The Ministry of Justice has awarded an enabling works contract for a planned £236m prison near Leyland, Lancashire, as part of its Alliance 4 New Prisons programme. The scheme, which has planning permission, is intended to provide around 1,700 prison places and includes associated buildings and site works, while a separate £110m package will fund prison conversions and land acquisition for future capacity.
A Construction Employers Federation survey reports that inflationary pressures are again weighing heavily on Northern Ireland construction firms, with 45% citing price rises as a serious financial concern. The sector also highlighted stagnant or falling margins, rising material costs and wider policy issues including budget uncertainty, housing supply constraints and planning reform.
Lewisham Council has appointed The Hill Group as strategic development partner for a housing and regeneration programme worth up to £1.5bn. The 10-year agreement, which may be extended by five years, is intended to speed delivery across multiple sites while the council retains control over site selection, timings and major delivery decisions.
