The Week That Was - 2 May 2025

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

McLaren Construction to deliver major industrial hub in Bristol 

Equation Properties Limited have appointed McLaren Construction Midlands and North to deliver Plot 4 of the Matrix 49 industrial development in Avonmouth, Bristol. This follows on from their partnership regarding Plot 3 of Matrix 49, a £21.6m development spanning 13 acres, which is now near completion. 

The Plot 4 project encompasses a 596,000 sq ft speculative warehouse, office space, transport hubs, a link bridge and a gatehouse. Construction commenced in February 2025 and is scheduled for completion in April 2026.  On completion, this project will be a further contribution to the site’s evolution into a prime logistics and industrial hub.

The project aims for a BREEAM Excellent rating and adheres to the Considerate Constructors Scheme as well as Smart Waste BRE standards.  The hub is expected to generate a range of employment opportunities as well as providing long-term benefits to the local economy.  This is in line with McLaren's commitment to deliver high-quality and sustainable industrial spaces.

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Stability returns to UK construction with cautious growth ahead 

The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) reports that UK construction workloads remained stable in Q3 2024.  Infrastructure continues to lead growth expectations (+32%), while confidence in private residential construction is also expected to improve.  

Despite optimism, the sector faces persistent challenges. Financial constraints are the most cited obstacle, with 63% of respondents highlighting them as a limiting factor.  Skills shortages and regulatory hurdles also remain a significant concern. Nevertheless, the employment prospects are positive, with expectations of workforce growth in the coming year (+15%). 

RICS Chief Economist, Simon Rubinsohn, notes that while there is a heightened level of uncertainty both at a global and domestic level, the metrics point to a relatively modest uplift in construction workloads over the next twelve months, although profitability in the sector remains under pressure. 

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MJS Projects v RPS Consulting: cracked concrete caused by construction errors, not negligent design

In MJS Projects v RPS Consulting [2025] EWHC 831 (TCC), the court determined whether damage to concrete in a container park near the Port of Felixstowe was caused by negligent design or construction errors. 

The claimant contractor sub-contracted the design of the container park to the Defendant, RPS.  The construction was then sub-contracted to the Claimant's subsidiary, MJS Construction.  In December 2017, concrete which surrounded slot drains began cracking, only four months after completion.  MJS Projects claimed that RPS had negligently designed the container park. 

The issue before the court was whether the damage to the drains was caused by RPS's design, the way they were constructed, or both.  The court heard evidence that 25mm dowels were used for the drains, instead of the 32mm specified in RPS's design.  HHJ Kelly held that RPS's design was one that a reasonably competent body of engineers could have produced.  Additionally, even if the design had been negligent, it had not caused the cracks.  The court decided that construction errors by MJS Construction had caused the damage.

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Westminster City Council awards housing contract to Willmott Dixon after collapse of Geoffrey Osborne 

Westminster City Council published a contract notice on 29 April 2025 announcing it had awarded a £7.2m contract to Willmott Dixon Construction for the completion of social homes at Torridon House.  The contract had originally been awarded to Geoffrey Osborne Limited, but work ceased when the company went into administration on 24 April 2024. 

The contract with Geoffrey Osborne was due for completion in July 2024 and, by the time it went into administration, it had completed 80% of the work.  The new 12 month contract with Willmott Dixon is for the completion of the remaining 21 social homes.  

Westminster City Council used the direct award process, which permits it to award a contract without prior publication of a call for competition.  The Southern Construction Framework was used and the contract, a JCT Design and Build 2016 agreement, was concluded on 6 January 2025.

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UK Construction companies favouring plant hire 

Due to increased costs, tightened legislation, and decarbonisation targets, construction companies are opting to hire equipment instead of purchasing it. Barbour ABI found that the plant hire market had increased in value by nearly 24% since 2020. 

Hiring allows firms to scale up quickly for major projects without the financial and legislative burden of plant ownership.  This method also allows flexibility in equipment ownership.  Plant hire companies are also investing in low-emission, battery electric, and hydrogen-powered machinery which allows contractors to access environmentally friendly equipment.  Supported by a projected £700 billion in UK infrastructure investment and a growing push for low-emission equipment, Barbour ABI anticipates that the plant hire market will keep expanding. 

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Teenagers want more education on careers in trades

Construction makes up 6% of Britain's GDP and is a fundamental pillar to economic stability. However, many young people are overlooking the sector and seeking careers in tech and digital industries instead. Metals4U conducted a survey to find out why this is the case and how improvements could be made to the outlook of the UK's future in skilled trades.

500 young people (aged 14-17) were surveyed, and of these only 8% said they were interested in a career in construction, with one in four people saying they don't believe they are taught enough about trade career opportunities. 

Ore Projects, founded by two women, is trying to counteract this by supporting LGBT+, SEND students, and women to learn skills in a safe and inclusive environment. Co-founder Daniela Rubino says that "we need more opportunities to show students the value of working with your hands and more accessible pathways into trade skills". 

Click here to read more.

With thanks to: Liv Bradfield, Alex Moja-Chavarria, and Maddie Ward. 

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.