Manchester City Council’s executive will be asked to approve the Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) for the former retail site at a meeting today. The high-level development that sets out the principles for future planning applications for the site was originally agreed in 2020 and updated to inform a six-week consultation
Leading commercial property developer, Stoford, has begun the second and final phase of development at a multimillion pound logistics and manufacturing scheme in the West Midlands. Stoford has commenced construction of two new Grade A warehouse buildings that will deliver almost 450,000 sq ft of logistics accommodation at Redditch Gateway,
Leading contactor, GRAHAM, has invested in enhanced fire awareness training for more than 100 of its employees in partnership with Nullifire, a fire stopping solutions and intumescent coatings manufacturer, part of parent brand CPG UK Ltd. Designed and managed by Area Sales Manager for Fire Protection at CPG UK, Colin
Methodology for calculating carbon is shared by Groundforce Shorco. Specialist shoring supplier Groundforce Shorco has developed a carbon calculator for temporary works and is making it available not just for customers but the shoring industry as a whole. This altruistic offer is part of the Vp plc subsidiary’s commitment to
The Regenda Group, a regeneration organisation which includes M&Y Maintenance and Construction, has acquired Ecogee Ltd. Ecogee, is an energy, retrofit and construction specialist, providing green solutions for Local Authorities, social housing providers, and private developers. Originally established in 2012 the company was set up in response to the Government’s
The Construction Industry Collective Voice (CICV) has welcomed another major organisation to its ranks, as the successful collective continues to offer a wealth of practical support and guidance to Scotland’s building sector. The National Association of Shopfitters (NAS) becomes the first new full CICV member of 2023 and the 29th overall,
Construction works for a new housing development in Worksop, Nottinghamshire will soon be taking place. Leading midlands-based contractor, G F Tomlinson, has been appointed to construct and design 90 houses on the vacant site off Radford Street, which has been procured through the Pagabo Framework for Major Construction Works. The
Amtico has refreshed its popular Click Smart luxury vinyl tile (LVT) collection. Featuring five new Scandinavian-inspired Woods, two fresh Stones and a Parquet option, the designs reflect the increasing demand for cleaner, contemporary tones in the build-to-rent (BTR) and purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) sectors. The loose lay, rigid core LVT
The UK’s National Infrastructure Strategy sets out plans to transform UK infrastructure to support levelling up and help meet net-zero emissions by 2050. As part of this strategy, local councils were invited to bid for funding for infrastructure projects that would contribute towards meeting these objectives. One successful application was
Following an investigation carried out by Stockport Trading Standards and the HSE, UK Manager for Asbestos Boss Ltd, Daniel Cockcroft, has been brought to justice with the help of the CITB Quality & Standards Team. Stockport Trading Standards and the HSE were first alerted to the rogue traders back in
Manchester City Council’s executive will be asked to approve the Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) for the former retail site at a meeting today. The high-level development that sets out the principles for future planning applications for the site was originally agreed in 2020 and updated to inform a six-week consultation in January this year. The SRF reacts to a range of opportunities for the site – each playing their own part in improving the area. This includes supporting Manchester’s aim of becoming a zero carbon city by 2038, increasing the amount of greens space available to residents, creating sustainable economic growth and stimulating new employment opportunities. Responses to the consultation were largely focused on the need to have usable green space and biodiversity, creating a welcoming area that should feel like a park – rather than a harder landscaped city centre space. Comments included a welcoming of the increased amount of new space compared to the previous SRF and respondents also raised the hope that the new green space would be created as a continuation of Cotton Field Park. Following the consultation, the SRF has also been updated to include a new plan for how the development site will connect to wider walking and cycling routes. These will be well lit – reacting to responses in the consultation – along with accessible routes. The key principles for future development include: The Government Property Agency (GPA) is also exploring options for delivering office solutions in Manchester, to meet the needs of various civil servant departments, which supports the Government’s commitment to locate more civil servants outside of London and support levelling up. Therefore, the framework also responds