The Conservatives want to build east of Docklands, while Disney want to block a California development, and Balfour Beatty prepare to face the Metronet music.

Redwood to announce plans for new eco-city
Conservative cabinet minister John Redwood will propose ambitious plans for a green city to be built between Docklands and the Medway towns later this week, the Observer reports. The 250,000 home development would be built on reclaimed land along the Thames estuary with the aim of alleviating overcrowding in London and boosting economic competitiveness.

ROK chief Snook unphased by ‘woofty’ image
In an interview with The Sunday Times, Gavin Snook, CEO of the branded building company Rok, has defended his firm's different approach to branding to running his company compared to peers in contracting. “Yeah, I think we’ve been called a bit woofty on occasions, and when I meet our peer group I do hear them laugh about what we’ve done.” In six years Rok has risen in value from £7m to £322m.

Balfour Beatty to announce £100m Metronet write-off to shareholders
Scotland On Sunday has predicts contractor Balfour Beatty will have a tought time of it on Wednesday when it posts its latest results. The paper says the firm is expected to explain the £100m write-off it has been forced to take as a result of tube maintenance company Metronet’s recent failures.

Travelodge invests £1m in new green strategy
Budget hotel chain Travelodge is launching a major green investment initiative, The Mail On Sunday has written. As part of the £1 million strategy, it the company has appointed Nicola Stopps its environmental ‘tsarina’. Stopps duties will include developing sustainable construction and operational techniques for Travelodge’s 314 hotels across the country, as well as raising awareness of the relevant issues with hotel staff and customers.

Disney in housing development barney
The Walt Disney Company has gone to court to fight a housing development planned near its most popular theme park, Disneyworld, in Anaheim, California, The Times reports. Disney has sued its host city and collected enough signatures to overturn the local council’s proposal to redevelop and build social housing on a site that is currently home to two trailer parks. The dispute is becoming increasingly bitter, with the council arguing that the redevelopment will provide low-cost housing for Disney staff (the majority of whom make less than US$10 an hour) and others suffering through the California housing boom. Disney dismisses this, noting that more people currently live in mobile homes on the sites than would receive housing under the development.

Home pack inspectors lambast scheme
The Sunday Telegraph reports on Home Information Pack inspectors who are more than a little miffed with life. They claim loopholes in the legislation and no definite dates for the roll out of the scheme have left them little, if any, work. A Mr P Phillips, says: "I feel I have wasted £4,000… I'm now looking to see how I can get some money back from this misguided farce."