both Bryony and Dave bring a wealth of experience to two fast-growing sectors within the business: industrial and manufacturing and nuclear.

“Their hires represent an exciting time for Mace’s Consult business as we work towards meeting the ambitious targets set out in the 2026 business strategy.”

 

 

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The latest Building Cost Information Service Materials Cost Index shows price rises hitting a 40-year high.

Industry analysts at the RICS owned organisation said that between January and September 2021 the greatest increases were seen for steel and timber with increases set to continue well into next year.

James Fiske, Director of BCIS, said: “The cost of materials in constructing a 3-bedroom semi-detached hous has increased by 14% or approximately £7,300 between January and September 2021. It is expected to grow by further 1% or £600 by the end of this year.”

Joe Martin, BCIS Lead Consultant added: “The pressure on materials prices and availability is expected to continue at least until the end of 2022. Labour shortages are expected to evolve as the significant driver for overall construction cost increases next year and the construction sector would need to compete for it with other sectors”.

For full details of the BCIS analysis click here.

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Developer Torus has won planning permission to build 185 apartments and 10 townhouses adjacent to Liverpool’s historic Stanley Dock complex.

Torus will now choose a builder from its contractor framework for the £30m Lightbody Street redevelopment where construction is due to start next Spring.

The contractors in the running for the scheme are Seddon, Anwyl Construction, Lovell Partnerships, Caddick Construction, Eric Wright and Vistry Partnerships North West.

Work will completely transform the vacant former industrial site on Lightbody Street and bring a mix of 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments, townhouses and commercial space to the iconic location, at the start of the Leeds to Liverpool canal.

Managing Director of Torus Developments, Chris Bowen said: “We’re incredibly excited to receive planning for the Lightbody Street scheme and create homes that will further add to the unique history and landscape of the city.

“This development will completely transform the area and help create a thriving community everyone can enjoy – from residents to local businesses and even tourists – Lightbody will have an incredibly positive impact on the city at large.”

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Late last week, OSHA issued an emergency temporary standard requiring companies with 100 or more employees to create, deploy, and enforce a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy for their workers. The ETS does allow an exception for employers to adopt a policy that requires employees to get vaccinated or, instead of being vaccinated, be tested regularly for COVID-19, and be required to wear a face covering while at work.

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Graham has signed a £38m deal with Manchester developer Panacea Property Development for a built to rent tower block that will form the final phase of the Well Meadow regeneration project in Sheffield.

Funded by rental homes specialist Grainger, the scheme will provide 284 studio, one, and two-bedroom apartments across two residential buildings designed for the build to rent market in the Well Meadow Conservation Area in Sheffield City Centre.

Peter Reavey, Regional Director at Graham said: “We’re proud to be working again with Panacea Property Development following our successful development of the Copper House – Liverpool in February 2021.

“We are also excited to be working with Grainger, which is delivering hundreds of homes for rent in one of the UK’s most thriving cities.

“Sheffield is undergoing a period of regeneration and the provision of high quality housing remains a priority.”

The project is expected to complete by summer 2023.

 

 

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Regional contractor Speller Metcalfe has confirmed the appointment of Judith Lewis as its new Finance Director.

Lewis held a similar role at Carillion’s property development business where she worked for more than 20 years before the group collapsed in January 2018.

Former Speller Metcalfe Finance Director Mike Clarke will move into a part-time role as Group Financial Controller.

Speller Metcalfe joint managing director Andy Metcalfe said: “Her wealth of experience and strong track record within the construction industry will be instrumental to strengthening our financial resilience and strategic plans to consolidate our strong trading position.”

Latest results for the firm for the year to March 31 2021 show pre-tax profits dropped of £536,000 from from a turnover of £104.7m.

Metcalfe is expecting turnover to return to pre-pandemic levels of £120m this financial year.

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The accompanying tables show the top 10 major upcoming medical and educational construction projects in the U.S. They are all in the planning stage and are mainly new projects, but may also involve additions and/or alterations.

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A £1.7bn project placing Wales at the forefront of renewable energy innovation has been revealed by an international consortium.

The ambitious project proposed for Swansea’s waterfront refloats stalled tidal lagoon renewable energy plans, featuring underwater turbines generating 320 megawatts from a 9.5km structure.

Blue Eden will be sited along an extensive area of land and water, south of the Prince of Wales Dock

It will also feature 1,500 waterfront homes as well as 150 floating homes in the bay, a major floating solar array and major battery storage facility.

The revived lagoon plan is part of the larger proposed Blue Eden project that’s being led by Bridgend-based DST Innovations and a number of business partners, with support from Swansea Council and Associated British Ports.

Made possible by funding from the private sector, the innovative and economy-boosting Blue Eden will be delivered in three phases over 12 years.

Blue Eden project

A 60,000 sq m manufacturing plant to make high-tech batteries for renewable energy storageA battery facility to store the renewable energy produced at Blue Eden and power the site. If constructed now, it would be the world’s largest facility of its kindA 72,000 sq  m floating solar array anchored in the Queen’s dock areaA 94,000 sq m data centre storing, processing and providing network capabilities for the critical servicesAn oceanic and climate change research centreFloating dome structures that will become cultural and scientific centres to be enjoyed by allResidential waterfront homes for 5,000 peopleAround 150 floating, highly energy-efficient eco-homes anchored in the water

All the project’s buildings and facilities, including the eco-homes, will be situated alongside the lagoon.

Renewable energy produced on site will power the entire Blue Eden development, including businesses and homes.

Due to the innovation on-site, each home will have up to 20 years’ renewable energy and heat provision included with the sale of the properties.

Tony Miles, Co-founder and Chief Executive of DST Innovations, said: “Blue Eden is an opportunity to create a template for the world to follow – utilising renewable energy and maximising new technologies and thinking to develop not only a place to live and work, but also to thrive.”

The project has been developed following discussions based on a vision put forward by a regional task force led by Swansea Council.

Cllr Rob Stewart, Swansea Council Leader, said: “Blue Eden will put Swansea and Wales at the cutting-edge of global renewable energy innovation, helping create thousands of well-paid jobs, significantly cut our carbon footprint and further raise Swansea’s profile across the world as a place to invest.

“I’m delighted that an international consortium led by a Welsh company has developed our Dragon Energy Island vision into a ground-breaking project that delivers so many benefits and builds on the council’s ambition to become a net zero city by 2050.

“This project truly is a game-changer for Swansea, its economy and renewable energy in the UK, and crucially it can be delivered without the need for government subsidies.”

Andrew Harston, Director of Wales and Short Sea Ports for ABP, said: “We are engaged in discussions around the Blue Eden project which could deliver renewable energy, new homes and skilled jobs. This innovative prototype has the potential to be a first for the UK and bring Britain closer to our net zero target.”

Subject to planning consent, Blue Eden work on site could start by early 2023.

 

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