THE builder involved in some of the biggest and most hotly debated developments in Dorset has seen profits rise by almost a third.

Morgan Sindall has delivered some of the area’s most notable projects, both as a construction company and as a partner with Bournemouth Borough Council in the Bournemouth Development Company.

Its partnership with the council involves developing many of Bournemouth’s car parks, in line with the council’s 20-year Town Centre Vision.

Morgan Sindall, which has a regional office in Poole, saw operating profit rise 28 per cent to £31.9million on revenue up nine per cent to £1,423m in the first half of 2018.

The national company’s order book stood at £3,604m, with adjusted earnings per share up 28 per cent.

Pat Boyle, managing director for construction, said: “Morgan Sindall continues to focus on its customers’ needs and has a clear strategy that plays to the business’s strengths. This positive performance is proof that our approach is working. We have a strong forward pipeline and an experienced and stable team in place and are confident that we will end the year in a good position and continue to build on our excellent reputation.”

Morgan Sindall’s high-profile buildings include Arts University Bournemouth’s drawing studio and the extension to its photographic department.

Its partnership with Bournemouth council has been credited with delivering projects worth more than £300m in the town since 2013.

Bournemouth Development Company is “working up” more than £210m of development on public car parks. Those schemes include a leisure and entertainment development on Bath Road and a £150m mix of flats, leisure and community facilities at the former Winter Gardens.

The partnership was recently set back when plans for 44 flats on the Durley Road car park were rejected. One source in the council’s ruling Conservative group said there was “growing discontent” with the strategy.