01 April 2011
Building
View all stories from this issue.
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£50k unfair dismissal damages for Kosovan workers
7 Apr 11
Civils firm FM Conway fails in an appeal against employment tribunal ruling
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About the size of it
01 April 2011
Small firm Cotswold Geotechnical was fined 115% of its annual turnover under the Corporate Manslaughter Act. But will larger organisations suffer a similar fate?
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Abu Dhabi port project
01 April 2011
There will be further opportunities for UK firms to win work on the 420km2 Khalifa Port and industrial zone in Abu Dhabi, the company behind the project said this week.
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AKT in £3.75m buy out from WYG
01 April 2011
AKT management buys independence backed by Swedish engineer Tyrens
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Architects wary of government’s standardisation drive
01 April 2011
Architects warn the government not to cut them out of public sector construction
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Babcock accepts cuts
01 April 2011
Engineering giant Babcock, whose order book is up £1bn, has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Cabinet Office agreeing to savings on existing and future government contracts.
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Bechtel’s Crossrail chief leaves project in shake-up
8 Apr 11
Project director Cliff Mumm departs £14.5bn scheme as delivery partner has authority curbed
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Bellway to beat forecasts after spring surge
01 April 2011
Housebuilders thinks it can beat last autumn’s hopes to match 2010’s sales
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Brownfield site investor Inland sees profits rise 192%
01 April 2011
Company reports operating profit of £1.14m
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'Build now, pay later’ pilot to create 3,000 new homes
31 Mar 11
Barratt, Countryside and Keepmoat first to benefit from government scheme on six HCA sites
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Building Awards 2011 Construction client of the year: Olympic Delivery Authority
7 Apr 11
Everybody loves a good client, and this awards category has revealed some of the very best – but this year the Olympic Delivery Authority has gone above and beyond
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Building Awards 2011 Construction Consultant/Surveyor of the year (fewer than 100 staff): Rowan & Partners
7 Apr 11
A happy workforce is so often a sign of a thriving business - and so it is that John Rowan & Partners manages to increase profits while also maintaining a reputation as a good employer
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Building Awards 2011 Consultant of the year (100 staff or over): Gleeds
7 Apr 11
Gleeds comes out on top for this category this year thanks to an extraordinary ability to impress clients and win repeat business while also expanding and diversifying
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Building Awards 2011 Contractor of the Year (up to £300m): McLaren Construction Group
7 Apr 11
A glowing recommendation from clients, solid financials and stand-out project the City of Westminster College helped McLaren Construction to scoop the title
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Building Awards 2011 Cut the Carbon Award: Architype
7 Apr 11
In this award’s debut year, many firms stepped forward to prove their green credentials – but Architype’s astounding 26-year commitment to cutting CO2 made it a clear winner
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Building Awards 2011 Engineering Consultant of the year: Mott MacDonald
7 Apr 11
Mott MacDonald is coming through this downturn in fighting form, managing to expand its worldwide reach while maintaining high quality on its projects as well as excellent health and safety
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Building Awards 2011 Housebuilder of the year: Berkeley Group
5 Apr 11
For the second year in a row, The Berkeley Group has scooped this prize, proving that time and again it is able to deliver housing its customers want while also maintaining a uniquely strong financial position
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Building Awards 2011 Housing Project of the Year: Arundel Square, London
6 Apr 11
Pollard Thomas Edwards’ sensitive addition to a Victorian square, as well as some ingenious engineering solutions, has won top place in a remarkably strong field
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Building Awards 2011 Infrastructure Project of the year: East London Line, TfL
7 Apr 11
TfL’s East London line – by a TfL London Rail, Balfour Beatty and Carillion joint venture – leads a field of superb projects that have improved the speed, convenience and safety of journeys across the UK
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Building Awards 2011 Integrated supply chain of the year: Olympic Delivery Authority
7 Apr 11
The crucial role integrated supply chains can play in delivering a successful and timely project are recognised here, and it’s the enormous and complex 2012 Olympics that shows how it should be done
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Building Awards 2011 Manufacturer of the Year: Schueco
7 Apr 11
Schueco is seen as a leader in its field because, despite the downturn, it has consistently invested in training staff, improving product development and dispersing knowledge through the industry
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Building Awards 2011 Project/Construction Management Firm of the year: Mace
7 Apr 11
Mace’s work on London’s Shard has produced an equally towering overall performance to come top of a strong field of the industry’s project and construction managers
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Building Awards 2011 Public Building Project of the Year: Chelsea Academy
7 Apr 11
