The Week That Was - 30 May 2025

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

Barratt set to build 728 Passivhaus homes across London

Barratt London has announced plans to build an initial 728 sustainable homes across two schemes in High Barnet (300 homes) and Acton (455 homes), in what is believed to be the largest Passivhaus rollout in the country.  These Lo-E Homes will meet and exceed Passivhaus, a standard for comfortable, climate-resilient and low-energy buildings.

These new Lo-E Homes were created by a team of experts, comprising Passivhaus designers and building physicists Beyond Carbon, and are designed to be able to handle future heatwave conditions, like those experienced in July 2022.  The design of these homes will limit heat from solar gain through the use of triple-glazed Passivhaus windows and climate-resilient air tempering.

Barratt claims that a typical resident would save around two-thirds on heating bills compared to today's district heating system.

To read more, please click here.

Leicester waterways regeneration

Keepmoat, a housing developer, has been working with Leicester City Council to redevelop 17 acres of brownfield land near the Grand Union Canal and River Soar. 

Keepmoat plans to deliver 350 energy-efficient homes by the end of 2026.  The project also includes flood protection measures, improved access to the canal and river, and enhancements to biodiversity.

To read more, please click here.

Call for national licensing scheme for retrofit contractors

The House of Commons Energy Security and Net Zero (ESNZ) Select Committee has recommended the introduction of a licensing scheme for retrofit contractors. The recommendation is included in the ESNZ Committee's report on Retrofitting Homes for Net Zero, and comes in the wake of the Grenfell inquiry.

The recommendation has received support from the Federation of Master Builders which is concerned with improving standards in the building industry.  Such a scheme would help protect both traders and consumers, and is likely to be greeted positively by residential customers in particular.

Click here to read the full report.

Bank of England flags up refurbishment plan for Threadneedle Street site

The Bank of England has released four pipeline notices for work at its historic Threadneedle Street site in the City of London, which is one of the City's most significant architectural landmarks and has been home to the Bank of England since 1732. 

A main works contract for up to £120m plus VAT is expected to start in October 2026 and run for just over three years, concluding in December 2029.  While a spokesperson for the Bank said it could not confirm the exact scope of work, a tender is expected to be released in December this year.

The other pipeline notices released on 22 May cover:

• Early stage enabling refurbishment and overhaul work - £8m contract
• Mechanical, electrical and plumbing works - £5m contract
• Building fabric works - £5m contract

To read more, please click here.

Insolvent parties reminded of the need to provide significant security to enforce an adjudicator's decision

In Midas Construction Ltd (in Liquidation) v Harmsworth Pension Funds Trustees Ltd [2025] EWHC 1122 (TCC), the court considered the appropriate security for costs for enforcing an adjudicator's decision in favour of an insolvent company.

Harmsworth Pension Funds Trustees Ltd (Harmsworth) engaged Midas Construction Limited (Midas) as its Sub-Contractor and a payment dispute arose between the parties over the amount to be paid to Midas following its insolvency and contract termination. 

Midas successfully referred the dispute to adjudication and the adjudicator ordered Harmsworth to pay the sum claimed to Midas.  Harmsworth did not pay the sums ordered and Midas sought to enforce the adjudicator's decision in the High Court.

In the enforcement proceedings, the Judge ordered security for costs, disagreeing with Midas' argument that security should be assessed in stages on the basis that such decision would prejudice Harmsworth. 

This case demonstrates the balance to be struck between an insolvent company's right to pursue adjudication claims and the need to protect responding parties from the risk of being unable to recover costs if they successfully challenge the adjudicator's decision in subsequent proceedings. 

You can read the full judgment here.

Grenfell refurb main contractor sees first sales growth since 2019

Rydon Group, the main contractor that was responsible for refurbishing Grenfell Tower, has now confirmed its return to sales growth. 

The repair and maintenance specialist's turnover for the year to 30 September 2024 rose by 28% to £61m following four consecutive years of declining revenue since it posted a turnover of £227.1m in 2019.

In its latest accounts, Rydon said it is a member of the Responsible Actors Scheme and a signatory to the Developer Remediation Contract.  Rydon confirmed that "Through this scheme Rydon has invested heavily in building-safety liability costs with a spend of £27m on remediation work.  As a result, the group is well advanced in terms of remediating the buildings it is deemed responsible for."

To read more, please click here.

With thanks to Laura Sponti, Arthur Prideaux, and Tess Turner.

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.