Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Ireland Construction News Archive for May 2010
28/05/2010
Planners have backed a massive new housing development near Coleraine. The site of the former Maxwells quarry and concrete batching plant at Bushmills Road, will be known as Lakeside and by the time it is completed will have cost in the region of £90m. With 'remodelling' of the former quarry floo
28/05/2010
Stunning three-dimensional technology is now available for organisations - including the construction sector, architects, investors, planners and surveyors - to aid their planning decisions. Taking advantage of the 3D moving 'maps' on a giant-sized screen and viewed through special, high-tech glass
28/05/2010
Phase one of a multi-million pound house construction and roads project in Co Antrim has begun. Details of the £400m 'Ballyclare West' scheme, which could mean the construction of more than 2,000 new homes in the area over the next 20 years, were first unveiled last August. Offering a much-needed
28/05/2010
A new company in Kilrea, Co Londonderry to market expert design, prototyping services and sub-contract fabrication to Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland. H360, a spin out business from SJC Hutchinson Engineering, is investing £400,000 and is planning to create six new jobs over the next thr
28/05/2010
Irish Enterprise Minister, Batt O'Keeffe has stressed the importance of innovation in Ireland's economic recovery during the launch of the OECD's Strategy for Innovation in Paris. Minister O'Keeffe was invited to address delegates at the launch by the OECD Director General, Angel Gurría. The strat
28/05/2010
Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has launched a report that reveals Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association (NIIRTA) convenience store members are spending £15million every year on energy costs. The report 'Energy Efficiency in Retailing', published by the Carbon Trust and NIIRTA, sa
28/05/2010
Despite the recession, a new hotel is to be built in a small town in Co Clare. Creating about 20 full and part-time jobs and producing 50 jobs during the construction phase, plans for a site in Sixmilebridge were approved by An Bord Pleanála ealier this month. An Bord Pleanála confirmed its decis
28/05/2010
All Your Tiling & Plumbing Needs is a Co Clare-based bathroom refurbishment company. The firm can add potential value to a property by providing a professional service with the best advice in renovating existing bathroom, en-suite or even installing a completely new bathroom in a home. From bathro
27/05/2010
Limerick County Council is now unable to give the 'green light' for construction to begin on Ballykeeffe Park, according to a newspaper report. While work was due to begin on the €2m project last year, the park is now "not on the agenda" the Limerick Post reports. Funds that were committed to the
27/05/2010
Social housing need across the island of Ireland can only be addressed by working together. That's according to the newly-appointed NI Social Development Minister Alex Atwood who made the comments at the annual two-day Conference of the Isles in Newcastle, Co Down, which was jointly hosted by the C
27/05/2010
A leading GAA Club has received planning permission from An Bord Pleanála for construction on a €20 million sports facility on a former college campus. The project will be built at the grounds of Chanel College, near Coolock village, north Dublin. Parnell's GAA club have envisage the project will
27/05/2010
A family-run food business in Co Armagh is set for a major fillip - and to provide a boost for the local construction industry as well. Chapman's of Armagh Road, Portadown is to invest £2.5m in its new 25,000 square feet food hall with employment increasing from 12 to 70 - on top of dozens of jobs
27/05/2010
Irish Energy Minister Eamon Ryan has welcomed the results of the SEAI's latest 'Electricity and Gas Prices In Ireland' report. The Eurostat data shows recent reductions in electricity and gas prices are bringing Ireland's energy costs closer in line with and, in some cases below European averages.
27/05/2010
Inner East Belfast has been boosted this week with the official opening of a new housing development of 27 family apartments at Pottinger's Quay in east Belfast. The homes, purchased by Clanmil Housing as part of the Laganside Corporation initiative, bring to completion the £10m regeneration of the
27/05/2010
Work has begun on an eight-screen, fully digital cinema in Larne. The £5 million 1,100-seater Omniplex is due to open in November, just five months after Asda opens a supermarket on the same Redlands site on June 7. Employing up to 40 staff, the Omniplex will feature a 300-seater main screen cinem
27/05/2010
A major refurbishment is to go ahead at a Co Antrim YMCA after NI Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane confirmed funding. She said that £350,000 was being made available for the YMCA Carrickfergus. The financial backing will enable the organisation, or CYM as it is known, to carry out a major refur
26/05/2010
A multi-million pound redevelopment of a run-down part of Belfast city centre has not been shelved, the Department of Social Development (DSD) has said. While Belfast City Council has just voiced its concern at reports that plans for the Royal Exchange Regeneration Scheme may be delayed, detailed p
26/05/2010
Cork City Council intends to grant planning permission for a proposal to build an €80m private hospital. The council recently confirmed it intended to give permission for the 93-bed hospital on Lancaster Quay on the Western Road, which will create up to 300 permanent jobs and a further 350 jobs dur
26/05/2010
The average house price in Northern Ireland rose modestly in the first quarter of this year - but any recovery in the market remains tentative - according to a new survey of house prices. The latest University of Ulster Quarterly House Price Index, produced in partnership with Bank of Ireland and
26/05/2010
Irish Environment Minister John Gormley has launched his department’s Architectural Heritage Survey of County Longford and the associated book, 'An Introduction to the Architectural Heritage of County Longford'. The survey informs recommendations from the Minister to Longford County Council for inc
26/05/2010
Dublin Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh has called on Irish Environment Minister John Gormley to abandon plans to punish families by introducing a charge for household water usage. His comments came after it was revealed that councils throughout the State have failed to collect charges from a majorit
26/05/2010
