The Week That Was - 23 May 2025

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

BDW Trading v URS

This week, the Supreme Court handed down its eagerly anticipated decision in the case of BDW Trading v URS. Whilst the Court declined to grasp the nettle of whether the case of Pirelli v Oscar Faber (the leading case in limitation for construction claims) should be overturned, the judgment is of huge significance for the construction industry, and we will be sharing a fuller note on the case shortly. Watch this space.

BBA approves recycled bricks

The British Board of Agrément (BBA) has approved the use of recycled bricks in construction projects.  The bricks, manufactured by Scottish company Kenoteq, are low-carbon and made almost entirely from construction and demolition waste. Compared to standard clay bricks, the unfired recycled bricks have 95% less embodied carbon due to their production process.  Sam Chapman, co-founder and executive director of Kenoteq, said: "The construction industry is under increasing pressure to reduce its environmental impact while maintaining high standards of quality and safety.  The BBA certification of the K-Briq demonstrates that these goals are not mutually exclusive – we can build better while building greener.”  Commercial production of the brick will now commence, with plans to set up regional production in the UK and internationally.

To read more, please click here.

Crown Estates and Lendlease Joint Venture

The Crown Estate and Lendlease have conditionally agreed to create a 50/50 joint venture partnership to develop Lendlease's undeveloped land management portfolio across London and Birmingham. 

The portfolio comprises six developments in or around Euston Station, Silvertown, Stratford Cross, Thamesmead Waterfront and High Road West in Haringey, all in London, and Smithfield in Birmingham.  Lendlease will act as development manager.

In an announcement on The Crown Estate's website on Monday, it was stated that "the joint venture has the potential to deliver over 10 million square feet of workspace including cutting-edge science, innovation and technology spaces, more than 100,000 jobs and circa 26,000 new homes – including rental and affordable – set across a programme of real estate development with a Gross Development Value of up to an estimated £24 billion".  

To read more, please click here.

Wates Calls for Government-Co-Owned Approach to Infrastructure Spending

In a white paper launched at the Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum in Leeds on 21 May, Wates has unveiled an “alliance investment model” (AIM) aimed at unlocking over £100m for investment in public infrastructure projects.  The model seeks to attract, for example, pension fund investment into sectors such as schools, hospitals, housing, defence facilities, and transport. It aims to improve on the private finance initiative (PFI) model.

The proposed model would feature an 80/20 equity division between the private sector and government, aiming to share risk and responsibility while introducing a clear contractual framework that incentivises effective delivery.  Wates also noted that this equity structure would enable projects under the AIM model to remain off the balance sheet in line with accounting rules, making the approach more appealing for government.

Wates urged the Government to support partners with robust financial standing and a demonstrated history of successful delivery, while requiring the use of standardised, repeatable designs to lower costs and speed up project timelines.

For more information, please click here.

£500m Clyde Gateway Plan to Drive Innovation and Green Growth in Glasgow

Clyde Gateway has unveiled a £500m regeneration masterplan to transform over 100 hectares in Glasgow and South Lanarkshire into a hub for innovation and sustainability.   Announced at the UK Real Estate Investment & Infrastructure Forum, the ‘Clyde Gateway Innovation’ programme proposes 93,000m² of commercial and lab space, two hotels, and around 450 homes.  Backed by local councils, Scottish Enterprise, and the University of Strathclyde, the plan aims to attract investment and boost advanced manufacturing and life sciences employment. CEO Martin McKay described the initiative as a new chapter in Clyde Gateway’s regeneration efforts, combining commercial, residential and community-focused goals.

For more information, please click here.

Network Rail Property's £1bn plans to redevelop Liverpool Street Station

Following criticism from heritage campaigners over Herzog & de Meuron's 2023 plans, a new planning application led by architect Acme has been submitted to the City of London for the redevelopment of Liverpool Street Station.  It is expected that the scheme will take eight years to build and will introduce a 21-storey office building above the station's main entrance.

Newly revealed imaes of the entrance show a significant departure from the previous design, with a focus on reflecting the station’s Victorian architecture to preserve its heritage.  Despite this, the new plans have still attracted objection from the Victorian Society in relation to the over-station office tower which is being used to fund improvements to the rest of the station.

Currently the busiest station in the UK, with around 118 million people passing through each year, it is thought that the redevelopment will increase this number to serve more than 200 million.

Click here to read more.

Commons committee raises concern over building safety and remediation under BSA 2022

The House of Commons Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee (the Committee) has raised concerns over the Government's response to the Grenfell Tower fire and broader building safety issues.  In a letter to the Government, the Committee called for independent oversight of inquiry recommendations.  Key concerns include a shortage of fire safety professionals and qualified building control, delays in Building Safety Regulator (BSR) approvals, and uncertain plans for a single construction regulator.

The Committee also identified the need for potential legislation to enforce remediation on mid-rise buildings and questioned the impact of the forthcoming Building Safety Levy on housing supply. It urged funding for Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs), expressing concern that vulnerable residents may not be protected.  Further, it challenged the absence of sprinkler requirements in existing care homes and emphasised that leaseholders must be better protected from remediation costs. The Committee has requested a response from the Government by 22 July 2025.

Click here to read more.

With thanks to Kalia Shellard, Victoria Sessions and Sikander Azam.

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.