Bovis Lend Lease has been chosen over Laing O'Rourke as the surprise winner of Land Securities' 拢350m St David's 2 shopping complex in Cardiff.

The decision last Wednesday came after Bovis pulled ahead in last-minute discussions between the developer and the two contractors.

Sir Robert McAlpine was also in the running for the deal to build a 90,000 m2 shopping centre, which will be anchored by a 24,100 m虏 John Lewis store. It is scheduled to open by the end of 2008.

Land Securities project director Steve McGuckin declined to give details of why the St David's Partnership, a joint venture between the developer and Capital Shopping Centres, had chosen Bovis.

He said: "With the Easter break, we haven't had a chance to feed back to Sir Robert McAlpine or Laing O'Rourke the detail behind the partnership's decision.

"At the conclusion, Bovis Lend Lease were ahead on some issues that will be key to successful project delivery."

Construction is expected to start by September this year.