Clare County Council has issued a reminder to property owners affected by the Non Principal Private Residence (NPPR) scheme that the deadline for payment of the €200 charge for the year 2010 is June 30. The charge, which was introduced nationally in 2009, relates to people who own properties they d
26/05/2010
Sinn Féin MLA and member of the Department for Social Development (DSD) Committee, Fra McCann, has called on the NI Minister for Social Development, Alex Atwood to provide clarity in regards to the delays facing the Royal Exchange development in Belfast. Around £110 million has been withdrawn from
26/05/2010
NI Transport Minister, Conor Murphy, has addressed the 7th International Rail Forum in Spain. Speaking at the Forum, yesterday, the Minister said: "I welcome the opportunity to be in Valencia to speak about railway policy in the North of Ireland and how developing public transport can help to achi
26/05/2010
A Republic of Ireland energy firm will begin selling power to households in Northern Ireland from June. Airtricity will be the first company to compete with NIE Energy in the domestic electricity market. The Stormont Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster and Airtricty Managing Director, Kevin Greenho
25/05/2010
A Belfast-based construction company has been heavily fined after pleading guilty to deadly breaches of health and safety legislation. In a case brought against Fernwave Limited by the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) the business was fined £30,000 plus £1,700 costs. A rep
25/05/2010
The National Roads Authority (NRA) is in dispute with residents of a Co Meath town over the construction of a motorway, according to a newspaper report. The NTA removed a cycle lane and hard shoulder from the old Dublin-Navan road as part of the M3 motorway construction in Dunshaughlin but did not
25/05/2010
There's a major construction project on the way in Co Londonderry with news that the Northern Regional College (NRC) is planning to build a new college in Coleraine. According to a new consultation document outlining NRC plans up to 2016, the Coleraine and Ballymoney campuses will be replaced by on
25/05/2010
The Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association (NIRTA) has expressed concern that the Department of Social Development has withdrawn £110 million of funding for Belfast City Centre's Royal Exchange as a result of budget cuts. Glyn Roberts, NIIRTA Chief Executive said: "As an organisatio
25/05/2010
Instability in the local commercial property market has prompted a delay in a planned revaluation of business properties. To allow time for the market to recover, NI Finance Minister Sammy Wilson has announced his decision not to proceed with the revaluation of non-domestic properties, planned for
25/05/2010
An attack on a NI Housing Executive sub-contractor as he carried out work at a house in the Galliagh area of Londonderry has been condemned. The workman, who works for Omega Maintenance, was securing a flat that had been burgled at Altcar Park when three men assaulted him in the early hours of Mond
25/05/2010
The Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Local Government, Martin Ferris has demanded that local authorities pursue property developers who owe more than €420 million in unpaid levies. The Kerry North TD was responding to a newspaper report detailing the extent to which councils around the country are in seve
25/05/2010
Irish Energy Minister Eamon Ryan has announced the Irish Government's new support price structure for bio-energy i.e. use of natural materials for the production of electricity. The guaranteed support price (REFIT) will range from 15 cent per kilowatt hour to 8.5 cent an hour depending on the techn
24/05/2010
There has been a call to kick-start construction work across NI with the SDLP Equality Spokesperson Dolores Kelly urging Stormont Deputy First Minster Martin McGuinness to explain thousands of planning applications "pile up in a backlog". Asking why the 'PPS21' applications have "been lying on his
24/05/2010
The SDLP's Alex Attwood has taken control of housing matters in NI - an occasion marked by a visit today to the newly regenerated Bass Brewery site in west Belfast. Mr Attwood took over from Margaret Ritchie today as the new minister for Social Development at Stormont, following a post-election re
24/05/2010
The Department of Environment has recently sanctioned a €7m refurbishment grant to be used to renovate social houses in Dublin city. The empty properties include a selection of apartments, flats and houses on the north and south side of the city. The city council is preparing to start spending the
24/05/2010
There's a £1million refurbishment and restoration project underway in Co Antrim. It has begun at Lisburn Cathedral, the oldest and one of the most recognisable buildings in the City. Phase one of the refurbishment has already begun and will include the repair of the spire, replacement of the weath
24/05/2010
An alternative to the A5 road scheme has been presented with the 'Tyrone railroad' from Dungannon to Londonderry proposed to provide a sustainable alternative to the proposed A5 western transport corridor. That was the message from those opposed to the A5 plans and local railway enthusiasts at a re
24/05/2010
The Stormont Transport Minister Conor Murphy, has just announced the publication of a consultation report on his proposals to reform the public transport system. The Minister said: "Following the completion of an extensive consultation exercise, I am pleased to present this report. "The reform pr
24/05/2010
A novel method of addressing a housing shortage in east Belfast has been suggested. Robin Newton the local DUP MLA and Stormont Junior Minister has called on Belfast City Council to urgently take action on the development for two vacant sites in East Belfast. "Currently there are two vacant sites
24/05/2010
The make-up of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive board has been announced. The ex-NI Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie revealed the appointments after a public appointments competition, and said that three board members have been appointed for a five year term from 1 June. The new
21/05/2010
The construction of many hundreds more houses is on the agenda for Northern Ireland. That's according to the NI Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie who has been speaking about the challenges and opportunities facing local housing associations during a conference hosted by the University of
21/05/2010
There are renewed doubts being expressed on a proposed new school project for the Strabane area. Although new primary schools were originally planned for Ballykelly and Artigarvan, the Education Minister, Catriona Ruane is now less sure that the new-build for Artigarvan is to proceed. The shock ne
