Revised plans in for Sheffield 960 co-living flats scheme




Designed by Staniforth Architects, the latest application for the site at the junction of Wellington Street and Rockingham Street has been down-sized because of rising construction costs from a previously approved 1,380 flats scheme that would have risen to 38 storeys.

The scaled-down 960-flats scheme will include a cinema and gym split across three connected blocks rising from 12 to 26 storeys.

The latest re-engineered plan for a smaller 36,560 m2 building comes after attempts to reduce affordable living and £1.5m CIL contributions were rejected.

Previously consented scheme, designed to have been Yorkshire’s tallest building, has been downsized due to rises in the cost of borrowing and construction

Since the first 2019 application, build costs have jumped 22% to £2,092 m2. This has taken the building cost of the revised project to around £76m, and the total project cost before finance to £97m.

Under the new

Read more

Buyers report construction “stuck in the mud”

The bellwether S&P Global/CIPS UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index was 48.8 in December, down from 50.4 in November and below the crucial 50 no change mark for the first time since last August.

Commercial construction was the only rising sector at 50.3 on the index while civil engineering and house building contracted at 46.8 and 48.0 respectively.

Sentiment among firms towards the year-ahead outlook for activity dipped into negative territory for only the sixth time on record, reflecting fears around the near-term economic outlook.

Dr John Glen, Chief Economist at the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply, said: “The construction sector was stuck in the mud in December with the steepest fall in activity since the beginning of the pandemic in May 2020 and a similarly fast drop in pipelines of new work.

“House building saw a notable change of direction, with a mix of higher inflation

Read more

Sir James Wates to step down as Wates chairman




He will be succeeded by his cousin Tim Wates, who is currently deputy chairman.

Sir James said: “I have enjoyed my 10 years as chairman enormously, and the time is now right to pass the baton over to my cousin Tim.

“I look forward to continuing to serve on the board and being actively involved in the business, including representing Wates in external forums.”

Tim Wates said: “It is an honour to be named the next Chairman of our 125-year-old enterprise and continue our tradition of maintaining a long-term perspective and commitment to business as a force for good in society.”

Tim joined Wates in 1993 after starting his career in banking with Cazenove & Co, and has served on the board from 2006 to 2008 and since 2011.

He was appointed deputy chairman in October 2022 and has served as the lead family director on

Read more

Tilbury Douglas poaches Ferrovial commercial chief




With more than 25 years of experience, most recently as commercial director at Ferrovial, Smith has extensive knowledge of the sector and industry.

Prior to Ferrovial Construction, Smith also held senior positions at other leading construction companies including Kier, Costain and Vinci.

Paul Gandy, CEO at Tilbury Douglas, said: “Martyn will be responsible for the development and implementation of the business’ commercial strategy, which supports the sustainable growth of Tilbury Douglas.”

Smith said: “I am very excited to be joining Tilbury Douglas at such an important stage of the company’s development, having become a standalone major contractor in 2022. I look forward to playing an active part in delivering growth for the business.”






Aaron Morby

Read more

BAM Nuttall names new chief




He replaces Ian Parish who retired as senior director of BAM Nuttall at the end of 2022.

John Wilkinson, COO, BAM UK & Ireland, said: “Following a detailed recruitment process I am delighted to announce Huw Jones as the new executive director for the BAM Nuttall business.

“Huw has brought huge success to our rail division over the last decade and he brings a fresh approach and a real appetite to deliver for our stakeholders, as he takes up his new role leading our civil engineering business.”

Jones, a chartered civil engineer joined BAM in 2009 following previous roles with both contracting and client organisations in construction.

He initially joined as a project manager in the South West of England before moving on to various roles across the rail division.

Jones subsequently became the division director for rail in 2017 before being promoted to his current

Read more