Public spending on capital projects may have been scaled back, but Feilden Clegg Bradley’s Chelsea Academy proves that good design still has the power to inspire and motivate a generation of schoolchildren
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Building Awards 2011 Specialist Contractor of the Year: Lakesmere
7 Apr 11
A finalist last year, Lakesmere now takes the gong in this category for its dedication to sustainability in the industry and its commercial ambitions both here and abroad
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Building Awards 2011: Major Contractor of the year: Willmott Dixon
7 Apr 11
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Building Magazine Project of the year: Royal Shakespeare Theatre
7 Apr 11
The transformation of the RSC’s theatre has brought new life to one of the world’s most iconic theatre venues while retaining many elements of the original building – a stunning performance indeed
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BuildingTV: Europe's tallest living wall springs into life
6 Apr 11
Bennett’s Associates use 180,000 plants to create 11th-storey green wall at the Mint Hotel in London
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BuildingTV: Ian Tyler reveals Balfour Beatty's expansion plans
11 Apr 11
Building’s Chief executive of the Year talks about Balfour’s next move in our new interview series View from the top
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Camberwell Leisure Centre refurbishment
01 April 2011
?Watkins Grey International has completed the first phase of the south London project
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Carillion lands £204m FM contracts
6 Apr 11
Contractor to provide facilities management services for Nationwide and Virgin Media
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Construction activity surge continues
4 Apr 11
Latest CIPS/Markit survey shows sector continued to perform strongly in March
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Construction worker injured after drowning rescue attempt
4 Apr 11
Workers dive into rough seas to aid a drowning walker off the Sussex coast
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Costain may target smaller firms after Mouchel rejection
01 April 2011
Analysts say bolt-ons more likely than renewed bid for Mouchel after fourth attempt dismissed
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Costain: We won't bid for Mouchel again
4 Apr 11
Contractor makes announcement following rejection by Mouchel of a total of four Costain bids
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Councils could pass school procurement to central body
01 April 2011
Move included in latest draft of Sebastian James review, with full report expected imminently
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Councils receive millions in new homes cash
5 Apr 11
Winners and losers as first New Homes Bonus allocation is finalised
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Countdown to the 2011 Building Awards
6 Apr 11
Construction’s biggest awards of the year takes place on Thursday night. Join us in the build up to the big event
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Crest Nicholson to hold on to 10% stake after Varde takeover
01 April 2011
Sources have confirmed Varde will not expect the housebuilder to relinquish its 10% stake
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Crossrail awards £225m tunnel contracts
7 Apr 11
Murphy, Hochtief, Vinci and Morgan Sindall confirmed in latest round of awards
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Design Council opens "root and branch" review of Cabe
1 Apr 11
Consultation starts as two bodies formally merge
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Diversity Champion of the year: Lakehouse
7 Apr 11
Diversity is a crucial issue in the construction industry, and this year’s category entries prove that it is being taken very seriously. And by no firm more so than winner Lakehouse
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Eaga shareholder vote
01 April 2011
Eaga shareholders have voted to approve a £306m takeover bid by Carillion. Eaga shares are now expected to be listed under Carillion’s name on the stock exchange from 21 April.
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Firm fined £6K for flouting safety rules
5 Apr 11
Firm failed to address problems despite repeated calls
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Firms trying to duck royal holiday pay
5 Apr 11
Union Ucatt says it has been inundated with calls from concerned workers
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First Impressions: Rogers' One Hyde Park
1 Apr 11
Our new student panel discuss the Rogers Stirk Harbour and Candy & Candy designed Knightsbridge luxury residential building
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Former Powergen boss to head nuclear regulator
4 Apr 11
Nick Baldwin to be interim chair of Office for Nuclear Regulation
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Funding package agreed for Stonehenge
5 Apr 11
Culture minister says £27m visitor centre now back on track
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Galliford Try merges housing brands
31 Mar 11
Contractor plans to grow housing business to 4,000 homes over next three years
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Gifford purchase doubles Ramboll’s size
01 April 2011
The merged firm has almost 1,000 employees in the UK
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Government blocks RDA land transfers
4 Apr 11
Business department says councils can’t get cut price government land
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Green goodies
01 April 2011
With feed-in tariffs, the Renewable Heat Incentive and the carbon reduction agenda driving the market, what technologies are emerging in green building services? Here are the front-runners
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Green light for £80m Royal Docks 'eco' block
01 April 2011
Silvertree project gets electricity and heating from solar source
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Hansom: Stop nagging!