21/05/2010
Architectural excellence has been recognised this week with news that three NI buildings have been honoured by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). Awards for architectural excellence were given to the teams behind Downe Hospital in Downpatrick, Kevin Kahan Salon in Bangor and St Malac
21/05/2010
Training experts from an international construction sector consultancy have been officially certified to deliver environmental auditor training courses throughout Ireland. WYG Training - part of the WYG Group - has been accredited to deliver the Internal Environmental Management Systems (EMS) Audit
21/05/2010
As Belfast's iconic Lyric Theatre continues its run of plays in its temporary home at the Elmwood Hall, a major milestone has (literally - given the literary inscription) been passed. The laying of the original Lyric Theatre's foundation stone in the new theatre, (also being built on the original R
21/05/2010
It's out with the old and in with the new in north Belfast as nearly 300 homes are to be demolished for redevelopment. The good news for the building trade comes at an opportune moment, as there's other views being expressed this week that the workload of construction firms in Northern Ireland is a
21/05/2010
This week's news of a boost for north Belfast's housing has been welcomed - while the Housing Minister has at the same time been accused of failing to meet local people on the matter. Sinn Féin MLA for North Belfast and member of the DSD spokesperson Carál Ní Chuilín has welcomed the announcement t
21/05/2010
There have been numerous complaints from businesses about the NI Water billing service. Problems with this basic utility are plaguing traders - inlcuding those in the construction sector. SDLP Upper Bann MLA Dolores Kelly made the claim when she said: "Apart from the large amounts of money people
20/05/2010
There have been further fines over illegal dumping as the NI Department of the Environment continues to get tough on the issue. Two south Down building contractor brothers were made the subject of confiscation orders of £10,000 each at Newry Crown Court for illegal waste offences this week. John T
20/05/2010
Water is again in focus this week as the NI Environment Minister Edwin Poots has launched a Partnership Agreement between the Association of Rivers Trusts and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency. In the same week as the multi-million pound Belfast Sewer Project was officially opened, the new Ri
20/05/2010
Solar energy has received a boost today with news of a £47m expansion by a company specialising in the renewable energy sector. The phased expansion, by Kingspan Renewables Ltd, aims to create 163 new jobs over the next five years. It was announced this week by NI Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster
20/05/2010
A multi-million pound project to completely rebuild and extend Belfast's previous Victorian sewage system has been completed. The Sewers Project - which cost £160m - was officially opened by the NI Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy who 'launched' the major stormwater pumping station to mar
20/05/2010
An application for 15 departments in Broughshane has been pulled from the planning schedule to allow the applicant to enter an amended design. A Public Sector Liaison Committee meeting at Ballymena Council earlier this month saw members told that the application for 15 apartments to be built at the
20/05/2010
Plans to rejuvenate Carlow town centre have been outlined. Donnybrook Properties has revealed that plans are afoot to have the new development open for business by Christmas 2011. Images depicting how the site will look like when it has been completed have been released and Mr Duigan said talks ar
20/05/2010
It has been revealed that wastewater treatment works are likely to expand to full capacity at Ringsend. This is following an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) by Dublin City Council (DCC) announced last week. Environmental Impact Assessment by DCC now looks set to advise extension of treatment
20/05/2010
An Irish business development body has announced it is to invest up to €175,000 in five North/South company-to-company research and development (R&D) partnerships. InterTradeIreland has encouraged companies from across the island of Ireland to take advantage of its Innova programme - by Friday 4t
19/05/2010
Close to £12.5m has been spent on redeveloping the site of the former Maze Prison, it has emerged. Since its final closure, a planned development corporation was supposed to consider options regarding the future of the site, but that hasn't happened, even though, last year, the then Sports Minister
19/05/2010
There was a fillip this week for Northern Ireland's house sales market with the launch of new online sales facility. Almost £1 million has been invested in atatouch.com, which is said to put property owners in 'control of buying and selling their homes' for less than what is being charged on the hi
19/05/2010
There's been a call for the Irish Government to re-employ redundant apprentices to develop new visitor and tourist attractions in order to give much-needed work to hundreds of young people over the next two years. The trade union SIPTU came up with the innovative proposal that would allow those dis
19/05/2010
Builders could be 'dancing on ice' soon if a planned private sector proposal to build a full-sized ice rink in Co Down gets the go-ahead. The initiative seeks to build at Bridgewater Park, Banbridge and has already been given the backing of Banbridge District Council. The investors behind this pro
19/05/2010
A modern building, showcasing Carlow county's rich past is on the way with recent news of a planned project to construct a new Carlow County Museum. Last month, Carlow Town Council appointed Bam Building Ltd of Kill, Co Kildare as the main contractor on the project. The council said that the museu
19/05/2010
There's renewed confidence in the housing market apparent in Northern Ireland this week with the launch of a new estate agent - with backing by Belfast's Lord Mayor and local MP. Propertyhop is opening eight offices in prime locations across the province with the new residential sales and lettings
19/05/2010
Despite the economic downturn, roads projects are still being constructed. The NI Transport Minister Conor Murphy has this week welcomed the successful completion of Roads Service's 2009/2010 programme of works and the planned £1.8million for structural maintenance in the North Down area this year.
