Core wins 1.2 million contract for Liverpool development
- Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Core, one of the UK’s leading multi-utility contractors, has been awarded a contract worth £1.2 million by a housing joint venture, Revive, for an ambitious regeneration project in North Huyton, Liverpool.Core will begin on-site in the coming months – project managing all on-site diversion work and laying the new infrastructure. The utility company has already been liaising with the host utility suppliers for Revive – made up of Gleeson Regeneration & Homes, Haslam Homes and Lowry Homes – over the past year to ensure they have a fully project managed package.

This two and half year contract will see the multi-utility company install the infrastructure for water and gas pipes as well as electricity and telephone cables for the first phase of the development. The initial phase of the housing development will consist of 391 energy efficient homes comprising of two bedroom apartments and two, three and four bedroom semi-detached, terraced and detached properties. John Burns, Operations Director South of Core said: “We are delighted to have been offered the opportunity to work on such a high profile regeneration project. “We are due to begin on-site diversions and we have been liaising with Revive to ensure this will be completed in an efficient manner.

“Our biggest challenge now will be diverting a medium pressure gas main which can only be done in the summer months. This may be an issue given the timescales we are working to but we will work closely with the developers to ensure any disruption is kept to a minimum.” The redevelopment of North Huyton seeks to improve housing choice and mix and widen opportunities for home ownership. The proposals also include retail space, a health centre and plans to create green, landscaped areas where people want to live and work.

It is estimated that the first phase of the project will bring around £50m of new investment into the area. Revive spokesperson, Brian Gowthorpe, said "The complex existing utilities services need careful handling to minimise disruption to local residents and to speed this development which is so important to the local community. The Revive Consortium of Gleeson Homes, Haslam Homes and Lowry Homes has wisely placed the coordinating and project management of service diversions and new supplies in the hands of a specialist."

Core is due to begin on site early in 2008. A total of five phases are planned for the development.