Bouygues UK has been awarded a £27 million contract to provide a new graduate facility as part of Queen Mary University of London (QMUL)’s main teaching campus in Tower Hamlets.

The building will provide a vital research and teaching resource for the university and its growing number of postgraduate students; with large amphitheatre-style teaching areas and 63 offices dedicated to supporting postgraduates with their studies at the Mile End Road campus.

The university’s School of Economics and Finance will also relocate to the new building, which will include a cafe, lecture theatre and seminar rooms as well as a common room and terrace.

Bouygues UK’s Managing Director for Construction London, Arnaud Bekaert, said: “We are delivering a new building, on a busy student campus, in close proximity to London Underground – each of which presents different, simultaneous challenges for us during the construction phase.

“The eight-storey facility will be built with two concrete cores and feature a 750 tonne steel frame with a brick facade and curtain wall. The building has an irregular facade so it is not uniform in design.

“Due to its proximity to the Central Line, the building has also had to incorporate features to absorb and minimise vibrations from the trains using the underground, as have our construction methods. All in all, it is an exciting and complex project.”

As part of the project, Bouygues UK is once again collaborating with architects WilkinsonEyre; the companies previously worked together on the multiple award-winning Mary Rose Museum.

Project Manager Lead, Julie Crossen, Sweett Group said: “We are extremely pleased to have Bouygues UK as part of the project team to deliver the new Graduate Centre. Through our combined experience and established relationship, and working closely with the design team, we will deliver a state-of-the-art facility for QMUL.”

Enabling works have already been carried out on the site. The project is scheduled for completion in time for late 2016.

Kier has been given a £22 million contract to reconfigure and refurbish Dewsbury and District Hospital for the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust (MYHT).

Incorporating both refurbishment and new build, the three-year P21+ project will provide a new main entrance to provide a central focal point for patients, visitors and staff.

The reconfiguration of the hospital will allow MYHT to bring together all of the services it currently provides across the site into the existing Ridings building.

The works are being carried out to meet MYHT’s ‘Meeting the Challenge Strategy’, which aims to provide accessible and safe services to local people. Dewsbury and District Hospital will also become a designated ‘emergency centre’ as part of the Trust’s programme to develop an emergency care network across Mid Yorkshire.

Kier will complete the work in two phases, starting later this year by relocating services into the Ridings building and Service Centre. The construction of the new main entrance forms part of the phase two works.

Robbie Blackhurst, Kier framework manager, said: “We are pleased to have been chosen to deliver this exciting reconfiguration of Dewsbury and District Hospital, which will help to provide a more streamlined service for patients.

“Kier has extensive experience in the provision of healthcare schemes, having secured over 50 projects through the P21+ framework in the past four years, and we’re looking forward to working closely with MYHT’s clinical stakeholders to design and deliver this transformational programme.”

Kevin Oxley, MYHT director responsible for capital project developments, added: “We are delighted to announce the appointment of Kier as our P21+ partner for the Dewsbury Hospital redevelopment.

“Kier have a long and distinguished track record in both hospital redevelopment and new builds. We look forward to them bringing their experience and expertise to this important project.”

BAM Construction is to build a £6.5 million office block at the rapidly expanding Plymouth Science Park that will create jobs and boost the local economy.

The contractor, which has offices in Exeter, will deliver the 2,500 sq m state-of-the-art building as phase five of Plymouth Science Park.

It will feature modern, comfortable office space; state-of-the-art technology; and communal spaces designed to foster collaboration.

The company will work with local labour and apprentices, as well as aiming to provide opportunities to subcontractors in the area. The project is due to start in August 2015 and complete a year later.

Plymouth Science Park is a joint venture between Plymouth University and Plymouth City Council and is part of the Growth Acceleration and Investment Network (GAIN). It is home to more than 70 businesses employing 750 people.

The development is being funded by the partners with funding from the first round of the Growth Deal made by Government to the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership.

BAM Construction Director, Graham Kingdon, said: “BAM is delighted to be working on this exciting development for the thriving science sector in Plymouth.

“We have already worked hard to cut the length of the construction programme and to ensure the client’s ambitions for this development are fully met. We now look forward to working hard to ensure the scheme benefits the local economy and environment throughout its construction and end use.”

