Trade bodies launch new alliance

Trade bodies launch new alliance

Actuate UK is a collective of eight trade, technology, research and professional bodies that plan to deliver a single, consolidated voice for the sector. Joining its ranks are the campaigning trade association Select, representing Scotland’s electrotechnical industry, and SNIPEF, the Scottish & Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation, which represents more than 750 businesses and 5,000…

Persimmon to spend £75m on cladding replacement

Persimmon to spend £75m on cladding replacement

While Persimmon mainly builds traditional family homes rather than high-rise blocks, it has identified 26 tall buildings that may need to be reclad. Chairman Roger Devlin said: “The concern around now banned cladding is affecting many thousands of homeowners who live in high-rise buildings right across the country. “At Persimmon we believe we have a…

Cruden Building announces new appointments

Cruden Building announces new appointments

Terri Chisholm joins Cruden Building as chief buyer Terri Chisholm joins as chief buyer and Colin Bain takes up the role of maintenance contracts manager. Chisholm brings over 20 years of experience buying for construction companies, including Merchant Homes, Morris & Spottiswood and Keyline Builders Merchants. She will shadow the current chief buyer, Terrie Harvey,…

Franco-Scottish team to explore floating wind opportunities

Franco-Scottish team to explore floating wind opportunities

EMEC’s hydrogen storage cylinders (photo by Colin Keldie) The award of the contract to the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) follows a competitive tender. EMEC will partner with French engineering firm Innosea and London-based Renewables Consulting Group (RCG) to carry out research. The aim is to understand the technical status of floating wind and hydrogen…

Garage conversion system patented

Garage conversion system patented

Garages converted into bungalows The Husk concept has been developed by Russell Edwards, who also runs Newcastle architectural practice Edwards Architecture. Husk’s patented system of inserts a living space inside an old parking garage. It retains the single skin brickwork and concrete floor of the original garage. The roof is lifted off and the modular…

Kier wins Nottinghamshire leisure centre

Kier wins Nottinghamshire leisure centre

Renderings of the new leisure centre The new leisure centre in Kirkby-In-Ashfield is being built next to the existing Festival Hall leisure centre, which it will replace. Facilities in the new centre include a 25-metre swimming pool with moveable floor, sauna and steam rooms, a fitness suite and adventure play. The new centre is scheduled…

Keepmoat in for Yorkshire colliery regeneration

Keepmoat in for Yorkshire colliery regeneration

Osprey view is being built on the former Firbeck Colliery site House-builder Keepmoat Homes has completed the purchase of the former Firbeck Colliery site from developer and regeneration specialist Network Space.  Following planning permission being granted by Bassetlaw District Council at the end of last year, the sale of the 32-acre land on Doncaster Road…

Small builders getting squeezed out by pandemic shortages

Small builders getting squeezed out by pandemic shortages

Dan Grimshaw Just because the industry has kept working through the various lockdowns does not mean that everyone has been unaffected by the pandemic. The smaller businesses, it seems, are bearing the brunt of it as they are last in line for any scarce materials. “You hear a lot of ‘you must be alright because…

Hotel at Edinburgh Airport secures consent

Hotel at Edinburgh Airport secures consent

Sister company Create Developments has secured planning consent for the scheme and has signed a franchise agreement with hospitality group Accor for the hotel to be opened under the Ibis brand. The hotel complex, which is adjacent to the airport and a business park, will also feature a stand-alone restaurant/bar building and provide parking for…