to potential interest from the GPA to locate government offices on the site. The SRF proposes a phased approach to development, to allow the full potential of the site to be realised and to minimise disruption during construction. The exact timing of development will largely be driven by commercial office space and market requirements. The potential interest from the GPA to locate offices in the area gives a positive indication of current market demand. The green space at the former retail park complements wider green investment elsewhere in Ancoats and New Islington, as well as the nearby, recently opened, Mayfield Park. A planning application has now been submitted on a £30m public realm investment in Ancoats – including the new Ancoats Mobility Hub – which will create a new green heart to the city centre area. The Council’s executive has also endorsed the Manchester Active Travel Strategy (Feb 2023), which supports our residents to make walking and cycling the natural choice for shorter journeys and encourages active travel and public transport to be part of our residents’ daily life. Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “The development of the former Central Retail Park presents a number of key opportunities to deliver a really impactful programme of regeneration – increasing access to quality public green space, creating a green route to open up and celebrate Cotton Field Park, creating a highly sustainable office space that will support thousands of new jobs in an ecosystem that encourages business growth, and all while bringing an eyesore of a brownfield site back into constructive use. “The feedback we received through the recent consultation has been a helpful guide in further developing the framework plan for bringing the former retail park back into use – and importantly the investment in a new public green space in our city centre, complementing Mayfield nearby, Electric Park, Cotton Field Park and the upcoming transformation of Ancoats Green.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading commercial property developer, Stoford, has begun the second and final phase of development at a multimillion pound logistics and manufacturing scheme in the West Midlands. Stoford has commenced construction of two new Grade A warehouse buildings that will deliver almost 450,000 sq ft of logistics accommodation at Redditch Gateway, near Junction 3 of the M42, south of Birmingham. The prime logistics assets have been forward funded by specialist European independent real estate investor, Blackbrook, which will acquire the freehold interest in both new developments upon their completion in Q4 2023. The new units will comprise 160,208 sq ft and 286,328 sq ft respectively and are being built on the southern parcel of the 78-acre Redditch Gateway site. They have been designed to meet the widest of occupier demands with 50 kN/m2 floor loading capacities and 15m clear heights, as well as access to high-power supplies of 9.5MVA, more than six times the institutional standard. Stoford is targeting net zero carbon in operation for both buildings, as well as BREEAM Excellent and an EPC ‘A’ rating. Winvic Construction has been appointed as contractor to deliver the works. Stoford Joint Managing Director, Dan Gallagher said: “We are developing two highly specified logistics assets with Blackbrook, that will offer significant benefits to occupiers in terms of connectivity, power supply and future-proof ESG credentials. “Redditch Gateway is an exciting logistics manufacturing development in a key distribution area that is serving demand in a supply constrained regional marketplace.” Jon Strang, Managing Director of Blackbrook, said: “We’re delighted with Stoford’s progress on this project and to be closer to bringing two new logistic facilities to the market. Both assets boast a high power supply and are being built to the highest sustainability standards, making them high in demand and perfectly aligned with Blackbrook’s strategy to develop future-proof supply chain infrastructure.” Gary Woodman, Chief Executive of the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “It is brilliant news to see construction start on the new units at the Redditch Gateway site. Redditch Gateway is one of Worcestershire’s major commercial property developments, part of our 2040 Plan for Growth, to provide more commercial space for businesses. “This development is helping to attract businesses to the region, boosting local jobs and crucially the economy for Worcestershire.” Anita Bhalla, Interim Chair of GBSLEP, said: “This latest development demonstrates how our £1.8 million funding towards Redditch Gateway has unlocked a site which continues to deliver developments in the area. This latest scheme will generate jobs which will support the inclusive and sustainable economic growth of the local economy. This investment demonstrates how GBSLEP’s unique structure of bringing public, private and academic leaders together to make locally informed decisions creates opportunities for our businesses and communities.” Leader of Redditch Borough Council, Cllr Matt