19/05/2010
The public are being invited to get 'hands on' with historic building work through a series of events organised by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA). It is encouraging the public to visit some of Northern Ireland’s most striking historical sites and monuments to take part in 'Archaeol
19/05/2010
There's been a major step-forward in an international project to connect the North West to the USA. Derry's SDLP Foyle MLA, Mark Durkan has warmly greeted the news that the Department for Social Development (DSD) has now officially handed over the Project Kelvin Telehouse to Hibernia Atlantic who w
18/05/2010
Around 100 construction jobs will be created if an imaginative Co Londonderry museum scheme eventually gets the green light. Although Lottery funds have been refused, Coleraine Borough Council is hoping to proceed anyway after it lodged an initial Planning Application for the prestigious Market Yar
18/05/2010
Bowen Construction has reported a 9% growth in profits for its operations last year. The Cork-based company has announced that turnover last year was down over 30% on 2008 at €140m. Bowen's costs fell roughly in line with its turnover, leaving it with €4.9 million in operating profits in 2009, ahe
18/05/2010
Staff at the NI Housing Executive in Londonderry fear jobs may be lost if another company is brought in to refurbish homes in the Creggan area of the city, the BBC reports. Union officials claim 55 properties could be handed over to a housing association for renovation. The officials said the exec
18/05/2010
A quarrying business in Co Fermanagh and Tyrone is to expand after its new owners promised investment. Just six months after anticipated closure at Tarmac Ltd, which was to shut down operations at Carn Quarry in Ederney as well as at Dunaree near Drumquin, the news is now much more promising. McCa
18/05/2010
SDLP Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Tommy Gallagher has said he will oppose any cuts to planning services that will see 37 posts at Planning Services in Omagh and Enniskillen relocated to Belfast. He said: "The minister and his officials are trying to dress this up as a redeployment exercise to pl
18/05/2010
SDLP East Derry MLA John Dallat has welcomed the response to his Assembly Question from the Regional Development Minister that there will be a review of financial assistance available for rural homes not served by a water mains. Mr Dallat said: "Regrettably there are still several rural areas which
18/05/2010
UUP East Londonderry MLA, David McClarty has condemned the ongoing vandalism at the site of the new West Bann Community Centre in the Heights area of Coleraine. "I am deeply concerned at the reports of ongoing vandalism at the site of the new West Bann Community Centre in Coleraine," he said. "The
18/05/2010
NI Transport Minister Conor Murphy has welcomed the successful completion of Roads Service's 2009/2010 programme of works and the planned £3.4million for structural road maintenance in the Omagh area this year. "A range of local schemes have been delivered successfully by Roads Service in the past
17/05/2010
Hundreds of jobs are likely in Co Antrim as the City of Lisburn revealed major building plans for apartments, offices, restaurants and a hotel in the city centre last week. Architects Colin Gibson and Peter Minnis from Todd Architects and developers Killultagh Properties attended a meeting of Lisbu
17/05/2010
Irish Minister for Trade and Commerce, Billy Kelleher has turned the sod on a new €800,000 Community Enterprise Centre at the Kilmallock Business Park in Co. Limerick. The Minister also announced the doubling in size of the Shannon Development-owned Kilmallock Business Park. Speaking at the launch
17/05/2010
A leading property developer has ended his legal challenge to a new planning framework for the north coast of Northern Ireland. Seymour Sweeney, owner of Seaport Developments, had initiated High Court challenges to the Draft Northern Area Plan (DNAP). Mr Sweeney has now withdrawn from the two judi
17/05/2010
Irish Tánaiste and Education Minister, Mary Coughlan recently opened Newbridge Educate Together - a new 16-classroom school at the Curragh, Co. Kildare. The former Sundai Ireland International Japanese School in Newbridge was converted to provide accommodation for Newbridge Educate Together and Gae
17/05/2010
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams said that the Irish Government has "failed the people" and lambasted Brian Cowen's suggestion that there were no warnings about the collapse of the property market. Speaking in Dublin where he attended a meeting of the party's Ard Comhairle, Mr Adams said a "radical
17/05/2010
The revamped Ulster Museum has been nominated for the UK's largest single arts prize. The shortlist for the £100,000 Art Fund Prize 2010 incorporates a wide range of museums that have seen major redevelopments over the past year. The Ulster Museum will go up against the Ashmolean Museum, Blists Hi
17/05/2010
A west Belfast school has been extensively damaged following an arson attack over the weekend. CCTV footage captured the culprit setting a fire to the oratory of St Mary's Christian Brothers School on Saturday evening. Police are now searching for the arsonist. The assembly hall was also damaged
17/05/2010
