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The move is the latest bid to speed-up the process after the government stepped in to take direct control of the Building Safety Regulator last month. The latest CLC guidance has been produced in collaboration with industry stakeholders and the Building Safety Regulator and includes practical recommendations to improve submissions. Karl Whiteman, Berkeley Group Divisional Chairman and Industry Sponsor for the CLC’s Building Safety Workstream, said: “The CLC has worked closely with the BSR and a broad range of leading technical experts from across the sector to develop robust and practical guidance for Gateway 2 applications. “This will help to improve the quality of submissions, ensure the regulator can approve them swiftly and consistently, and enable the sector to increase the delivery of safe and high-quality homes.” Tim Galloway, Deputy Director, Health and Safety Executive, said: “We’ve supported construction industry leaders to write guidance, that speaks industry’s language, to help improve the quality of the applications that are being submitted. “The guidance will help applicants demonstrate to themselves and BSR that their designs and plans will result in the safe, quality homes we all want. “Applications that clearly demonstrate compliance are approved faster, and everyone in BSR wants those designs and plans off the page and onto site as quickly as possible.” The guidance is available to download here. Read More

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has formed a Retrofit System Reform Advisory Panel after routine checks exposed a pattern of poor-quality installations delivered through the Energy Company Obligation 4 (ECO4) and Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS). This prompted the Government to 39 solid wall insulation specialists from installing new insulation in people’s homes. The botched work has highlighted deep flaws in the current regulatory system, with ministers now pledging a full overhaul to protect homeowners and raise standards. The panel – made up of experts from the retrofit supply chain, consumer groups and enforcement bodies – will meet for the first time this summer. Its job is to advise ministers on cleaning up the fragmented retrofit landscape by tightening rules, simplifying redress and improving oversight. Retrofit System Reform Advisory Panel Name Role Adam Scorer Chief executive, National Energy Action Gillian Cooper Director of energy, Citizens Advice Anthony Pygram Member, Committee on Fuel Poverty Marion Baeli Principal, sustainability transformation, Egis Dr Hywel Davies Head of insight, Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE) Lynne Sullivan OBE Board chair, National Retrofit Hub Charlotte Lee Chief executive, Heat Pump Association Brian Berry Chief executive, Federation of Master Builders Ministers want to restore confidence in home energy upgrades by introducing a stronger, more joined-up system for installer accreditation, compliance, quality checks and consumer protections. The review will not deal with specific cases of remediation but will focus on long-term reforms, aiming to prevent future failures and strengthen enforcement across the board. The 12-month panel will be chaired by minister Fahnbulleh and work confidentially, with all participants required to sign NDAs due to the sensitive nature of the policy proposals being tested. Read More

The contract award marks a key milestone for National Grid and SP Energy Networks, who have signed a joint venture to deliver the 2GW link, which will run 530km from Fife to West Norfolk. EGL4 is the third in a series of planned subsea “electricity superhighways” designed to boost energy security by transporting clean wind power from Scotland to demand centres in England. Project brief A 530km subsea High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) cable between Kinghorn, Fife, and Anderby Creek, Lincolnshire A 16.4km underground cable from Kinghorn to a new converter station at Westfield, near Ballingry, Fife A 100km underground cable from Anderby Creek to a new converter station near Walpole, Norfolk The Siemens converter station package follows a competitive tendering process and comes ahead of full contract award later this year. Planning applications for the Scottish and English sections of the scheme are due in late 2025 and 2026 respectively, with construction expected to start in 2029 and the link operational by 2033. James Goode, project director at National Grid, said: “Reaching preferred bidder stage is a key milestone for EGL4 and a sign of the progress being made on this vital infrastructure project.” The converter contract follows Siemens Energy’s appointment to National Grid’s £59bn HVDC supply chain framework and SPEN’s £5.4bn strategic supplier panel. Read More

