Keon Homes has sealed a quartet of new land deals worth over £28m to get 2024 off to a flying start. One of the fastest growing developers of affordable housing and Extra Care schemes has built on a record-breaking 2023 by unlocking three crucial sites in Coventry, Nuneaton and Wolverhampton
Site of former police station on Chiswick High Road to be redeveloped into 50-unit retirement community Birchgrove, the UK’s leading provider of rented retirement homes, has secured planning permission from Hounslow Council to redevelop the site of a former police station on Chiswick High Street into a fifty-unit retirement living
Barberry Group, a prominent commercial property developer, has recently secured a significant land deal for the development of a cutting-edge advanced manufacturing unit in Ansty, Coventry. The £10.4 million project is set to bring a 50,750 sq ft industrial unit to life at Ansty Park, a renowned hub for research,
Boroughs in the capital warn they face a funding shortfall of at least £400m in 2024-25, as MPs prepare to vote on the local government finance settlement on Wednesday [1]. The cross-party London Councils group says that despite a 5.5% real-terms increase in their core spending power in the settlement,
Southwark Council, Ledbury Estate residents and the council’s development partner Higgins Partnerships celebrated the start of the first phase of building works at Ledbury Estate at a ground breaking ceremony on Monday 5 February 2024. The first phase of construction works is taking place on the site of the former
Three young joiners are following in their relatives’ footsteps to build successful careers in construction thanks to their Apprenticeship schemes with Harron Homes. This National Apprenticeship Week (5th-11th), the apprentices are calling for other young people to consider this route into the industry. Harron Homes’ passion for building quality homes
Acis Group and MRI Software have won a prestigious award in the ‘Most Innovative Property Service’ category at the National Housing Maintenance Federation (NHMF) Awards 2024 held on January 23. The annual conference is devoted to housing maintenance and is run by asset management professionals. Acis Group, is a prominent
Kingspan, the global leader in high-performance insulation and building envelope solutions, is delighted to have once again been awarded a coveted position on the Climate Change ‘A List’, published by CDP. The global environmental non-profit measures corporate transparency and performance on climate change on behalf of over 740 financial institutions
Boughton – the UK’s leading natural growing media supplier – is celebrating after its BLS Plus Topsoil was recognised as a finalist at the 2024 Society of Garden Designer (SGD) Awards in the brand-new Sustainable Product of the Year category. It was an exciting evening for Boughton at the SGD
A major fire at an industrial estate in Bridgend destroyed a huge 20,000m2 building used largely for warehousing, sending plumes of smoke into the surrounding area. One of the largest fires in Europe in recent times, the scale of the blaze was immense, impacting a number of businesses and highlighting
Keon Homes has sealed a quartet of new land deals worth over £28m to get 2024 off to a flying start. One of the fastest growing developers of affordable housing and Extra Care schemes has built on a record-breaking 2023 by unlocking three crucial sites in Coventry, Nuneaton and Wolverhampton that will see it build a 150-strong mixture of houses and apartments. The Burntwood-based company, which has taken on 14 new people to cope with the increase in demand, has also agreed its first partnership with Birmingham Municipal Housing Trust. This will see it construct 65 new homes, a sports pavilion and football pitches for the community as part of the Local Authorities “Our Future City” plans. Matt Beckley, Head of Development at Keon Homes, commented: “These latest deals underline our ability to find land, securing planning and then, using strong relationships with housing associations, develop schemes that makes a real difference to local people. “The region is crying out for more affordable housing, and, with these recent wins, we are now programmed to start eight sites this year, delivering 300 new homes in total. “This will include working with our existing partners, such as Midland Heart and Walsall Housing Group, not to mention first projects for the Black Country Housing Group, Birmingham Municipal Housing Trust and Citizen Housing.” He continued: “This is more just than bricks and mortar. We are using the latest construction techniques and the strength of our local supply chain to regenerate brownfield sites into communities where individuals, couples and families can enjoy living.” 