Dormer, said: “We have to look to the future and not only will these units attract highly specialised companies, creating jobs for our residents, they have zero carbon credentials which is important to this Council and the environment. This Council promised progress – and we are delivering.” Tim Davies, Senior Development Manager, Homes England, said: “Stoford have been working with us and partners to deliver this site for almost ten years. Having dealt with numerous challenges to be able to commence construction of these two units is testament to their capability and capacity.” Redditch Gateway is located on the eastern fringes of Redditch, just 18 miles from Birmingham Airport and with convenient access to the national motorway network via J2 and J3 of the M42. Phase one of the scheme saw the development of a new 534,000 sq ft warehouse building that was pre-let to Amazon and included a £6.5 million investment in infrastructure works and a signalised traffic junction. Stoford is development partner for Redditch Gateway South, working alongside landowners, The Gorcott Trust and Homes England. For more information, please contact retained marketing agents, DTRE and Savills. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading contactor, GRAHAM, has invested in enhanced fire awareness training for more than 100 of its employees in partnership with Nullifire, a fire stopping solutions and intumescent coatings manufacturer, part of parent brand CPG UK Ltd. Designed and managed by Area Sales Manager for Fire Protection at CPG UK, Colin Green, the in-depth training has been developed specifically for GRAHAM to upskill its team with fire prevention and protection information to use in day-to-day activity. Team members from all levels of the business, including directors, quantity surveyors, site managers and planners, have now completed the training which was facilitated both in an office and on-site environment for maximum value. Participants have been actively involved in sessions to help develop an understanding of each other’s priorities and experiences, improving everyone’s awareness of fire risks across different disciplines and on-site environments. Andrzej Suwik, who leads the Quality team at GRAHAM Building North division, said: “The devastating impact of fire has been brought to a head over the last five years following the tragic incident at Grenfell Tower and subsequent legislation changes. “We want to ensure that our employees are confident in understanding the preventative measures that can be put in place across the business at all levels to mitigate any serious issues caused by fire. GRAHAM has significantly invested in the roll-out of Nullifire training which was developed specifically for our team, and we are proud to be one of the first contractors to deliver such high-level support.” Colin Green, Area Sales Manager for Fire Protection at CPG UK, said: “Working with the GRAHAM team has been a valuable experience, both to help improve its team’s knowledge but also for me to learn more about specific risks within the construction sector. Nullifire developed a bespoke package that ensured we provided practical advice that was relatable to real-life situations. “Our training is centred around raising awareness and encouraging businesses to think of fire stopping earlier subsequently allowing better solutions, improving time and money efficiency, and saving lives.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Methodology for calculating carbon is shared by Groundforce Shorco. Specialist shoring supplier Groundforce Shorco has developed a carbon calculator for temporary works and is making it available not just for customers but the shoring industry as a whole. This altruistic offer is part of the Vp plc subsidiary’s commitment to reaching net zero by 2050 and came into effect from March 2023, when it began including embodied carbon estimates, comprising an embodied carbon component and a transport component, on all temporary works designs. Carbon reporting for the design of permanent structures has already been reasonably well adopted by the industry, and embodied carbon databases are now justly established. However, for temporary works, this presented Groundforce Shorco and its customers with a unique challenge. Oliver J. Smith, Head of Engineering Design at Groundforce Shorco, explained that temporary works do not have the same impact as a permanent part of the structure as the products and components are often re-used, so it is already appreciated there is a sustainable element. If the total embodied carbon for a brace or strut was calculated, this would be counted numerous times on each site it visits. But although they are re-used, this does not mean they are zero carbon either. They still need counting, because if they were not being used in such projects, they would likely never have been produced at all. So, Groundforce Shorco has developed a methodology that allows its customers to estimate their ‘share’ of the embodied carbon for what they are hiring, based on how long they hire it for. To do this, the company considers the embodied