Clowes Developments has appointed the contractor to build five new trade counter, warehouse, and industrial units ranging in size from 3,229 sq ft to 4,606 sq ft, following planning approval from North West Leicestershire District Council. Enabling works have started on the site under a 30-week build programme. Units are scheduled for handover around Christmas 2025, with occupiers anticipated to begin trading in the New Year. James Richards, Development Director at Clowes Developments, said: “We’re excited to move forward with the next phase at Stud Brook Business Park. The development has seen strong demand from trade operators since its launch, and Plot 1 represents a key opportunity to build on that momentum. “With its prime location and excellent amenities, this phase is set to attract high-quality occupiers. Our ongoing collaboration with IMA Architects and local stakeholders ensures the scheme supports both commercial needs and the broader Castle Donington community.” Read More

The four-year deal will replace a patchwork of one-off tenders with a new multi-supplier arrangement split between general highways schemes and structures/geotechnical works. Call-off contracts will range from £500k to £10m, with the council aiming to streamline delivery of major roads projects and cut procurement times. Firms are being asked to feed back on the proposed setup before a formal tender is issued. Key points under consideration include the use of NEC4 contracts, a 70:30 quality/price split at framework level and 30:70 at call-off stage, and social value scoring via the Social Value Portal. Lot 1 covers highways schemes from £500k–£10m; Lot 2 targets structural and geotechnical jobs from £250k–£10m. The new arrangement will come into force at the start of 2026. Interested contractors have until 5 August to respond to the market engagement questions. Read More

On completion of a brief mandatory standstill period, Wills Bros Civil Engineering is set to sign a £152.7m contract to upgrade the A9 between Tay Crossing and Ballinluig to dual carriageway. The project involves upgrading approximately five miles (8.2km) of existing single carriageway, from just north of the Jubilee Bridge over the river Tay to the southern end of the existing dual carriageway south of Ballinluig Junction. Total scheme cost is £257m. Wills Bros saw off competition from Balfour Beatty Civil Engineering and John Graham Construction, who were also shortlisted. It is anticipated that the new dual carriageway will be operational by end of 2028, at which point 45% of the A9 between Perth and Inverness will be dualled. Balfour Beatty began a £185m contract earlier this year to upgrade 9.6km of the A9 between Tomatin and Moy. Scotland’s transport secretary, Fiona Hyslop, said: “This is the second contract to be awarded since our delivery plan for A9 dualling was announced in 2023, and clearly demonstrates that we are delivering on our promises. The receipt of three valid tenders during this procurement process means that we can also be confident that our investment in this A9 dualling contract demonstrates value for money, and that the changes we have made to our contracts in recent years are making a real difference. “We are achieving the targets we have laid out, and making steady progress across the corridor to ensure that the full route between Perth and Inverness is dualled by 2035.” Got a story? Email news@theconstructionindex.co.uk Read More

Pick Everard previously worked on the expansion of HMP Rye Hill, near Rugby, with Galliford Try Turner & Townsend has been appointed by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) as the cost management service (CMS) provider for the Future Prison Supply Service framework, while Pick Everard has been appointed as the sole supplier for client designer service on the same framework. The four-year contract will see Turner & Townsend provide cost assurance, commercial oversight, and budgetary support across all RIBA stages for the MoJ’s Future Prison estate strategy, acquisition and pipeline (FPESAP) programme. Pick Everard will lead the design of accommodation across the MoJ estate, covering new build works along with improvement works for existing assets. Chris Sargent, managing director, real estate UK at Turner & Townsend, said: “Securing this appointment is a testament to our team’s expertise and deep understanding of the Ministry of Justice’s estate transformation objectives. We are proud to play a vital role in delivering cost-effective, high-quality prison infrastructure that supports public safety and rehabilitation efforts. This appointment aligns perfectly with our commitment to delivering value-driven solutions that enhance communities and critical national infrastructure. “Our strong relationship with the MoJ uniquely positions us to understand and meet the specific needs of this programme. This long-standing partnership has enabled us to develop tailored solutions that drive efficiency and effectiveness, reinforcing our role as a trusted partner.” Pick Everard operations director Jon Parry said: “This is a really proud moment for us at Pick Everard, securing a key appointment to continue our design work with the MoJ. While working on the New Prisons Programme, our work included developing the reference design for all new prisons – essentially a ‘blueprint’ that has been used across multiple new prisons since its development. “Our expertise in the justice sector has ensured designs for prisons that are fit for the future from every perspective, and with each new prison we have continued to refine the reference design to ensure continuous improvement and agility to evolving pressures on the estate. “This latest appointment will take this even further, building on a relationship that now spans decades. Whether it’s brand-new facilities or working to improve the capacity or condition of existing ones, we’re primed and ready to continue supporting the MoJ with the technical assurance and quality needed for these vital parts of the UK’s infrastructure.” Got a story? Email news@theconstructionindex.co.uk Read More

