Wates wins £22m regen

Wates Construction has fought off stiff competition to become preferred bidder on a £22m housing renewal contract in east Manchester.

The contract is part of a huge £60m urban regenerationpackage, which will see the area transformed by new schools, community facilities and the upgrade of 3,000 council homes.

Wates beat off: Bethel Building Services; Lovell Partnership; G&J Seddon; Gleeson; and Bullock Construction. The five-year contract covers 1,270 homes in the Clayton area of Manchester and will involve the provision of new kitchens and windows and repairs to brickwork, roofs and boundary walls.

Manchester City Council is due to award preferred bidder status for a second housing renewal contract worth £38m, which covers Beswick and Openshaw.

The shortlisted bidders are: Bramhall Construction; Connaught Property Services; P Casey and Co; Richardson Projects; City Works (Manchester Council DLO); and Henry Boot. Sources say it is a two-horse race between City Works and P Casey and Co.

The preferred bidder is expected to be announced by the end of the month.