carbon in its entire fleet, its life expectancy and its average utilisation, to calculate a weekly C02e per unit weight of either steel or aluminium. This can then easily be multiplied by the number of weeks on hire to provide a total embodied C02e which can be combined with the quoted transportation C02e to provide them with a value for use in their project. They then find that for very short duration hires, the bulk of the C02e sits within transport, and as the hire duration increases, more of the impact comes from the product itself. Groundforce Shorco is now making freely available, a detailed technical guide for the calculation, sharing the methodology, the data, the assumptions made, and the reasoning behind it. Oliver J Smith said: “This methodology is free to access for all and we would like to encourage others in the fleet rental and temporary works markets to consider this when establishing methods for C02e calculations. We believe this is a positive step in leading to sustainable improvements within our industry and would welcome an open dialogue to develop this further. “Calculating the carbon footprint of the projects we work on is essential to reducing our impact on our planet. It allows us to make informed decisions about what we will build and how we will build it to meet the pressing need to cut carbon emissions across the world.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Regenda Group, a regeneration organisation which includes M&Y Maintenance and Construction, has acquired Ecogee Ltd. Ecogee, is an energy, retrofit and construction specialist, providing green solutions for Local Authorities, social housing providers, and private developers. Originally established in 2012 the company was set up in response to the Government’s energy efficiency programme, to tackle fuel poverty and reduce carbon emissions. Ecogee provides both retrofit and new build solutions including; fabric insulation, ventilation systems, and renewable technologies such as air source heat pumps and solar panels. Ecogee is also an accredited provider of the government ECO grants scheme, which provides eligible households with energy-saving improvements in the home. With the National Housing Federation estimating that homes are responsible for about a fifth of all greenhouse gas emissions in the UK, a lot of work is to be done if housing associations are to meet the government’s ambition of carbon neutral by 2050. Within that aim is a target to ensure all existing homes have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) band C or above and new build homes are EPC band A. The incorporation of Ecogee into the Regenda Group will be overseen by Gill Kelly, Managing Director of M&Y Construction and Maintenance, which will work in close partnership with Ecogee. Gill commented, “As a regeneration group which includes a Housing Association, we understand the pressure of fuel poverty and the shortage of great contractors in the market to service the growing demand for energy efficiency works. By bringing the expertise of Ecogee into the Regenda Group we are confident that we can increase the capacity within the supply chain to deliver energy-efficient improvement works to existing and new clients”. Ecogee Managing Director Brendan Helm said: “The Regenda Group is well known for its role in regeneration and making a positive impact in local communities and we share the same values at Ecogee. We recognise that the opportunity to join forces, will enhance the impact we are making towards the planet and in people’s pockets through our offer”. Find out more about Ecogee here: Eco Gee Ltd Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Construction Industry Collective Voice (CICV) has welcomed another major organisation to its ranks, as the successful collective continues to offer a wealth of practical support and guidance to Scotland’s building sector. The National Association of Shopfitters (NAS) becomes the first new full CICV member of 2023 and the 29th overall, adding its weight to the collective’s existing wealth of experience and influence. Alan Wilson, CICV Chair and Managing Director of electrical trade association SELECT, said: “We are delighted to welcome the NAS, which is a trusted professional representative body with a membership spanning the length and breadth of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. “It is very gratifying that the CICV is still being sought out by organisations within the sector who want to play their part in creating a greener, fairer and more inclusive industry. “The NAS’s decision to join follows our latest initiatives including an open source Best Practice Guide and well-attended webinar, in which our experts provided information and real-life examples of how to enhance the workings of the entire contractual chain.” The NAS was established 104 years ago and, from humble beginnings, now represents a group of tried and tested contractors who work with and for each other. James Filus, Director of the NAS, said: “We are pleased to become part of an organisation which shares our ethos of working collectively in