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http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl >> News and Comment >> New BH delayed again http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1140209040 Message started by Forum Admin on Feb 17^th, 2006, 8:44pm

Title: New BH delayed again
Post by Forum Admin on Feb 17^th, 2006, 8:44pm

This is taken from the Daily Telegraph, February 17 2006:

£400m REDEVELOPMENT OF BBC FLAGSHIP BUILDING SUFFERS FURTHER DELAYS

The redevelopment of the BBC's flagship Broadcasting House may not be completed until 2010, after the Australian contractor Bovis Lend Lease said the £400m project had suffered further delays.

The project incorporates a complete refit of the existing 1930s building in Portland Place and the development of what is billed to be the world's largest newsroom, has
been dogged by problems since its inception in 2002.

The most serious was the replacement of architect Sir Richard McCormac, who fell out with the BBC, its property manager Land Securities Trillium and Bovis Lend Lease.

Bovis Lend Lease yesterday said interim operating profits had fallen 2pc to A$177m (£75m) after it absorbed a A$37m (£16m) charge after contractors working on glazing and stonework collapsed into administration. The first stage of the BBC project was completed eight months' late in January.

Industry commentators drew parallels between the delays and those suffered at the Wembley Stadium project, which is being managed by Australia's Multiplex Group. The project was originally expected to be completed in 2008.

Title: Re: New BH delayed again
Post by Forum Admin on Feb 22^nd, 2006, 9:31pm

This is taken from The Guardian:

NAO launches inquiry into BBC building work

David Hencke, Westminster correspondent
Wednesday February 22, 2006

The National Audit Office is holding an inquiry into the spending of over £800m of licence payers' money on the redevelopment of the BBC's flagship headquarters at Broadcasting House - only a week after a damning report which castigated the corporation for the way it added £60m to fitting out new buildings at White City.

Alan Williams, the Labour MP for Swansea West and deputy chairman of the powerful Commons public accounts committee, has asked Sir John Bourn, the comptroller and auditor general, for a short report on the BBC management's handling of the work - which has been bedevilled by delays and will now not be occupied until 2010.

The NAO said it had prepared a report and was sending it to the MP.

The BBC has spent around £190m refurbishing the listed building, the original home of BBC Radio, including new studios. They have also restored Lord Reith's orginal office and council chamber to its original art deco glory.

Mark Thompson, the director general, is expected to move back to Broadcasting House from White City. But the building has been completed nine months behind schedule, triggering penalty clauses against the BBC's agent, Land Securities, which is in charge of the design-and-build project.

The cost of the first phase of the scheme has also overrun by £20m. The BBC said tonight that some £7m had been spent on extra security arrangements following 9/11 to protect staff and another £13m has been spent on refurbishing a nearby building, Western House, the headquarters for BBC Radio 2.

The corporation is also planning to spend some £400m on fitting out the new broadcasting centre with some of the most up-to-date technical equipment.

A BBC spokesman said tonight: "We are holding amicable discussions with Bovis and Land Securities on how to proceed. Basically we have to stick to a £800m budget so we will have to make changes to the next phase."

Bovis also confirmed that it was holding discussions with the BBC and Land Securities about the next phase. Work has been delayed on the project while these are completed.

BBC staff, who face losing 4,000 jobs plus further moves from London to Manchester, are critical of the amount of money being spent on new buildings, while the National Union of Journalists has attacked the corporation for wasting cash on the developments.