A £1.7bn project placing Wales at the forefront of renewable energy innovation has been revealed by an international consortium.

The ambitious project proposed for Swansea’s waterfront refloats stalled tidal lagoon renewable energy plans, featuring underwater turbines generating 320 megawatts from a 9.5km structure.

Blue Eden will be sited along an extensive area of land and water, south of the Prince of Wales Dock

It will also feature 1,500 waterfront homes as well as 150 floating homes in the bay, a major floating solar array and major battery storage facility.

The revived lagoon plan is part of the larger proposed Blue Eden project that’s being led by Bridgend-based DST Innovations and a number of business partners, with support from Swansea Council and Associated British Ports.

Made possible by funding from the private sector, the innovative and economy-boosting Blue Eden will be delivered in three phases over 12 years.

Blue Eden project

A 60,000 sq m manufacturing plant to make high-tech batteries for renewable energy storageA battery facility to store the renewable energy produced at Blue Eden and power the site. If constructed now, it would be the world’s largest facility of its kindA 72,000 sq  m floating solar array anchored in the Queen’s dock areaA 94,000 sq m data centre storing, processing and providing network capabilities for the critical servicesAn oceanic and climate change research centreFloating dome structures that will become cultural and scientific centres to be enjoyed by allResidential waterfront homes for 5,000 peopleAround 150 floating, highly energy-efficient eco-homes anchored in the water

All the project’s buildings and facilities, including the eco-homes, will be situated alongside the lagoon.

Renewable energy produced on site will power the entire Blue Eden development, including businesses and homes.

Due to the innovation on-site, each home will have up to 20 years’ renewable energy and heat provision included with the sale of the properties.

Tony Miles, Co-founder and Chief Executive of DST Innovations, said: “Blue Eden is an opportunity to create a template for the world to follow – utilising renewable energy and maximising new technologies and thinking to develop not only a place to live and work, but also to thrive.”

The project has been developed following discussions based on a vision put forward by a regional task force led by Swansea Council.

Cllr Rob Stewart, Swansea Council Leader, said: “Blue Eden will put Swansea and Wales at the cutting-edge of global renewable energy innovation, helping create thousands of well-paid jobs, significantly cut our carbon footprint and further raise Swansea’s profile across the world as a place to invest.

“I’m delighted that an international consortium led by a Welsh company has developed our Dragon Energy Island vision into a ground-breaking project that delivers so many benefits and builds on the council’s ambition to become a net zero city by 2050.

“This project truly is a game-changer for Swansea, its economy and renewable energy in the UK, and crucially it can be delivered without the need for government subsidies.”

Andrew Harston, Director of Wales and Short Sea Ports for ABP, said: “We are engaged in discussions around the Blue Eden project which could deliver renewable energy, new homes and skilled jobs. This innovative prototype has the potential to be a first for the UK and bring Britain closer to our net zero target.”

Subject to planning consent, Blue Eden work on site could start by early 2023.

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Subcontractors and suppliers across the North West are braced to lose millions after the company behind the 16-storey Natex student accommodation scheme in Liverpool fell into administration.

Mount Group Student Natex was developing the £45m scheme which was due for completion in December.

The company is now in the hands of administrators Mazars but the wider Mount Group remains unaffected.

Mount Group Student Natex was incorporated in 2016 and work started on the 574-bed scheme in 2019 with Manchester based Barton PM as management contractor.

Mazars told the Liverpool Echo: “The administrators are presently assessing the financial position of the company with a view to determining the optimal strategy for the completion of the development.

“The company’s financial position has been adversely affected by delays and increased costs resulting from, among other factors, the Covid-19 pandemic and supply chain issues associated with the pandemic and Brexit.”

One local subcontractor told the Enquirer: “Payments have been delayed for ages on this job and suppliers are owed millions.”

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Regulators at the Financial Reporting Council have launched an investigation into the auditing of nmcn by accountant BDO.

The probe will examine consolidated financial statements of the contractor for the year ended 31 December 2019.

BDO resigned as nmcn’s auditor in July 2020 after ten years in the role.

Results for 2019 showed increases in pre-tax profit to £10.3m on turnover up at £404m.

But within 18 months estimated losses had hit £43m leading to the contractor’s fall into administration earlier this month owing suppliers more than £60m.

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BAM Nuttall has promoted Richard Prime to become managing director of Major Projects.

Prime, who has been with the firm for 20 years, fills the role vacated by Ian Parish who stepped up to become interim MD last month.

The board rejig follows the departure of Adrian Savory, BAM Nuttall’s chief executive last month after just 14 in the top job after around 26 years with BAM Nuttall.

