Project will establish Europe’s first advanced uranium fuels production facility to power the next generation of nuclear reactors Costain, the infrastructure solutions company, has been chosen to design a ground-breaking advanced fuels production facility for Urenco, global suppliers of uranium enrichment services and fuel cycle products for power generation. The contract will see Costain’s multi-disciplinary in-house civil nuclear and engineering team carry out the front-end engineering design (FEED) for Europe’s first High Assay Low Enriched Uranium (HALEU) Advanced Fuels Facility. HALEU is uranium that has been enriched to have between 5% and 20% of the fissile isotope, U-235. It’s needed to fuel the next generation of reactor designs, including Advanced Modular Reactors (AMRs) and Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), to produce clean, cheap and secure nuclear energy for decades to come. The new facility, to be built at Urenco’s Capenhurst site in Cheshire, will produce the specialist fuel to support the development and deployment of the next generation of nuclear reactors at home and abroad and the associated global export opportunities.   Costain is expected to complete the FEED in 2027. The FEED will inform Urenco’s plans for its new advanced fuel enrichment technologies and production facility. Earlier this year Urenco selected Costain as programme delivery partner to deliver new and upgraded infrastructure at Urenco Capenhurst over the next three years. Sam White, managing director, natural resources at Costain, commented: “This incredibly exciting project will establish the UK as the first country in Europe to launch a high-tech advanced nuclear fuels programme, confirming its status as a world leader in the civil nuclear energy market. “Ensuring the UK’s supply of advanced nuclear fuel will be critical for powering the next generation of reactors, including AMRs and SMRs. These are nuclear technologies that will play an important role as low-carbon sources of electricity to support a secure, resilient and decarbonised energy system in the UK. “Our expert engineers will work collaboratively with Urenco and the wider supply chain to design a state-of-the-art fuel facility. Constructability will be at the heart of the designs to make this concept a reality.” Costain has extensive experience in delivering FEED studies to solve complex problems, and integrating engineering and constructability across a range of sectors for nuclear and non-nuclear design and build projects. It is currently delivering critical projects across the UK’s nuclear energy ecosystem, providing a range of services and solutions including project delivery, design, build, decommissioning and maintenance of nuclear energy sites.   Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Caddick Civil Engineering Ltd has completed a £2 million construction contract has completed at Vesuvius, Worksop facilitating the next phase of development at the 45-acre brownfield site. Delivered on behalf of development and investment company, CEG, the highway infrastructure package included an extension of the existing spine road, construction of a new roundabout and connections to all utilities. As well as providing access for the local bus service into the site, this will release the remaining sixteen acres of development land ready for businesses to locate here. A deal has already been secured for the first acre of land to Admirals Yard Self Storage which is building a secure storage facility.  Antonia Martin Wright, Director of Commercial Development at CEG, explains: “The infrastructure works have opened up access to the next development site, providing serviced, level development-ready plots. “In addition to securing a deal with Admirals Yard Self Storage, we’ve received a number of enquiries. With design and build opportunities available from 10,000 sq. ft upwards and such a shortage of supply in the market we expect to announce further new occupiers this year.” DTRE and FHP have been appointed as agents to market the site. Rob Kos, Associate Partner at DTRE, said: On the back of agreeing a deal with Admirals Self Storage and the new infrastructure works completing, we have seen an uptick in enquires and are having some positive discussions with occupiers and purchasers. This is likely to continue given the lack of open storage and oven ready development plots in the area.” Vesuvius is CEG’s regeneration of a 45-acre brownfield site close to the M1 and A1(M). CEG delivered the original remediation and development platforms, alongside infrastructure including the new access roundabout and roads, working closely with the local authority and D2N2 to enable the development. A 70,000 sq. ft ASDA food store opened in 2020, followed by Travis Perkins and Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue’s £3.4m new fire station. CEG speculatively delivered the first phase of 16 light industrial units in summer 2021. These were swiftly let to a range of occupiers including Kitchen Craft, Escape Hot Tubs, Rother Valley Optics, electric vehicle charging specialist Powerpoint and Shark Eye’s research and design centre. There are also three food and beverage units at the site, including Burger King. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Civil engineering costs are set to rise by 16 per cent over the next five years to 4Q 2029, driven mainly by increasing labour costs. Over the same period, civil engineering tender prices are expected to increase by 22 per cent according to the latest forecast from the Building Cost Information Service (BCIS). Dr David Crosthwaite, chief economist at BCIS, said: “Infrastructure projects, by their nature, require long-term planning and delivery, meaning there are no quick fixes. “However, greater government clarity could help to restore confidence in the sector. “The Lower Thames Crossing, for instance, remains in limbo. Despite being a critical transport project, it has yet to receive final approval, with Chancellor Rachel Reeves recently saying it will need to be funded by private finance. But securing investment takes time, and no investor will commit without a definitive green light from the government. “If ministers are serious about revitalising infrastructure, decisive action is required. Without firm commitments and project approvals, the industry risks further stagnation at a time when clear direction is urgently needed.” BCIS has formed a Civil Engineering TPI panel to advise on the latest movement in tender prices. Comprised of cost consultants from firms involved in multiple civil engineering tenders in the UK, the panel also provides commentary on conditions affecting pricing levels on civil engineering projects. The panel agreed an average increase of 1 per cent in the first quarter of 2025, with annual growth at 3 per cent. Dr Crosthwaite said: “Like in other sectors, civil engineering clients are waiting to see what happens with the second phase of the government’s spending review, due in June. Until then, there continues to be uncertainty in the market. “Panellists said that, although there is positive sentiment in the sector, the point at which that is expected to convert to activity keeps moving back. Whereas there was an expectation at the end of last year that output would increase from the beginning of the year, they’re now talking about the latter half of this year at the earliest.” Contractors’ appetite to tender for civil engineering projects was reported as fairly flat with some sub-sectors busy with constrained supply chains. Dr Crosthwaite said: “Water, sewerage and electricity generation spending are expected to kick in later this year, so we’ll see increased pressure in those areas. “Panellists also reported that they are starting to see some price rises feeding through following the announced changes to employers National Insurance contributions.” New work infrastructure output declined by 9.3 per cent in 2024 but is set to return to growth from this year. Output in the sector is forecast to rise by 17 per cent over the next five years. Dr Crosthwaite added: “Future output levels will be bolstered by proposed new work in the energy and water sectors, alongside ongoing work on HS2, Hinkley Point C, and offshore wind developments. In addition, the commitment to build the HS2 link between Old Oak Common and Euston is likely to boost output when construction starts in 2026.” For more information about BCIS, please visit: www.bcis.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

New and upgraded infrastructure at Cheshire site will drive regional prosperity and UK energy resilience Costain, the infrastructure solutions company, has been chosen as programme delivery partner by Urenco to deliver new and upgraded infrastructure at its site in Capenhurst, Cheshire. The framework is expected to see contracts awarded to Costain over a minimum of three years. Costain will lead and deliver an integrated programme of Urenco’s infrastructure investment activities, including developing the design, procurement, construction and commissioning of works and upgrades at Capenhurst. Urenco’s Capenhurst site provides uranium enrichment services to produce fuel for civil nuclear power stations in the UK and around the world to generate low-carbon electricity. The site is undergoing a series of complex work programmes to support the long-term resilience of the site, including establishing Europe’s first High Assay Low Enriched Uranium (HALEU) advanced fuels facility. Costain will work closely with local supply chain partners and provide strategic direction, integration, assurance and governance of the works. The programme will also deliver social and economic value to local communities, including supporting the creation of jobs and developing skills across the North West of England. Sam White, managing director, natural resources at Costain, commented: “Ensuring the supply of safe, low-carbon electricity is critical for creating a sustainable future. We’re bringing decades of experience in predictable, best-in-class delivery to help safeguard the UK’s energy security and support the transition to more sustainable energy generation. “Costain has a strong presence in the North West and this award reinforces our commitment to improving the lives of local communities through the provision of new jobs, developing skills and driving prosperity.” Costain is delivering a number of critical projects across the UK’s nuclear energy ecosystem, providing a range of services and solutions including project delivery, design, build, decommissioning, and maintenance of nuclear energy sites across the UK.    Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals