The Week That Was - 17 April 2026

Welcome to the week that was, a round-up of key events in the construction sector over the last seven days.

Vinci appointed on £100m Derby redevelopment plans

Vinci UK Developments and Ion Developments were appointed by Derby City Council on 8 April as development partners for a series of redevelopment plans on council-owned city sites.

Redevelopments include the former Assembly Rooms and a nearby multi-story car park on Market Place.  The plans include the construction of three new buildings, including the cultural and commercial hub 'DerbyMADE' as well as a Grade A office building.  Plans also include public realm improvements in the heart of the city.  

This joint venture was selected via a Pagabo Framework with a two-stage procurement process which began in 2023. The scheme's total cost is £100m, split 60% public sector and 40% private investment and includes an additional £3m from the East Midlands Combined County Authority. 

The full article can be accessed here.

Leeds Bradford Airport redevelopment on track for Phase Two

Leeds Bradford Airport is undergoing a £100m expansion in two main phases while remaining fully operational.  Phase One (worth £35m) was completed on time and delivered a 9,500sqm three-storey extension with a new arrivals hall, international baggage reclaim and UK Border Force facilities.  Built on a former WWII munitions shed, the extension involved managing challenging sandstone rock conditions, keeping passenger walkways and aircraft apron operations live.  

Phase Two (worth £65m), is now progressing towards demolition and refurbishment of the existing terminal, will enlarged security, check-in, duty free, retail and arrivals, with completion targeted for late 2026.  This phase is more complex, involving staged demolition, extensive temporary works, strengthening old foundations and dealing with live aircraft operations.  To keep the 120 daily flights and around 18,000 passengers moving, Farrans Construction will be using careful sequencing, close coordination with the airport, segregated access routes, enclosed gantries, and off-site cutting to minimise disruption and safety risks.  

The full article can be accessed here.

MHCLG publishes factsheet on implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025

 From 1 May 2026, the Renters’ Rights Act changes start for private landlords and for social housing landlords that are not private registered providers (PRPs).  PRPs with social housing assured tenancies carry on under the old rules (including Section 8 and Section 21) until October 2027, using existing forms and guidance.  Long leases over 21 years (including shared ownership) are no longer treated as assured tenancies.  

From October 2027 for PRPs: all social housing assured tenancies will become periodic tenancies, section 21 “no fault” evictions will no longer apply, updated possession grounds will apply, a new section 13A process will be able to be used to put up rent, and landlords will need to give tenants an official information sheet explaining these changes.

Please find more information here.

Contractors face tougher CIS supply chain fraud sanctions from HMRC

Recently, HMRC introduced new Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) rules with tougher sanctions against contractors and subcontractors, to tackle supply chain tax fraud.  These rules emerged in response to pressure from the government to close the tax gap between tax due and what is paid.  Under these new rules, a company that doesn't actively push back against tax evasion will lose its gross payment status (GPS).  This is a considerable sanction because GPS status allows contractors not to pay tax liabilities of their subcontractors.  Loss of GPS could seriously affect cashflow and access to tenders.  Operationally, contractors must now carry out more rigorous due diligence and ongoing monitoring across their supply chains, regularly review and update subcontractor contracts, and improve internal education. Two further changes reintroduce mandatory monthly CIS nil returns and exclude payments to local and public authorities from CIS.

Please find out further information, here.
 
Keon Homes boosts mental health and construction careers by building new partnership with ‘The Way Youth Zone’

 Keon Homes has become a patron of Wolverhampton’s The Way Youth Zone, launching a partnership to support local young people through a programme focused on STEM learning, employability and wellbeing.  This initiative aims to address local challenges, including social isolation or youth unemployment and to tackle stigma around wellbeing in traditionally male-dominated sectors, such as construction.  

The Way Youth Zone is a dedicated and popular centre for young people, offering activities such as sport, music and arts, it helps build confidence, reduce anxiety and develop key life skills.  Keon Homes’ proposed programme will use its construction expertise and live sites to provide structured learning, mentoring and real-world industry exposure.  Activities will include site visits, mentoring by Keon staff and construction workshops at The Way Youth Zone, helping young people understand the diverse career opportunities available in the construction sector.

To find out more, click here.

With thanks to Aleksander Polaszek and Sydney Kowalczyk.

Disclaimer: The information in this publication is for guidance purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.  We attempt to ensure that the content is current as at the date of publication, but we do not guarantee that it remains up to date.  You should seek legal or other professional advice before acting or relying on any of the content.

If you have any queries please do get in contact with a member of the team, or your usual RPC contact.