London projects in trouble

The Westfield construction director running the £4bn Stratford City development has walked out, leaving the project’s future uncertain.

Building magazine reported that Terry Starr left Westfield two weeks ago after a disagreement with the firm’s management. It’s thought Westfield is now considering John Roberts - project director on its £1.6bn, White City retail development in west London – as a replacement.

The London 2012 Olympics aquatics centre will not meet the Olympic Delivery Authority’s (ODA) target for energy efficiency while the Games are taking place, reported Building.

The ODA’s original sustainability documents suggested the centre would beat the Part L Building Regulations carbon target by 15%, but a planning application document lodged last week found that this target will not be hit until after the Games end.

The document says the centre will be in a ‘temporary configuration’ during the games, so the carbon target will not apply until 2013, when ‘legacy mode’ kicks in. By that date, renewable energy infrastructure will help the venue hit the 15% target, reported Building.

Work on Stanhope’s £300m Walbrook Square development in the City of London has been delayed until 2009.

Construction of the 92,900m2 scheme, also known as ‘Darth Vader’s helmet’ for its angular design, was due to start this year but has been pushed back for unknown reasons, reported Building.

A source close to the Foster + Partners scheme told the magazine: ‘Some elements haven’t been pushed back, but a lot have. Enabling works are going on, but its real start date is in doubt.’ It’s thought delays were in part caused by a potential buyer of the scheme asking for the main construction contract to be competitively tendered.

And it looks like another large tower – the so-called ‘Walkie Talkie’ at 20 Fenchurch Street in the City – will be put on hold after Land Securities decided to delay its procurement decision on the project.

Construction News (CN) reported that the developer will wait until the end of the year to decide on a delivery method. It’s bad news for Mace, which had been tipped as preferred contractor to build the 36-storey tower. Land Securities’ director of projects Steve McGuckin said the developer will use the delay to try to contain possible cost increases, said CN.