Sustainability measures will include solar panels on the roof, rainwater harvesting, natural ventilation and high-performance wall insulation panels.

Proposals for a major overhaul of Southall station as part of the Crossrail programme have been approved by Ealing Council, paving the way for work to start this summer.

The work will be carried out by Network Rail and will last around 2 years. From the end of 2017, the station will be run by Transport for London as part of London’s integrated transport network.

By improving transport links, Crossrail is already unlocking development opportunities in west London, encouraging investment and supporting local jobs and businesses.

Almost half of planning applications (44%) within a kilometre of the five stations in the London Borough of Ealing cited the new railway as a justification for the development proceeding.

An example of a development that has cited Crossrail as a key factor includes the Southall Gas Works. The 83 hectare brownfield site has outline planning permission for a development of 3,750 homes and 525,000 square feet of commercial and community space and a primary school.

Matthew White, Crossrail Surface Director said: “The Crossrail improvements will transform the station and deliver a larger building that will serve local people for many decades to come.

“The designs show a bright, spacious structure that will be easier for passengers to get around and will provide a focal point for the local area.”

Councillor Julian Bell, leader of Ealing Council, said: “The new design makes it as easy as possible for passengers to use, while also making a significant improvement to the town centre in line with the regeneration work that is already well underway in the area.

“It is clear that the new station and the arrival of Crossrail will bring long lasting benefits not only for commuters but for the area as a whole.”

Crossrail has also been working with Ealing Council and Network Rail to help develop plans for improvements around both the new and existing station buildings which can be implemented when the new station building has opened.

The government has provided nearly 800,000 new homes across England since 2009, according to new figures released by the Valuation Office Agency.

The official statistics show the government’s plan to boost jobs and growth in the British house building industry is working.

The figures – which show how many properties there are in England covered by a Council Tax band – highlight an increase of 795,000 new homes since 2009.

The annual increase is 173,000 homes between March 2014 and March 2015.

Communities Secretary Greg Clark said: “Today’s figures show how our efforts have got the country building again, with almost 800,000 additional homes delivered since the end of 2009.

“Our radically reformed planning system has put power in the hands of local communities, helping over 200,000 households onto the property ladder through government-backed schemes.

“Whilst our efforts to cut the deficit have helped keep interest rates at their record low making mortgages more affordable.”

Three multi-million pound deals will provide over 1,000 new homes specifically for private rent in London, Housing Minister Brandon Lewis announced this week.

The homes will be built in some of the capital’s most sought-after locations – including the newest neighbourhood in Stratford’s Olympic Village site.

Building to rent

The £1 billion Build to Rent fund is designed to help developers produce large scale, quality homes, specifically for the private rented sector.

The latest agreements will mean £252 million is invested in building 1,353 homes across key sites in London. These include:

• 903 homes for rent at Stratford’s Olympic Village

• 278 homes for rent at Newington Butts in Southwark

• 172 homes for rent across sites in Hammersmith, Westminster and West Kensington

Work on the homes will start straight away, and be completed in 2017 and 2018.

Each site will include a mix of 1, 2 and 3-bedroom properties, all located closely to underground stations.

Speaking at the London Real Estate Forum, Housing Minister Brandon Lewis said: “As a global city, with excellent opportunities and links to the rest of the world, there is clear demand to provide people with the flexible option of renting in London.

“These 3 deals will deliver 1,353 new homes specifically for private rent in some of the capital’s most sought-after locations, meeting the needs of tenants well into the future.

“These 3 deals are the latest to receive Build to Rent funding, delivering a total 4,200 new homes worth a combined £464 million since 2013, and offering greater choice for Londoners.”

Chief Executive of the Homes and Communities Agency Andy Rose said: “The HCA is focused on increasing housing supply and these latest deals will help to build a strong private rented sector providing a choice of quality homes in areas of high demand.”

Plans to boost infrastructure and housing in Scotland are to go further improvements to help the nation’s planning system, Social Justice Secretary Alex Neil has announced.

10 years since planning reform began with the publication of a white paper, Mr Neil announced plans to consult on further reforms to the planning system that will help the house building sector.

The Scottish Government wants to improve and streamline development planning and housing delivery and this is expected to be a focus of a national discussion in the coming year.