SDLP East Derry constituency worker Roisin Loftus has promised to make tackling litter problems in rural areas a top priority as she replaces John Dallat as the party's councillor for Coleraine Borough. Mr Dallat resigned from Coleraine Borough Council to focus on his Assembly work as Deputy Speake
14/05/2010
An arson-hit Co Antrim primary school is to rebuilt. NI Education Minister Caitríona Ruane has given approval to the £3.6 million project for Whitehouse Primary School. The Newtownabbey facility was destroyed following an arson attack in July 2009. While plans for a new school were already advanc
14/05/2010
A new medical block in Letterkenny General Hospital is on schedule for completion later this year, it has been confirmed. The Health Service Executive (HSE) has said the €22m, four-storey building, located behind the existing hospital, is expected to be completed by early December and ready for occ
14/05/2010
A new €3.1m purpose-built centre for children in West Cork will be officially opened today by Minister Micheál Martin The Children Services Centre at St Mary’s Road, Dunmanway has come about as a result of a partnership between the Health Service Executive (HSE) and CoAction, a West Cork-based orga
14/05/2010
Prince Charles has added royal approval to the £11m refurbishment of Belfast City Hall. Following in the footsteps of his great grandfather, George V and Queen Mary whose horse-drawn carriage cavalcade helped highlight the original in 1921 - when they came to Belfast to open the first Stormont Parl
14/05/2010
A Sinn Féin senator has again called on Irish Transport Minister, Noel Dempsey to set in place plans for the extension of rail services for Donegal and the North West as a priority. Speaking during a debate on transport in the Seanad, Pearse Doherty said that in order to pursue the project all poli
14/05/2010
There's a fresh bid being made this week for a new Co Donegal Tesco store. Building contractors will be keeping an eye on developments as, even though the supermarket giant withdrew its previous planning application a month ago, Tesco Ireland has now lodged a fresh application with Donegal County C
14/05/2010
Northern Ireland's Roads Service has announced plans to carry out major maintenance work at Sprucefield Bridge on the M1 Motorway. The road works will run from 24 May to 30 August 2010 and Mark McPeak, Roads Service's Project Manager said: "Sprucefield Bridge was built in 1966 and now requires imp
14/05/2010
There has been a welcome for an announcement by the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) confirming the establishment of its NI Advisory Committee. NI Finance Minister Sammy Wilson said: "Since the announcement of NAMA in April 2009, I have liaised closely with Minister Lenihan to ensure that N
13/05/2010
A decision to refuse planning permission to an extension to a Belfast office block has been upheld. Benmore Developments had applied to add a second and third floor to its offices at Rushmere House in Cadogan Park in the south of the city. However, Mark Watson of the Planning Appeals Commission la
13/05/2010
Planners are considering proposals for a new £50m development in Drumahoe that could bring 300 jobs back to the north west. According to the BBC, the development would be built on the site of the former Desmonds factory, which employed almost 300 people when it closed in 2004. The scheme would inc
13/05/2010
Another major building project has been completed and officially opened for business. Irish Tánaiste and Education Minister, Mary Coughlan opened the demonstration library in St Aidan's Community School, Tallaght. According to Ms Coughlan, the library is an outstanding resource that will provide a
13/05/2010
Sinn Féin Economy Spokesperson, Mitchel McLaughlin has welcomed proposals by Energy Regulators North and South to harmonise energy prices through the introduction of an all-Ireland retail energy market. The South Antrim MLA said: "This is a welcome and progressive move that I believe will help deli
13/05/2010
A Belfast man - who is also a well known professional architect - was fined £800 plus £75 legal costs and £10 court costs at Belfast Magistrates' Court this week for the unauthorised removal of trees. Mr Christopher McCauley of Osborne Park, Belfast, pleaded guilty to the removal of the protected t
13/05/2010
Property valuation experts from the University of Ulster have been helping to train Ministry of Finance government officials in Mauritius. A team from the School of the Built Environment, led by Dr William McCluskey and Dr Erin Montgomery, was involved in a recent knowledge transfer project with t
13/05/2010
NI Environment Minister Edwin Poots has chaired a meeting of powerful decision makers on the future of Northern Ireland's built heritage. The Built Heritage Stakeholder’s Forum is an influential body of leaders from across Northern Ireland, which focuses on the contribution of historic buildings an
13/05/2010
NI Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has announced a multi-million pound investment by GE, which will create 104 jobs in Lisburn, Co Antrim. GE is a diversified global infrastructure, finance and media company, which serves the energy sector by developing and deploying technology that helps make e
12/05/2010
Irish Transport Minister, Noel Dempsey has welcomed the decision by the European Investment Bank Board to accept the recommendation of its Management Committee to approve a loan of up to €500million for Metro North. Minister Dempsey said: "This decision is an important signal of confidence in this
