Construction News from build.co.uk
- Dunne Denies New York Times Reports
A well-known Irish developer has denied reports that he could be "considered insolvent" if the global banking crisis ensues. Sean Dunne reportedly told the New York Times he could face financial difficulties should the international situation fail to improve. However, Mr Dunne has today distanced himself from those comments. Contrary to the Times' article, Mr Dunnes office said the actual qu..... - Cement Firm Announces �2m Titanic Plant Investment
A Northern Ireland cement firm has expressed further optimism for Belfast's emerging Titanic Quarter by announcing plans for a �2m on-site plant investment. CEMEX NI said it is confident the company will contribute to 'lifting the gloom' which has taken hold of the construction supply industry in the last 18 months. The firm has already been servicing some of the initial Titanic Quarter devel..... - Cut Capital Gains Tax To Stimulate Economy, Says CIF
The body representing Irish builders has rejected calls from the country's largest trade union for an increase in Capital Gains Tax (CGT).The Construction Industry Federation described such a move as "the completely wrong approach to the current problems in the Irish economy". CIF officials have instead called for a reduction in the CGT in order to stimulate increased activity in the economy...... - Tendering Open On �4m Downpatrick Sports Project
Tendering for the �4m Ballymote extension project in Downpatrick has officially commenced.The project involves the provision of an extension to the existing Ballymote complex - currently comprising a community hall, office space and shops - and the construction of a separate multi use sports hall, with specific provision for young people.The project has been described as 'important' by Social ..... - House Prices Drop By 14.7%
House prices in the UK have fallen by a staggering 14.7% according to the Nationwide.Nationwide said prices fell by another 2.5% in December taking the average house price down to �153,048. The company said that prices have now fallen for 14 months and they are 18% lower than their peak in October 2007. Commenting on the figures Fionnuala Earley, Nationwide's Chief Economist, said: "Northern I..... - 20% Wiped Off Irish House Prices Last Year
Around 20% was wiped off the cost of second-hand homes in Ireland last year. The drop is the largest deflation in prices ever recorded in the country, according to leading estate agents Sherry Fitzgerald. Despite the average fall in value of around a fifth, property prices in Dublin slumped by almost 30% compared to the peak market period in June 2006. Cork property values fell by just over ..... - EDF Buys British Energy Group For �12.5bn
The Government has welcomed the completion of EDF's �12.5 billion purchase of British Energy Group.The purchase is a significant step in EDF's plans to build four new nuclear reactors in the UK.In 2002 the Government stepped in to support a restructuring of the company in order to ensure the safety of nuclear power and security of electricity supplies. Since then, the challenge to tackle clima..... - NI Links Up To Underwater Telecommunications Cable
Northern Ireland's transatlantic telecommunications are to be strengthened by the connection to a fibre optic cable which runs along the seabed.The link up to the cable which connects North America with Europe will improve the speed and extent to which businesses in NI can trade information with the rest of the world.The project is being funded by the EU, in addition to the British and Irish g..... - Galliford Try Awarded �29m Yorkshire Water Projects
Galliford Try, the construction and housebuilding group, has announced the award, in partnership with Earth Tech, of three contracts with a total value of �29 million under Yorkshire Water's large schemes programme.The contracts encompass the refurbishment of East and West Hull pumping stations, including flood remediation works at Hull waste treatment works, as well as water treatment works at ..... - Balfour Beatty Communities Acquires Interest In Military Housing Project
Balfour Beatty, the international engineering, construction, services and investment group, has announced that Balfour Beatty Communities, its US PPP concession subsidiary, has acquired the interests in both Phases I and II of the 50-year military housing privatisation project at Lackland Air Force Base, located in San Antonio, Texas.Phase I of the project consists of 420 housing units, complete..... - Job Fears At Tara Mines
Trade union officials are expected to hold talks in Meath later today aimed at saving jobs at Tara Mines.Fears have grown that jobs losses could be incurred at the facility, prompting SIPTU members to take action. A meeting is due to be held in Navan later, after around 370 workers were placed on protective notice at the mines yesterday.According to reports, the firm has suffered from the fa..... - Highways Agency Award Three Firms �220m MAC Contract
Costain, in a joint venture with consultants Halcrow and contractor Colas, has been awarded by the Highways Agency a five-year �220 million Managing Agent Contractor ('MAC') contract. Under the contract, the joint venture will carry out a range of operational and routine maintenance services and deliver improvements on the motorways and trunk roads in the East Midlands. This covers the motorwa..... - Sainsburys Deliver Major Boost To Bicester Town Centre
Supermarket giant Sainsbury's has delivered a major boost to the future of Bicester town centre by upping its stake in a proposed �70m redevelopment.Despite gloom over many of the nation's High Streets, the retailer is keen to press ahead with the scheme to provide a new superstore, cinema, shops, cafes, library and a 500-space car park.In a joint statement issued with Cherwell District Counci..... - Winners Of Safety Competition Announced
Year 6 pupil Laura Goodbun and Oliver Rash from Year 5 of Town Close House Preparatory School in Norwich are celebrating after scooping top honours in an art competition run by ISG Jackson Special Projects to highlight site safety. The contractor is currently building a �2.3 million new sports hall facility at the school and the winning poster designs will help ISG Jackson Special Projects rein..... - Kingon Re-appointed As Invest NI Chair
Northern Ireland Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has announced the re-appointment of Invest Northern Ireland's Chairman, Stephen Kingon.Welcoming the re-appointment, which will be for a further three years from the start of this month, Ms Foster said: "I would like to acknowledge the effort and commitment Mr Kingon has already shown to Invest Northern Ireland and its mission to increase busine..... - Newly Accredited Icynene At Ecobuild
Icynene, the leading North American manufacturer of soft foam insulation, which has recently been awarded BBA (British Board of Agr�ment) Certification, is exhibiting at Ecobuild in the Canadian Pavilion stand 1465.Founded in Canada in 1986, Icynene is the largest supplier of soft foam insulation and air barrier material in North America and has participated in over 150,000 healthy, environmenta..... - Trend On-site Biscuit Jointer
Trend Machinery has launched a 110-volt version of its popular T20K biscuit jointer with a number of new features, it has been revealed. The new version features a spindle lock making the changing of the blades quicker and easier together with a smaller body to improve the user"s grip and comfort when using the machine.With this new design of gearbox and body, the T20LK also boasts a 12% lowe..... - International Firms Flock To Win Jewellery Quarter Design Contract
More than 100 top designers from across the globe have entered the race to win the design contract for a stunning new �1.5 million public square in the heart of Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter. Being developed as one of the first new projects within the Council's Big City Plan, the 'Golden Square' will provide a place for visitors and locals alike to meet, socialise and unwind, as well providing..... - Dunne Still Confident Over �379m Ballsbridge Project
Notorious property tycoon Sean Dunne has said he will push forward with his multi-million Ballsbridge project, should it receive the green light from planners. Speaking to the New York Times, Mr Dunne conceded that failure is not an option for the scheme.Mr Dunne bought the Jurys and Berkeley Court hotels and an adjoining site in Ballsbridge for �379m in 2005. Early in 2008, the developer wa..... - Green Light For �267m South West Hospital Development
Planning permission has been granted for a new �267million acute hospital in Enniskillen. The news was welcomed by Stormont Health Minister Michael McGimpsey, who described the announcement as an "important milestone" in the development of world-class health and social care services for the population of the south west. He said: "I visited Enniskillen recently to launch an exhibition of the ne.....