the common interest and we hope to be able to make a significant contribution to the CICV’s activities. “We are keen to bring our ideas to the table and to continue to foster the spirit of co-operation and collaboration which has proved to beneficial to the industry since the CICV was founded in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.” As well as its recent Best Practice Guide, the CICV is once again organising this year’s Green Home Festival, a five-day hybrid event as part of the official Edinburgh Festival Fringe, which will focus on topics of interest to both the industry and the general public. The CICV, which changed its name from the Construction Industry Coronavirus (CICV) Forum last year, is now made up of 29 trade associations, professional services bodies and companies. It has maintained a steady supply of information and practical advice to the sector as well as carrying out surveys, producing animations and posters, hosting webinars and maintaining close dialogue with Scottish Government ministers. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Construction works for a new housing development in Worksop, Nottinghamshire will soon be taking place. Leading midlands-based contractor, G F Tomlinson, has been appointed to construct and design 90 houses on the vacant site off Radford Street, which has been procured through the Pagabo Framework for Major Construction Works. The Manton Development will comprise of a mix of two, three and four-bedroom houses, built over two and three-storeys, as well as two-bedroom bungalows. The site will also include green and open spaces, cycle routes and places for play and social interaction. All homes will benefit from energy efficient air source heat pumps, solar panels, highly insulated walls, floors, and roofs, and in addition – electrical vehicle charging points will be installed for residents, contributing to the reduction of fossil fuel usage. Planning permission was originally granted in spring 2019 for the site, with future plans for the project to seek further permission for a scheme of one and two-bedroom apartments – taking the final development up to approximately 120 homes. The first phase of the build will see the council deliver its very first low-carbon modular homes which form a key part of its vision to increase housing stock, contribute to net zero ambitions, and encourage growth and investment within the local economy. Chris Flint, Managing Director at G F Tomlinson, said: “It’s fantastic to be working with Bassetlaw District Council on this high-profile development and we look forward to starting on the low carbon modular housing scheme in Worksop, which will see 90 homes brought to the market town. “The scheme forms a key part of the council’s vision to significantly transform the local economy, by encouraging growth and investment in the area, allowing more people to live and work in the region. We look forward to seeing the development take shape over the next few months.” Councillor Steve Scotthorne, Cabinet Member for Housing at Bassetlaw District Council, said: “This project will deliver a modern, innovative and energy efficient housing scheme that improves neighbourhoods, supports local jobs, and continues our ambition to increase the amount of Council Housing in our District. “This is the Council’s first modular home development, which will provide future residents with well insulated and energy efficient homes that are powered by low carbon energy, and work on this exciting first phase is expected to begin in June. “I am looking forward to seeing how this project grows over the coming months and we are delighted to be working with G F Tomlinson who has a fantastic track record of delivering projects of this kind.” To find out more about G F Tomlinson, visit: https://gftomlinson.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Amtico has refreshed its popular Click Smart luxury vinyl tile (LVT) collection. Featuring five new Scandinavian-inspired Woods, two fresh Stones and a Parquet option, the designs reflect the increasing demand for cleaner, contemporary tones in the build-to-rent (BTR) and purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) sectors. The loose lay, rigid core LVT features a robust locking mechanism that allows individual planks and tiles to be easily clicked together without the need for adhesive. The new Parquet option provides specifiers with even more design flexibility. Parquet is available in six colourways – including Hushed Oak, Scandi Oak, and Nordic Oak – making it easy to achieve a classic aesthetic that is quick and easy to install. Made with up to 20% recycled pre-consumer content, Click Smart’s rigid core technology ensures it is stronger and more resistant to expansion or contraction than other click LVT products. In addition, the flooring is less susceptible to indentation and movement, perfect for catering to the unique demands of the build-to-rent (BTR) and purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) sectors. The integrated underlay and robust locking mechanism also assist with quick and easy