01 April 2011
Niggles and moans seem to be this week’s theme. From a grumpy Phil Spencer, to a deputy mayor just too sick to make a Monday morning meeting. I, however, have been a ray of sunshine as usual
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Hill Partnerships to build 309-home Genesis project
01 April 2011
Housing contractor has won job thought to be worth approximately £50m
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HMRC cuts late payment fines
01 April 2011
Lower charges will apply from October this year
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HMRC cuts late payment fines
29 Mar 11
HMRC has cut some late payment fines for contractors filling out Construction Industry Scheme returns.
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Housebuilder McInerney goes under
5 Apr 11
Deal will see a third of sites and social housing business continue
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How the OFT went OTT
01 April 2011
The penalties dished out by the OFT over cover pricing did more harm than the offence they sought to punish. Now the fines have been reduced by 90% and it’s time to move on
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Interserve bags £108m defence contract
4 Apr 11
Two-year extension agreed with Defence Infrastructure Organisation
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Kohn Pederson Fox unveils Indian project
01 April 2011
Residential neighbourhood in Gurgaon will include duplex apartments and 40-storey towers
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Latest construction appointments: 1 April 2011
01 April 2011
GVA, Rex Procter & Partners, Leadbitter, Bouygues Construction and Doyle Group have all made new appointments
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LDA facing £327m in Olympic park claims
01 April 2011
The claimants were affected by the LDA’s compulsory purchase of the Olympic park site in Stratford
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Leadbitter wins £49m Cornwall campus job
4 Apr 11
Contractor to build facilities for the University of Exeter and University College Falmouth
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Make submits new design for Cherry Orchard Road
5 Apr 11
Fifty-four storey Croydon scheme goes in for planning
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Mansion tax looms
01 April 2011
Business secretary Vince Cable is in discussions with chancellor George Osborne to re-open the possibility of a “mansion tax” on homes worth more than £1m.
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Merger of two niche residential firms creates £6m pipeline
01 April 2011
Size Breed and Penn Contracting create business with 30 staff to target the high net worth residential market
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Mixed-use scheme starts in north London
01 April 2011
A mixed-use development designed by architect HTA has started near the Wembley development
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Morgan Sindall appointed to £500m framework
6 Apr 11
Smarte East Alliance appoints firm for construction works
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Morgan Sindall to win £50m Crossrail job
01 April 2011
Sources say contractor set to win Pudding Mill Lane Portal job
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Nakheel delays payments again
01 April 2011
Developer still owes £6.5bn
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Network Rail to reduce costs
01 April 2011
Reforms are planned to end cost overruns on £6bn pipeline
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NHS Trust sets up consultant framework
1 Apr 11
London hospitals wants experts to design secure mental health accommodation
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North Midland revenue and profits up
4 Apr 11
But contractor announces its building division is up for review after posting losses
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Nuclear report delayed due to Japan crisis
6 Apr 11
HSE and Environment Agency await Mike Weightman assessment
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OFT fines on construction recruiters slashed
01 April 2011
CAT reduces penalties on agencies by 64%
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Oxford Street goes shopping
01 April 2011
The eastern end of London’s Oxford Street is in dire need of some street cred. Happily a £2bn revamp is on its way, spurred on by Crossrail. So what are the plans, who are the main players and where should you look for work?
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Oxford Street redevelopment: designing our way out of shopping hell
01 April 2011
Oxford Street is famous as a shopping destination but nobody really likes it there. We look at how the redevelopment will change this world renowned location, and also why now is the perfect time to give Oxford Street a makeover
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Prepared for the competition?
01 April 2011
It’s possibly the most significant change in property law for decades – from this month, commercial property transactions become subject to competition law
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Pritzker prize winner
01 April 2011
Portugese architect, Eduardo Souto de Moura, has been awarded the highest honour in architecture: the Pritzker prize.The 58-year-old architect who designed Braga stadium (pictured) and the Burgo Tower in Porto, will receive a $100,000 grant and a bronze medallion. He is the second Portugese architect to win the prize, following Alvaro Silva in 1992.
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Qatari Diar makes Olympic village shortlist
6 Apr 11
ODA says three organisations are still in with a chance for athletes’ village
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Rebuilding Iraq: Mott MacDonald's Marsh Arab school
01 April 2011
How do you start to rebuild a country devasted by war? When Mott MacDonald was asked to make a school for the Marsh Arabs, it went back to using traditional woven reed – reconnecting the community to its roots.