This acquisition of Premise marks Amey’s return to the Australian market, underlining its commitment to international expansion of its legacy Owen Williams consultancy operations. Brisbane-based Premise supplies consulting engineering services across the built environment, water, environmental, renewables and transport sectorts.  Amey chief executive Andy Milner said: “It’s an exciting opportunity to join forces with a company so deeply embedded in Australia’s regional communities. Premise has demonstrated a strong commitment to place-based solutions, trusted client relationships, and technical excellence along with values that closely align with our own. Our two companies share a common culture of behaving responsibly, ethically, and sustainably in everything we do, with a clear focus on the wellbeing of our people and the communities we serve. Together, with their local knowledge and Amey’s scale, we are well positioned to accelerate growth, support jobs, and deliver cutting-edge infrastructure solutions that make a lasting impact.” Colin Wood, managing director of Amey’s Consulting business, of which Premise will be a part, added: “With its breadth of skill in the built environment, water, environmental & renewables and transport sectors, Premise will significantly strengthen and expand Amey’s consulting capabilities and open up new opportunities in Australia. This is a substantial step in Amey’s journey to put consulting at the heart of its growth strategy. We now have a fantastic opportunity to accelerate our expansion and the benefits we can bring to clients.” Premise chairman Patrick Brady said: “As part of a leading, well-supported and well-connected infrastructure organisation with the scale and vision to drive innovation, this partnership will supercharge our strategic growth plans. It better positions us to accelerate regional investment, unlock new opportunities, expand our expertise and deliver outstanding value for clients across Australia and beyond.” Amey secured its first major contracts in Australia in 2013 – a five-year, £80m highway maintenance contract for Queensland’s Department of Transport & Main Roads, in joint venture with local firms Leighton Contractors and Boral Construction Materials. Within week the same consortium won a similar contract for New South Wales’ Roads & Maritime Services agency. Got a story? Email news@theconstructionindex.co.uk Read More

Lomond Plant says its bumper machinery order with local dealer Scot JCB signals a renewal of confidence in the market. The order comprises a mix of excavators, backhoes, telehandlers, dumpers and rollers to support Lomond Plant’s hire operations across the UK. This investment follows what joint managing director Ross Easton described as the “best start to the year since pre-covid”. He said: “The market seems to be stabilising. Interest rates are coming down, and there are early signs of confidence returning to the construction sector. That means we can begin to plan for growth again. It’s much more predictable now than it’s been in the last three or four years. For a hire business like ours, that clarity is vital, we need to know what’s coming and what machines will be needed.” The deal comprised: 42 x JCB 140X tracked excavators (14 tonnes) 23 x JCB 220X tracked excavators (22 tonnes) 24 x JCB 86C midi excavators (8.6 tonnes, zero-tail-swing) 6 x JCB 525-60 telescopic handlers 5 x JCB 3CX backhoe loaders 5 x JCB 25Z mini excavators (2.5 tonnes, zero-tail-swing) 2 x JCB JS160W wheeled excavators 10 x JCB site dumpers 15 x JCB compaction rollers. Got a story? Email news@theconstructionindex.co.uk Read More