Prime , who was previously divisional director of major projects, will lead BAM Nuttall’s teams, working in collaboration, to design and build infrastructure projects like HS2 main works and the Silvertown Tunnel in London.

The management line-up at BAM Nuttall is: Ian Parish (MD), Martin Bellamy (MD, Regions), Alan Cox (MD, Transport), Richard Prime, (MD, Major Projects), Ian Phillpot (Finance Director), Richard Reddell (Commercial Director), Richard Lewis (People and Performance Director) and David McGowan (Business Excellence Director).

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The bid race has started for places on procurement body YORbuild’s minor works framework, expected to account for £120m of spending over the next four years.

The third generation framework will align with the Government Construction Playbook and the Value Toolkit due to be launched by the Construction Innovation Hub later this year.

It is being divided into two regional lots covering the north east and north west of Yorkshire, with each region spilt into three project type lots.

YORbuild 3 minor works lots

North West Yorkshire

Work up to £1m, total value £36mProjects £1-£4m, total value £20mNew housing up to 25 units, total value £12m

North East Yorkshire

Work up to £1m, total value £24mProjects £1-£4m, total value £16mNew housing up to 25 units, total value £12m

Around a dozen firms will be appointed to each lot.

This time around during saelection greater emphasis will be placed on MMC/off-site solutions, carbon reduction/ net zero targets and a more enhanced sustainability offer.

It will run for four years with an option to extend for a further period of two years to allow the appointed contractors adequate time to recoup their significant initial investment.

Tenders are to be returned by 17 December for evaluation with the new line-up of firms expected to be announced in summer 2022.

To submit an interest click here.

Morgan Sindall has developed a remote internal building performance home monitoring system that could revolutionise social housing repairs and upkeep.

The goldeni (pronounced golden eye) system developed by data scientists working for Morgan Sindall Property Services hooks up with commercially available ‘Internet of things’ sensors to provide real-time data about the health of a building and internal environment of individual tenants’ homes.

It can identify water leaks in real-time, and spots when a boiler needs to be serviced so that preventative action can be taken before a problem escalates.

The Goldeni software-based cloud platform collects temperature, air pressure, light levels, humidity and carbon dioxide data, as well as monitoring heating systems and electricity and gas consumption.

Morgan Sindall estimates that by helping landlords and tenants identify potential maintenance issues before they occur and remediate leaks before they escalate, goldeni could help the country’s social housing landlords potentially save over £550m per year.

Morgan Sindall’s software compiles the data to provides social housing landlords and tenants with clear, practical actions for more effective home operation.

For example, from collected ventilation data, goldeni can recommend opening more windows to ensure homes are less susceptible to mould.

By tracking which homes are using central heating too often or too little, goldeni can also help users identify properties that are in fuel poverty or requiring additional insulation.

John Morgan, Chief Executive of the Morgan Sindall Group said: “The launch of goldeni, our first technological innovation for the sector, represents an important milestone not just for Morgan Sindall but also for social housing as a whole.

“By giving clues to potential issues within homes even before they occur, it can help those living in social housing have healthier, safer, more energy efficient homes, as well as saving social housing providers costs.”

“While we’re initially focusing on social housing, its ability to provide an instant overview of a building’s health in real-time means that goldeni would just be as useful for commercial and private residential property owners as well, and that’s something we’ll be looking to roll out in the future.”

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HGV drivers employed by Hanson have accepted an improved pay deal and dropped their threat of strike action.

More than 200 drivers employed by the company had overwhelmingly voted for industrial action in a dispute over pay which threatened to intensify industry cement shortages.

A new pay and conditions offer has now been accepted by the drivers following negotiations led by Unite.

Drivers will get:

A 2.75 % increase on all pay rates and allowances backdated to 1 January 2021A 3.25 % increase on all pay rates and allowances to be paid from 1 January 2022An increase in the overnight allowance to £42 per night from 1 October 2021A commitment to transform bank holiday working, with drivers informed in advance and volunteers used where possibleMental health awareness delivered jointly by Hanson management and Unite shop stewards to be concluded by first quarter of 2022A joint working agreement between Hanson and Unite including joint training from April 2022Management to share fleet replacement programme with drivers

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Our members at Hanson have demonstrated that by standing together they have secured significant improvements on pay and conditions.

“That is an example to all our union members. All employers also have to understand that Unite is absolutely determined to make sure that workers do not pay the price for the pandemic.”

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Developer Conygar has submitted redrawn plans for phase 1B of Nottingham’s biggest regeneration scheme for decades, The Island Quarter scheme.