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Remixed: Ab Rogers interview
01 April 2011
Ab Rogers, son of Richard, flopped at school, became a hippy, and is, by his own father’s judgment, ’pretty crazy’. None of that stops him being a sought after UK designer trusted with designs for the likes of Pizza Express and the Fat Duck. Meet a true individual
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Revealed: Green Deal costs will outweigh savings
01 April 2011
Blow to sustainability policy as study shows commercial building improvements cost more than they save
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RIBA president refuses to deny board rumours
4 Apr 11
Ruth Reed emails members but fails to deny reports of failed no-confidence bid
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Rolls Royce to build factories in Rotherham
6 Apr 11
Planning applications to be submitted next month
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Solar panel projects come to a 'screeching halt'
01 April 2011
Cuts to the amount of subsidy for technology has halted the market for large solar panel projects
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Standardise and deliver
01 April 2011
It’s time to prove that the industry can deliver the 10-20% savings the government wants – but there are some major obstacles to overcome
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Step 1: Standardise your public building
01 April 2011
Efficiency has long eluded the construction industry - but now the government is demanding cuts in costs of up to 20%. So any company wanting public sector work had better think up some pretty clever ways to help make that happen
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Suspend reality
01 April 2011
Make sure you’re clear on the terms of a contract before suspending for non-payment. If you get it wrong, you could end up being burned
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Sustainability on a shoestring
01 April 2011
The Budget didn’t do much to raise Pascale Scheurer’s hopes for the future of the industry. Here she considers what has changed and what you can do to mitigate the effects
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Taylor Wimpey posts £75m profit
3 Mar 11
Housebuilder results ahead of expectations as it turns rounds 2009 loss of £96m
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Telford Homes plans expansion with £70m loan
8 Apr 11
Bank loan facility will be used to pay off debts and fund acquisitions
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The big questions
01 April 2011
Readers share their respects for construction industry giant Sir Frank Lampl, who died last week, as well as pondering the nuclear debate and media coverage of unrest in the Middle East
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The Budget: Time to deliver
01 April 2011
Last week’s Budget made it clear that the construction industry needs to be more responsive if it is to play an influential role in the UK’s growth strategy
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The green pound
01 April 2011
Energy and carbon legislation is an increasing preoccupation for clients who need their buildings to comply - providing a real opportunity for M&E contractors
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The Olympic stadium: Sprint finish
01 April 2011
Functional, lean and tightly compact, the Olympic stadium has powered through the construction phase to be delivered early and under budget.
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The UK’s largest zero carbon housing scheme
01 April 2011
In 2007 Linden Homes and Affinity Sutton joined forces to build what they say will be the UK’s largest zero carbon housing development
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Town and country
7 Apr 11
Protecting the green belt from redevlopment is not the same as protecting the English countryside. If we work sustainably, we can create a better, greener future
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Trench collapse kills 24-year-old worker
8 Apr 11
Kent man arrested on suspicion of corporate manslaughter
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Ucatt to appeal void election
5 Apr 11
North-west regional secretary George Guy has been appointed acting general secretary
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UK company to supply power to Japan
4 Apr 11
Aggreko signs deal for 200MW following earthquake
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Vinci announces 12% turnover drop
4 Apr 11
Proifit soars 154% to £39.1m
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Vinci gets go-ahead for £22m school
5 Apr 11
Construction on Sheffield project to begin immediately
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Vinci-led Tramlink wins £530m Nottingham tram network bid
01 April 2011
Current operator, Arrow Connect, missed out
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West Ham 2012 stadium bidding race begins
8 Apr 11
Prospective contractors given until 12 May to prequalify
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Why the Green Deal won't work for non-domestic buildings
01 April 2011
The government’s Green Deal promises to revolutionise the UK’s energy efficiency. But can it deliver financial savings? Richard Quartermaine of Cyril Sweett investigated the payback implications of four non-domestic buildings, and the results are not encouraging …
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Why WWF had to leave the Carbon Taskforce
5 Apr 11
Groundbreaking green policy has been undermined by government says WWF campaign manager Darren Shirley
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Wolseley warns of second half slowdown after VAT rise
01 April 2011
Firm says the UK is the most ’concerning’ market
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Wonders and blunders with Derry Long
01 April 2011
Derry Long loves the history and charm of St Pancras International station but can’t bear the simply criminal design flaws of Sutton Police headquarters
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Work starts on Lincs energy from waste plant
1 Apr 11
Facility forms part of a £145m investment plan
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Workers to wear Will and Kate hard hats
01 April 2011
Construction workers may not get a day off but they will play a role in the Royal wedding
