Wates

Plans have been submitted for a major £263m film and TV studio complex in central Bedfordshire. The scheme will see a former clay extraction works redeveloped into the largest newbuild film studio in the UK, combining 1.7 million square feet of studio space with hotel accommodation, set storage and a…

Changes to building safety rules represent a chance for the construction sector to reach its best standards, the interim chief executive of Wates has said. Philip Wainwright told Construction News the industry is facing an “an ever-increasing regulatory environment”, in terms of both the push for net zero and safety…

Wates Property Services has been named on a £250m building repairs framework. Equans Regeneration and United Living are also among the 97 suppliers who won spots on the framework managed by the framework provider Fusion21. Wates, Equans and United Living have all landed places on three lots – those covering…

Wates has won a £53m refurbishment and extension contract for a Grade II-listed office in the City of London. The contractor will carry out work on 41 Lothbury, a former headquarters of Natwest bank that is situated close to the Bank of England. The job will include the building of…

Several of the UK’s top contractors will limit work or completely shut sites during the Queen’s funeral next week. Earlier this week, the Construction Leadership Council told firms that there was no obligation on them to suspend business during the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, as per government guidance. It…

Lendlease was the contractor with which the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) spent the most money in the last financial year, Construction News can reveal. Figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act show the Australian-owned multinational topped the government body’s spending in 2021/22 with £149.5m – double the next best-placed…

Reduced working hours, more breaks and alcohol warnings are among the measures being introduced by contractors this week as the UK braces for record temperatures. The Met Office issued an “exceptional” weather warning for the temperatures on Monday and Tuesday, when the temperature in southern England is expected to reach…

Wates Group has announced the departure of its chief executive, David Allen. In a statement, the £1.63bn-turnover contractor said Allen will be replaced on an interim basis by chief financial officer Philip Wainwright, pending the appointment of a permanent successor. Allen joined Wates in January 2016 as its chief financial…

Developer British Land has been given the green light for its £3.5bn Printworks scheme at Canada Water. Southwark Council has voted unanimously to approve the scheme which is a joint venture between the council and the developer. It will see the construction of over 3,000 new net-zero homes and up…

Wates was helped to the top of the June league tables by securing a £250m contract to upgrade a series of UK prisons. The contractor was one of two firms that secured spots on a £500m contract to construct six new housing blocks at half a dozen prisons, according to…