NEWSBRIEF

ARUP SUES FOR UNPAID FEES

Consulting engineer Ove Arup is suing Clementine Investments of the British Virgin Islands, claiming that it is owed £352,500 in unpaid fees. Arup was engaged by Clementine to provide engineering services at the former Westminster Hospital site in Horseferry Road, London SW1. The writ claims that Arup provided services in accordance with its agreement but has not received payment.

WORK TO START ON £20M NCR PROJECT

Construction should start this month on a £20m research and development/administrative centre for NCR on a 2.5ha site close to its existing plant in Dundee. The 14,000m2 four-storey building will cater for more than 500 staff. NCR used consultancy High-Point Rendel to negotiate with the developer Balgarthno Estates. Contractor for the 62-week project is Hall & Tawse and architect is James F Stephen.

CHRISTMAS TREAT FOR STRADFORM

Contractor Stradform has been engaged to deliver a 43,500m2 storage and production facility on an industrial estate in Cwmbran, Wales, for Christmas decoration specialist Festive Productions to the tune of £3.2m.

HEATHFIELD PROMOTED TO CHAIRMAN

Bob Heathfield has been promoted to chairman of Ballast Wiltshier and will combine the new role together with his current position of chief executive. Heathfield became chief executive of Ballast Wiltshier following the acquisition of parts of the Wiltshier group by Dutch contractor Ballast Nedam. Heathfield also joins the management executive committee of the Dutch parent.

LUFF MOTORS ON

Luff Construction of Wokingham, Berkshire, has formed a partnership with csma (previously known as the Civil Service Motoring Association) to develop its leisure property strategy. Under the deal, csma Developments will administer the design, construction and development of up to five leisure complexes, each costing about £5m. The first scheme in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, is due to start in September.

MASTERPLAN WIN FROM PRP

PRP Architects has been appointed to undertake a masterplan for the redevelopment of 10ha of under-used land at Attwood Green, in Birmingham. The redevelopment by Birmingham City Council and Optima Community Association will look at options for transforming six run-down housing estates into a mixed-use scheme, comprising offices, shops, leisure facilities, a park and housing.

GLOOM AMONG ENGINEERING CONTRACTORS

The latest business trends survey from the Engineering Construction Industry Association for the first quarter of 2000 reveals a depressing picture with the volume of new orders falling for the 21st month in succession. New work abroad also dropped significantly. ECIA chief executive Brenig Williams said: "Employment levels continue to shrink and there is a lack of inward investment. Profit margins have persistently dropped in recent surveys but this quarter records the equal biggest fall in the history of the surveys."

PREFAB SPROUTS

The Housing Corporation is to give prefabrication a boost by allocating about £40m/year over the two financial years 2001-02 and 2002-03. Registered social landlords that want to become involved in the use of prefabrication techniques need to submit their plans in the forthcoming bidding round, which starts in August.