installation, while the 20dB impact sound reduction meets building regulations and is ideal for high-density living spaces where noise reduction is crucial. Click Smart is also suitable for underfloor heating systems that are embedded in screed or beneath a floating timber base. The new range of Click Smart products benefits from the same performance features as Amtico’s core LVT collections, including a 0.55mm wear layer and urethane coating. They are also 100% waterproof to ensure the planks and tiles won’t absorb water or swell/expand. Click Smart is supplied with a 10-year warranty and meets global accreditations including ‘Eurofins Indoor Air Comfort Gold’ and emission class M1 for building materials. For more information about Amtico and its LVT collections, please visit www.amtico.com/commercial. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The UK’s National Infrastructure Strategy sets out plans to transform UK infrastructure to support levelling up and help meet net-zero emissions by 2050. As part of this strategy, local councils were invited to bid for funding for infrastructure projects that would contribute towards meeting these objectives. One successful application was from Buckinghamshire Council, who secured funding from the UK Government under the ADEPT program to install new Victorian-style lamp posts in a selected area of Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. When the council needed help in designing and manufacturing new innovative lamp posts for the project, it called on specialist composites manufacturer, Exel Composites to help. Victorian-style lamp posts are strongly associated with the area of Aylesbury and the council wanted any new infrastructure to retain this aesthetic to help preserve the area’s heritage. At the same time, the council wanted to ensure that next generation, lightweight, and low maintenance materials were installed to ensure the longevity of the infrastructure. The requirement for the lamp posts was that they had to be Victorian-style in aesthetics and comply with ISO EN40 – Lighting Columns, which is the European design standard. The system also had to be modular, with a design that could vary in size, which is not possible with traditional steel lamp posts that are made in specific heights. It must also be lightweight, facilitating rapid installation times and minimizing road closures. It was desirable for the system to come equipped with electric vehicle (EV) charging capabilities. Upon successfully winning funding for its project, Buckinghamshire council discovered that its intended manufacturing partner could not deliver the desired Victorian-style lamp posts as it was a fabrication company that does not produce original products. This meant that it had to find a new manufacturing partner to move forward with. This is where Exel Composites came in, who proposed using composites to construct the main body of the lamp posts. Exel Composites’ UK Project Manager John Hartley explained, “When we began speaking to Buckinghamshire Council’s team about helping it deliver its new lamp post system, we started by conceptualising how the component parts would be designed. We opted for composite tubes manufactured using pull-winding. This manufacturing process allows us to align fibers at angles against the longitudinal direction to meet the desired overall mechanical properties. The tubes could then be joined together to make lamp posts of varying heights. “The composite tubes were manufactured at our factory in Finland and shipped to our facility in Runcorn, UK where the machining, fabrication and assembly took place. The majority of the ancillary items, which made up roughly six per cent of the final lamp post structure, were moulded, however, a number of these were 3D printed, as we wanted to evaluate this technology for future use. Currently the cost for manufacturing via this route in prohibitively expensive for mass production. However, as the technology evolves, it could potentially become a viable alternative. The Victorian-style lanterns used in the lamp post system were modified by lighting infrastructure specialist, enLIGHT to be fully remote controlled using a cloud-based system. Furthermore, each lamp post has its own unique GPS reference, so they can be remote controlled on an individual basis. Hartley continued, “As existing software available commercially was too inflexible to meet our needs, we developed our own spreadsheet calculations for evaluating the performance and to validate that the proposed design would meet the ISO EN40 requirements. Furthermore, finite element analysis was undertaken, this allowed us to validate our computerizations worked and highlight any local stress markers that might occur on the lamp post. Finally, we had the Lamp posts tested and certified at Lloyds British Testing. “We modelled all our designs using 3D CAD modelling, with all amends reviewed and approved by the council’s team. With an agreed design that was validated using our spreadsheet and FEA analysis, we could develop a prototype lamp post, which we presented to the council’s team. We then went