As the week draws to a close, CM rounds up the construction stories you may have missed over the past seven days:
Levelling Up white paper launched
The government is set to fund ‘radical’ regeneration in 20 areas around the country as part of its Levelling Up white paper. Wolverhampton and Sheffield will be the first of the areas to be picked, according to housing secretary Michael Gove, who unveiled the news yesterday (2 February). Gove set out 12 “levelling up missions” to spread opportunity more equally across the country, according to Sky News.
Midas Group intends to appoint administrator
South West-based construction firm Midas Group has confirmed that it is in financial trouble. The business last week (28 January) filed notices of intention to appoint an administrator to three of its companies: Midas Group, Midas Construction, and its housing division Mi-Space, according to the Plymouth Herald.
Beard discovers ‘lost’ university college
A ‘lost’ Oxford university college has been unearthed during construction firm Beard’s development of 30 student flats. The former St Mary’s College was founded in 1435 but fell into disrepair 100 years later. The BBC reported that the site of the college was unearthed during development of the flats at Brasenose College’s Frewin Annexe.
Ice ribbon stadium unveiled for Winter Olympics
The only new venue built for Beijing’s 2022 Winter Olympics, the National Speed Skating Oval, known as the ‘Ice Ribbon’, will be inaugurated at the Games’ opening ceremony, according to Global Construction Review.
Flexible housing designed to respond to growing old
Northumbria University is to work with Design Age Institute to develop a purpose-built home office within a prototype home at South Seaham Garden Village in County Durham. The flexible home will be designed to be adaptable, to allow people to age in place, according to the Royal College of Art.
BAM Nuttall appoints diversity lead
BAM Nuttall has appointed James Walsh to lead development of social impact and diversity and inclusivity (D&I), supporting its highways sector. He joins from the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, where he developed the social value strategy and evaluation system.