12/05/2010
NI Transport Minister, Conor Murphy has welcomed the successful completion of Roads Service's 2009/2010 programme of works and the planned £2.4million for structural road maintenance in the Magherafelt District Council area this year. Speaking ahead of a meeting between Roads Service and Magherafel
12/05/2010
Housing is a priority for the new man in charge of social development at Stormont. SDLP MLA Alex Attwood is to replace his party leader, Margaret Ritchie as NI Social Development Minister. Alex Attwood said: "I am very grateful for this opportunity and honoured to accept this position on behalf of
12/05/2010
Former GMTV presenter, Fiona Phillips joined NI Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey at Belfast City Hall yesterday to officially unveil the 'Fold Brain Bus' initiative. Ms Phillips been vocal about her experiences in caring for her father with dementia. With its distinctive pink and purple exterior
12/05/2010
NI Transport Minister, Conor Murphy has welcomed the successful completion of Roads Service's 2009/2010 programme of works and the planned £3.2 million for structural road maintenance in the Strabane District Council area this year. "A range of local schemes has been delivered successfully by Roads
12/05/2010
Mr George Morrow, trading as North Down Recovery of Main Street, Millisle, has been fined a total of £3,000 and £22 costs at Newtownards Magistrates' Court for a breach of waste management legislation. Officers of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) investigated the above site, where Mr
12/05/2010
An Irish business development body has announced it is to invest up to €175,000 in five North/South company-to-company research and development (R&D) partnerships. InterTradeIreland has encouraged companies from across the island of Ireland to take advantage of its Innova programme - by Friday 4th
12/05/2010
NI Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has encouraged the local renewables sector to build partnerships and take advantage of the multi-billion pound global marine energy market. The Minister was speaking as she highlighted the strength of the local renewables sector to around 100 guests, including U
11/05/2010
A Belfast-based construction firm has been awarded two national awards from industry body 'Considerate Constructors'. Mascot’s recent project at South Eastern Regional College in Newtownards, Co Down was awarded runner-up in the category of 'UK’s Most Considerate Construction Site' as well as rece
11/05/2010
A leading Northern Ireland property developer has accepted £30,000 in libel damages from the Sunday World newspaper. Frank Boyd, who co-owns the William Ewart firm, sued the paper over an article that made references to an arson attack on a Belfast retail complex, the BBC reports. The publishers o
11/05/2010
Ulster Unionist Assembly member for Fermanagh & South Tyrone, Tom Elliott has expressed "serious concerns" about the wisdom of continuing with an £800m spend on a new A5 dual carriageway. Mr Elliot has claimed an upgrade of the A5 would be sufficient, while also arguing that the decision to build a
11/05/2010
Irish Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, John Gormley was on hand recently to officially open Galway City’s latest visitor attraction, the medieval Red Earl’s Hall. The remains of the medieval hall, built in the late 12th or early 13th century, were uncovered and preserve
11/05/2010
Irish Tánaiste and Minister for Education, Mary Coughlan opened a new €7 million extension in St Brendan's College, Belmullet, Co Mayo yesterday. The extension, which was completed in September 2009, has two science laboratories, a woodwork room, a technology room, a computer room, two general clas
11/05/2010
SDLP Fermanagh South Tyrone MLA Tommy Gallagher has reacted angrily to plans submitted by EirGrid for a north-south electricity connector between Meath and Tyrone above ground. A hearing into the proposals, headed by An Bord Pleanála, began n Monaghan yesterday. The project has been met with stron
11/05/2010
The beleaguered UUP leader, Sir Reg Empey is still very much in the political arena. He has met with both those in support of and those against the proposed Rose Energy poultry litter incinerator at Glenavy, Co Antrim. Speaking just ahead of his Westminster election defeat, Sir Reg - who remains t
11/05/2010
Ulster Unionist member of the Assembly committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Leslie Cree has expressed concern that the proposed redeployment of Planning Service staff could prove "critical" to Northern Ireland's economic recovery. "It is no surprise that morale in the Planning Service is
10/05/2010
Activity in the construction sector contracted for the 35th month in a row in April, new figures have shown. The latest Ulster Bank Construction PMI survey reveals a further deterioration of operating conditions with both new business and employment falling at faster rates. However, the index has
10/05/2010
EirGrid has defended its plans to build a north-south electricity interconnector between Meath and Tyrone. A hearing by An Bord Pleanála into the proposals began today in Monaghan. The state-owned company has insisted there is no alternative but to run the 400-kilovolt cables using large pylons.