Delivering the keynote address at the Scottish Planning Policy Conference, Mr Neil will said: “Modern planning policy can make a real difference to the places where people live and work. Much has been achieved in the past 10 years, which has seen major changes, for the better, in the planning system.

“But I recognise that more needs to be done to deliver on our aspirations for a high performing planning system. The vision of a truly inclusive planning system is best served by continuous improvement of existing procedure and systems, led by innovative approaches to stakeholder engagement.

“I will work with all those involved in the planning system to develop proposals for further reforms in more detail, later this year.”

Planning consent has been given for construction of the world’s first tidal lagoon, in a boost to moving towards a low carbon, home grown energy mix.

Turbines in the proposed six-mile horseshoe shaped sea wall around Swansea Bay in Wales could generate around 500GWh per year of low carbon electricity.

Energy and Climate Change and Wales Office Minister Lord Bourne said: “We need more clean and home-grown sources of energy, which will help to reduce our reliance on foreign fossil fuels.

“Low carbon energy projects like the tidal lagoon in Swansea Bay could bring investment, support local jobs and help contribute to the Welsh economy and Swansea area.”

Separately from the planning consent, the project is still subject to Contract for Difference (CfD) negotiations to establish whether a tidal lagoon at Swansea Bay is affordable and value for money for consumers.

Any decision to offer a CFD for the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon project would be subject to strict value for money considerations and affordability, and to State aid approval.

Muse Developments has announced regeneration plans for the next phase of its £100 million building scheme of South Shields town centre.

The second phase of redevelopment in the town will build upon work already on-going including construction of The Word, the North East Centre for the Written Word, the region’s state-of-the-art new cultural venue.

The South Shields 365 vision will make improvements to all aspects of community life – from the shopping and leisure offer, to the way people travel to, from and around the town centre.

Cllr Iain Malcolm, Leader of South Tyneside Council, said: “The development of a new transport interchange in South Shields is a fundamental part of our 365 masterplan and vision for the town centre.

“The integrated facility would bring together a new bus interchange and relocated, refurbished Metro station, improving the sense of arrival and connectivity for visitors.

“With the first phase of the 365 plan well underway, there has been significant work alongside Nexus and our other partners behind the scenes to develop the plans for this bespoke hub which aims to deliver the best possible transport public transport links for our town centre.”

The partnership between South Tyneside Council and Muse Developments has resulted in ambitious proposals to transform South Shields town centre and provide lasting improvements to the town.

David Wells, Development Director at Muse Developments, said: “We are delighted to reveal the proposals for the second phase of our redevelopment work in South Shields.

“We feel that the new transport interchange and travel plan will revolutionise the town, making it far more accessible and safer for pedestrians. We want more people to visit South Shields and this development will enable this.

“We want to make South Shields a year round tourist destination and the improvements to access in the town will greatly improve the propensity for tourism and ultimately economic growth.”

A new 16,000 m² medical research hub at the University of Oxford has been given the go-ahead from planners this week.

The £11.1 million Oxford BioEscalator will become a catalyst for the translation and commercialisation of the university’s medical and clinical research.

Make’s design for the new building incorporates The Oxford BioEscalator and key amenity facilities for the University of Oxford’s Old Road Campus.

The building aims to deliver a high-quality, user-friendly facility at the centre of the campus, and incorporates a public cafe, gym, range of meeting spaces, along with multi-storey car park for 456 cars and a delivery and waste consolidation centre.

Organised around ‘The Cut’ – a dramatic entrance which serves the social amenity spaces, The BioEscalator, and car park – the design ensures the building becomes a focal point of activity for the campus.

The Oxford BioEscalator, part of the Oxford City Deal, is a fully flexible medical research laboratory, involving a consortium of stakeholders, which will act as a catalyst for the translation and commercialisation of the university’s medical and clinical research for the benefit of patients and the wider public.

Justin Nicholls, Make partner and lead project architect, said: “This new social, cultural and functional hub, incorporating a world-leading innovation centre, will help drive forward discoveries in medical science by providing a focal point for interaction between researchers, clinicians and entrepreneurs, right in the heart of one of the world’s largest medical research facilities.”

The amenities building is Make’s sixth project for the University of Oxford and is the keystone to an overall masterplan for the site which was approved in 2013.