through a review process, which involved a few minor amends to the design, such as making it slimmer to match more closely the existing steel lamppost at the finally selected designated installation location, before producing a final lamp post that met all the council’s requirements, including the desired add-on of built-in EV charging capabilities. “While the composite solution we provided does not compete with traditional steel lamp posts in terms of cost on a like-for-like basis, there are advantages in terms of total cost of ownership. Despite the higher upfront costs, the modular composites lamp posts are faster and easier to install and require less ongoing maintenance, which means ongoing costs are significantly reduced. “Exel Composites has now overseen the installation of all of the 170 agreed lamp posts in the area and have entered the monitoring and evaluation period, which will finish in 2023” concluded Hartley. Ian Frazer Fox, Street Lighting Manager at Buckinghamshire council, added, “Exel Composites was able to create an innovative composite lamp post system that met all our requirements while preserving the Victorian aesthetic that the area is known for. “Working through COVID-19 lockdowns limited in-person meetings, but Exel’s team kept us updated on a weekly basis, with regular review meetings taking place using Microsoft Teams and Monday.com for saving and sharing all relevant files and documentation. While there is nothing planned for the immediate future, we would be more than happy to engage Exel’s services again on any future infrastructure projects that may arise,” concluded Fox. To find out more about Exel Composites’ expertise in infrastructure applications, visit https://exelcomposites.com/composite-solutions/composites-in-infrastructure-applications/. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Following an investigation carried out by Stockport Trading Standards and the HSE, UK Manager for Asbestos Boss Ltd, Daniel Cockcroft, has been brought to justice with the help of the CITB Quality & Standards Team. Stockport Trading Standards and the HSE were first alerted to the rogue traders back in September 2021, when the company removed the asbestos insulating board from a domestic garage, with little to no control measures in place. The investigation later revealed several similar cases, with one case deemed such poor quality that the site owners received quotes up to £64,000 to put it right. As part of the investigation, Stockport Trading Standards contacted CITB in December 2021 to run checks against documentation Mr Cockcroft produced, claiming to hold a CITB Site Safety Plus qualification. Ian Sidney, CITB’s Fraud Manager, investigated and confirmed that Mr Cockcroft did not hold any form of CSCS card or Site Safety Plus qualification. Asbestos Boss Ltd were not only producing counterfeit documents but also using an unauthorised CITB logo on their website to reel customers into thinking they had achieved accreditation. In Manchester Magistrates Court, Judge Begley remarked that the nature and gravity of Mr Cockcroft’s offending was plain to see and that he was central to the offences. He then stated that he considered Mr Cockcroft’s actions to be “rogue trading at its worst.” He made it clear that he considered the implications for serious health issues in the future from exposures caused by Mr Cockcroft to be an aggravating feature in the case. CITB provided a witness statement to the case, producing evidence of the findings and details of the trademarks held by CITB. Following this, Stockport Trading Standards brought a charge of fraud by false representation contrary to section 1(2)(a) of the Fraud Act 2006 against the company and directors in relation to the falsifying of documents with the intent to deceive, as well as unauthorised use of trade and accreditation logos, designed to give an impression of competence. Judge Begley said that the quality and weight of evidence against Asbestos Boss Ltd was overwhelming, and he found them guilty of all charges. Mr Cockcroft was sentenced to six months imprisonment for the HSE charges and a further four months for the Trading Standards offence relating to fraud and deception. Chris Simpson, CITB Head of Quality and Standards, said: “Falsifying health and safety qualifications means that the holder has not demonstrated the professional competence and awareness of health and safety legislation that is required for them to work safely in the construction industry. We are committed to identifying and stamping out any kind of cheating or deception to ensure that members of the public are kept safe, with an industry that they can rely on. “CITB welcomes the sentencing which sends a clear message to individuals and companies flouting health and safety regulations that we will not in any way tolerate this, and that we will work with local authorities, Trading Standards and the HSE to counter rogue traders.” Anyone who has information can report their concerns confidentially to Trading Standards, HSE or CITB via report.it@citb.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