10/05/2010
Unemployed construction workers have been admitted to psychiatric care due to their "despair" over welfare pay, according to a newspaper report. Former self-employed tradesmen such as carpenters, tilers, plumbers and electricians are not qualifying automatically for unemployment benefit because the
10/05/2010
Plans for a multi-million redevelopment scheme in Londonderry's Waterside area have been revealed. GSB Guernsey Trading Limited, part of the Orana Group, has submitted applications for the Crescent Link project with Derry's Planning Office. The proposals for the 56-acre site include two applicatio
10/05/2010
Part of a newly built 'trunk road' in Co Down has been re-excavated after subsidence. Both lanes of the newly completed Belfast-Newry carriageway have had to be dug up after they began sinking and fresh work to excavate and rebuild the lanes at a section north of Sheepbridge is expected to add arou
10/05/2010
Work is to resume at a Belfast aerospace factory today, following a fire at the site on Sunday. The main building at the Shorts factory in the east of the city was damaged in a blaze that began in an area where metal components are cleaned before going to assembly lines Maintenance staff at the fa
10/05/2010
A shopping centre in Co Armagh is to host a fundraising event this weekend, in aid of its Uganda Schools Project. Rushmere in Craigavon is preparing for Africa Day 2010 on Saturday 15th of May, which will bring some of the "sights, tastes and sounds of Africa" to the centre in order to raise money
07/05/2010
A Kent-based multi-national construction business is eyeing-up the troubled Quinn Group. Laing O'Rourke is understood to have held talks over a potential takeover of parts of its business. Delegates from the construction giant spent two days last month at the Quinn headquarters, in Co Cavan, it is
07/05/2010
A major road improvement scheme in Co Tyrone is progressing well, according to Roads Service. The A29 Cookstown Road at Carland Bridge is scheduled to open to traffic later this year, according to a recent report in the Tyrone Courier. To date the works have been progressing on the 1.85kms length
07/05/2010
NI Water has apologised to residents in Co Antrim after encountering "unforeseen ground conditions" during infrastructure upgrades. The ongoing work on a section of road between Clady and Portglenone is now expected to be completed by 14th June. As a result of the delay, NI Water has now thanked r
07/05/2010
A leading climatologist has urged Clare County Council to display extra care when deciding on planning applications for one-off homes in the Burren region of the area. Citing the advent of climate change, Prof John Sweeney of NUI Maynooth said winters in the Burren would be wetter, resulting in wat
07/05/2010
A local developer has offered to make land available for a car park and railway station in Crusheen, Clare T.D. and Minister Tony Killeen has said. Minister Killeen said he has received confirmation from Iarnród Eireann Chief Executive Richard Fearn that it has received substantial interest in the
07/05/2010
Cork City Council Library Service recently marked the openings of the city’s new Douglas and Blackpool libraries. Welcoming the two new facilities, the Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Dara Murphy said: "These libraries represent a major civic investment into these vibrant local communities. We look forwar
07/05/2010
Sligo County Council has announced a €200 annual charge for the owners of non-principal private residences. The Local Government (Charges) Act 2009 fee applies mainly to owners of private rental property and holiday homes. It also applies to vacant residential property unless newly built but unsold
07/05/2010
Irish Energy Minister, Eamon Ryan has announced that he will shortly be introducing a Carbon Windfall Levy on electricity generators. The legislation will be introduced as part of the Biofuels Obligation Bill, currently going through final stages in the Oireachtas. Under the Kyoto Carbon Trading
07/05/2010
A Co Kildare man has been jailed for six weeks over his "wilful, cynical and repeated" failure to obey court orders requiring him to remove a stretch of road that was constructed without planning permission. High Court judge, Justice John Quirke also referred papers in the proceedings against Leo P
06/05/2010
Gardaí and the Health and Safety Authority have launched separate investigations after a man was killed in an industrial accident in county Cork, according to a newspaper report. The man, thought to be local, is believed to have died following an accident at a scrapyard at Jamesbrook in East Ferry
06/05/2010
A Co Down politician has called for action over a promised school project. Commenting on delays in the building of a new school for St Patrick's College in Banbridge, Upper Bann SDLP MLA Dolores Kelly said: "There are enough building contractors in Upper Bann who would willingly tender for schools
06/05/2010
A Northern Ireland-based property company has been granted planning permission to build a £56m development in Liverpool city centre. Tara House aims to locate the development on Oldham Street and has drafted in Liverpool architects, Falconer Chester Hall as designers of the project. The scheme wil
06/05/2010
A major charity is being 'built-up' thanks to an Irish construction business. BAM Contractors officially presented the proceeds of its annual fund-raising ball towards the redevelopment of the Marymount Hospice in Cork recently. Managing Director of the company, Theo Cullinana, handed over a chequ
06/05/2010
NI businesses - including those in the construction sector - still have time to line-up for lucrative contracts for the forthcoming London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics. That was the news this week at a special business seminar held in Belfast to help local companies pinpoint new opportunities by b
06/05/2010
Skeletal remains that disappeared from a sand quarry in Co Donegal at the weekend have been handed in to a museum in Letterkenny. The bones of a child – thought to be thousands of years old – were found in a quarry near Gweedore last week. The discovery came after the site was sealed off and inves