The proposals – which were initially submitted in January – include a 223-room hotel, 247 flats and an extensive food and beverage area in a 100m long forum.

As well as improving ventilation and access routes to the building, the changes build in extra flexibility during the construction process to face industry challenges, such as material shortages and labour availability.

Phase 1B hotel building for operator IHG’s Hotel Indigo and Staybridge Suites brands

Tom Huffsmith, of Conygar, said: “Throughout the last year, we have worked closely with our design team to ensure that the plans for The Island Quarter have constantly been updated to meet the changing needs of a post-pandemic world.

“These alterations to 1B reflect those made to the overall masterplan for the site, which has been reimagined to include more green space, better routes for pedestrians and cyclists, and a focus on intergenerational living.

“1B is going to be a truly iconic building for the city, and we’re working closely with Nottingham City Council to ensure the plans will be approved and progress can continue to be made on this important site.”

David Jones, director at planning consultant AXIS, said: “While these changes will bring a positive impact to both the useability and buildability of 1B, the design intent is very much the same. The functions of the building itself remain as they were in the original planning submission – 1B will be a real flagship for The Island Quarter.

“The design changes are indicative of the impact of the pandemic, which is reflected more widely in Leonard Design and Studio Egret West’s emerging masterplan for the site as a whole.”

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An electrical engineer was killed on Sunday morning after being hit by a car while working on a pavement site for North West Electricity in Rochdale.

A second man working with the victim was also seriously injured by the car, which ploughed off the road into the streetworks site.

Greater Manchester Police said that emergency services attended the scene at 11.47am on Featherstall Road in Littleborough to find two electrical engineers who had been working on the pavement were found seriously injured.

The police said that despite the very best efforts of emergency services, one man in his 30s was later pronounced dead at the scene and the second man in his 20s was taken to hospital in a serious condition.

Initial enquiries established that a vehicle had come off the road and collided with the victims. No arrests have been made.

GMPs Tactical Commander, Superintendent Arif Nawaz, said: “This has been a terrible incident and our thoughts are very much with the family and friends who have lost their loved one in tragic circumstances.

“As a result of this incident, around 2000 homes and businesses in the area were without electricity for around four hours and a major incident response was declared.”

All 33 of the London’s local authorities have signed up to a net zero carbon route map to retrofit 3.8m homes across all tenures in the capital to achieve an average EPC B rating by 2030.

The plan, which will be revealed in detail at the end of this month ahead of the Government spending review, could bring about a £98bn investment in the green economy in London, say councils.

The Retrofit London Housing Action Plan has been developed by the London Housing Directors’ Group with support from the London Environment Directors’ Network, the GLA, and Enfield and Waltham Forest as lead boroughs.

London boroughs are urging ministers to increase local government’s resources for this work.

They want the government to use the upcoming Spending Review to release £30m of funding for the next phase of the UK Cities Climate Investment Commission work.

Councils argue this is necessary to unlock over £200bn of private investment for delivering net zero across the UK’s 12 biggest cities.

The group also wants to see fresh financial incentives to encourage private retrofitting, such as green mortgages offering lower rates and a variable Stamp Duty Land Tax for more energy-efficient homes.

Key principles going forward

• Boroughs need to retrofit their own stock of 390,000 council homes and facilitate retrofit on the whole housing stock across London’s 3.8m homes.

• Planning decisions and guidance should support low-carbon retrofit activity, particularly in finding innovative ways to address the retrofit challenge in conservation areas.

• London needs to move away rapidly from gas heating.

• Boroughs will work collectively to develop skills and procurement models that can build capacity within the sector

The cross-party group London Councils warns the country’s retrofit market is highly unstable after serial failures of past green initiatives to tackle housing carbon emissions.

The National Audit Office slammed delivery standards in the government’s £1.5bn Green Homes Grant scheme as “rushed” and noted the scheme’s design failed to “sufficiently understand the challenges”.

Launched in September 2020 and scrapped in March 2021, the scheme was set up to help homeowners retrofit and insulate their homes.

It warns the industry cannot see a rerun of u-turns on the delivery of the £3.8bn Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund and £2.5bn Home Upgrade Grant.

London Councils says that boroughs’ ambitions for retrofitting the capital rely on targeted government investment, facilitating new private financing opportunities, and encouraging funding by landlords and individual households.

Joanne Drew, Co-Chair of the London Housing Directors’ Group, said: “Boroughs are fully committed to the home retrofit agenda and are proud to pioneer a new collaborative approach.

“Our plan identifies the steps needed to turn ambition into reality, setting out the costs involved and measures we will take to work with residents and landlords.”