In brief

Balfour at financial close on £125m hospitalBalfour Beatty's Consort Healthcare group has reached financial close on a £125m deal to build the new Blackburn Hospital for East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust. Construction will take three years.Brum council invites £56m schools PFI bidsBirmingham City Council has launched a £56m private finance project to rebuild eight schools and refurbish five others. Firms have until 15 August to express an interest in the scheme.Partner sought for capital projectsNorthumberland County Council is seeking a construction partner to carry out capital projects on its schools and social services buildings. The three-year contract is worth between £2m and £18m a year.Black & Veatch acquires Lewin, Fryer Hampton-based consulting engineering practice Lewin, Fryer & Partners has been bought by Black & Veatch Consulting for an undisclosed sum.Interserve negotiates £50m DWP contractInterserve has negotiated a £50m deal with the Department of Work & Pensions at Newcastle upon Tyne. Over the next three years, Interserve will build four office blocks at the client's Longbenton complex.Government gives wind farms green lightThe government has given the green light for the construction of enough offshore wind farms to power 15% of UK homes, which could result in an estimated investment of up to 6bn and the creation of 30,000 jobs.Contractors to pitch for £54m schools PFIRedcar and Cleveland Borough Council is inviting contractors to pitch for a £54m PFI project to design, build, finance and operate five secondary and two primary schools.