06/05/2010
A public realm scheme in a run-down area of Belfast has been completed. It has transformed the Woodstock Link area of east with a £350,000 regeneration project that has enhanced the overall look of the site for both residents and businesses. The construction work for the project included resurfaci
06/05/2010
Irish Environment Minister, John Gormley was on hand recently to officially open the newly constructed visitor centre for Ballycroy National Park, Co Mayo. Speaking at the opening, Minister Gormley said: "This will be a major new attraction for Ballycroy and all of the surrounding communities of No
06/05/2010
Leading lights of the local interior design, property and art worlds have joined forces to launch the province’s inaugural Interiors Show – the only show of its kind in Northern Ireland this year. The exhibition, which takes place in the Odyssey Arena from June 11 – 13, will feature more than 50 s
06/05/2010
To celebrate ten years of showcasing the very best in construction, the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) will be working with celebrity property guru Phil Spencer, to launch a nationwide search for Britain’s best builder. The competition aims to raise the standard of British building, in innovat
05/05/2010
After years of controversy, a major business and housing complex in Co Antrim has been given the green light. Jobs in the construction industry and in the business and retail developments will flow in after the Stormont Environment Minister Edwin Poots signed off on the huge development plan propos
05/05/2010
Members of the trade union SIPTU members at Kingspan in Kingscourt, Co Cavan have deferred strike action which was due last week. The company has agreed to withdraw the threat of lay-offs and normal working arrangements has therefore resumed this week. SIPTU has sought further discussions with the
05/05/2010
An environmentalist is taking his case to Europe to prevent the building of a major new cross border road scheme. The green campaigner, who is opposed to the construction of the new A5 dual carriageway between Aughnacloy and Londonderry said it is because he fears it will have a devastating impact
05/05/2010
A campaign to force the re-building of an arson-hit school in Co Antrim is gathering momentum. Amid claims of 'double standards' in the selective nature of funding for school building projects, protestors gathered outside the site of Whitehouse Primary School last week to call for work to begin imm
05/05/2010
There are major opportunities for Irish construction firms across the English Channel. Building firms in Ireland should look to France for future opportunities, accountancy firm Mazars has advised. The Mazars Irish and Construction 2010 Outlook survey highlighted that over 80% of construction firm
05/05/2010
There's no wind of change blowing in Co Down. The Planning Service has refused permission for a number of proposed wind turbines across Down district. This is despite warnings that such refusals are preventing the development of renewable energy, the creation of new jobs and the provision of incom
05/05/2010
Construction could be grinding to a halt across Ireland as the building sector contracts and the overall financial situation is looking shaky too. The collapse of the construction boom has had a devastating impact on the economy with the latest central bank bulletin stating that the building and co
05/05/2010
As the UK entered the last 24-hours before the General Election, it has emerged that the controversial owner of the so-called 'Bog Hotel' in Co Donegal has said he will run as an Independent in the Donegal South West bye-election. Patsy Brogan, who recently overcame a court challenge by Donegal Cou
04/05/2010
Building work is to commence shortly on a new school faciity in Co Donegal. The Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, Mary Coughlan has announced that a contractor has been appointed to begin work on the new Finn Valley College in Stranorlar. The new school will consist of almost 3,500 s
04/05/2010
Building firms are hoping for a boost with news that a major Asda store is being planned for the Co Armagh area. It is to be located in the Edenderry area of Portadown and is expected to create a large number of construction phase jobs as well as at least 100 jobs on completion. The VICO organisat
04/05/2010
An infrastructure contract in Co Donegal is being delayed after it emerged that the renewal works to Main Street in the town of Milford has suffered a fresh setback. After an eight-year wait and a street protest, work commenced at the beginning of March on the €1.3 million renewal works in the town
04/05/2010
As potential buyers 'camp-out' awaiting the sale to begin, SDLP East Derry MLA John Dallat has called for a strategy to be put in place to maximize the potential of the former army barracks site in Ballykelly. He said: "The release of these houses this week provides a unique opportunity for first-t
04/05/2010
The Richmond Shopping Centre in Londonderry has been sold for £24m, according to industry reports. Property agents CB Richard Ellis said the Derry centre has been bought by West Register, the distressed assets arm of Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), the BBC reports. The property was sold by administr
04/05/2010
Northern Ireland Water (NI Water) is to carry out essential sewer laying along a section of the Whitepark Road (A2) in Bushmills from 17th May for a period of two weeks as part of its £6.5 million Bushmills/Portballintrae Wastewater Treatment Project. In a bid to keep traffic disruption to a minimu
04/05/2010
Sinn Féin’s Martina Anderson has claimed that there are elements within Invest NI and the University of Ulster "actively working against the interests of Derry". The Foyle MLA said: "Both INI and the University of Ulster have a responsibility to promote the city in line with the Executive’s Program
04/05/2010
Sinn Féin Foyle MLA Raymond McCartney has appealed for an end to illegal dumping in the Springtown Road area of Derry. Mr McCartney made his call after being contacted by a number of residents concerned about the environmental impact and public health implications it was having there. "This probl