2023 was a transformational year for Keon Homes, with the company celebrating its 5th birthday and securing its first two Extra Care schemes. This started with a £15m deal with Wrekin Housing Group to deliver a scheme of 70 properties and a host of communal facilities. Situated just a ten-minute walk into Newport, Queenswood is set to provide high quality living space and wraparound care and support for people over the age of 55, offering a mix of one and two-bed apartments, private gardens, and a café. This was quickly followed by the £28m ‘Streethay’ development in Lichfield with Sanctuary Group, a project that will see the company build 138 plots in total, comprising 60 bungalows and a 78-bed Extra Care scheme. Matt went on to add: “Our mission is all about ‘Doing the Right Thing’ and that flows throughout the business, from the way we treat our staff and the way we develop our supply chains to the way we forge exceptionally strong partnerships with Housing Associations and our other client partners. “This has seen us successfully complete 14 sites and 400 plots in just five years, with a secured £103m pipeline of deals in place. Importantly, in the most recent Best Workplaces List survey, 100% of Keon Homes employees stated that we are a great place to work.” Warren Bolton, Director at Keon Homes, concluded: “Our sector is experiencing a raft of challenges and there will be some casualties this year. That is why we are seeing strong demand for our services, as we have strong financial backing and a proven track record of delivering high quality affordable housing and extra care schemes.” For further information, please visit www.keonhomes.co.uk or follow Keon Homes on its social channels. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Site of former police station on Chiswick High Road to be redeveloped into 50-unit retirement community Birchgrove, the UK’s leading provider of rented retirement homes, has secured planning permission from Hounslow Council to redevelop the site of a former police station on Chiswick High Street into a fifty-unit retirement living community. Originally opened in 1972, the police station at 209-211 Chiswick High Road closed in 2021 and was sold by the Metropolitan Police to Birchgrove in April 2022. Redevelopment plans were originally submitted later that year, and, following two public consultations, planning permission has now been granted. The new high-quality one and two-bed self-contained rented apartments will be available to rent to those aged 65 and over, with facilities including a 24-hour concierge service, restaurant, licenced bar, courtyard garden and wellness suite. The site has been designed to benefit the wider local community, with a dedicated space on the ground floor available for local groups, charities and individuals to hire, as well as for the police to hold local resident meetings. The police will also be provided with a separate dedicated facilities space which will enable officers to charge their body-worn cameras, iPads and radios, and means a police base will be re-established on the High Road following the station’s closure. The scheme will also provide a £400,000 contribution towards affordable housing in Hounslow, and has been assessed as highly sustainable – achieving a minimum 77% reduction in carbon emissions over the regulatory baseline. The approval of the new Birchgrove community comes as demand for retirement accommodation across Hounslow increases: based on the 2015 city-wide London plan, Hounslow has a target of 135 new specialist homes for elderly people per year, meaning the redevelopment of the police station site will play a vital role in tackling Hounslow’s retirement accommodation shortage. The approval also comes as demand for senior living rented accommodation continues to surge: according to the English Housing Survey, the number of pensioners in rented accommodation is set to double to over 1m in the next decade. Birchgrove currently operates three retirement communities across the South-East, with three further communities under construction and now available for rental off-plan, and three further London sites acquired (Chiswick, Hampton Court and Mill Hill). Honor Barratt, Chief Executive, Birchgrove said: “After almost two years of consultation we are thrilled to have secured planning permission, and I would like to thank everyone – including the council and local residents – for both their support and suggestions to ensure the development is the best it can be and does Chiswick justice.“All too often older people are shoved to the end of a cul-de-sac somewhere, but not here. With our development bang in the middle of Chiswick High Street, our residents will be able to flourish at the heart of the community.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Barberry Group, a prominent commercial property developer, has recently secured a significant land deal for the development of a cutting-edge advanced manufacturing unit in Ansty, Coventry. The £10.4 million project is set to bring a 50,750 sq ft industrial unit to life at Ansty Park, a renowned hub for research, development, and high-tech manufacturing. The acquisition of the Viggen Way site from Homes England marks a strategic move by Barberry to contribute to the region’s demand for advanced manufacturing facilities. The proposed industrial unit is a testament to Barberry’s commitment to innovation and sustainability. With detailed planning consent obtained, the company plans to construct a ‘Best in Class’ manufacturing warehouse, adhering to exceptional ESG standards and targeting EPC A and BREEAM Excellent certifications. Ansty Park’s prime location, situated at the heart of the UK’s advanced manufacturing and logistics Centre, ensures convenient access to the motorway network, with major airports like Coventry, Birmingham, and East Midlands within a 40-minute drive. Jon Robinson, Development Director at Barberry, expressed excitement about the acquisition, emphasising the site’s potential to provide a substantial 1 MVA of power. The project aims to deliver an outstanding advanced manufacturing unit, available for built-to-suit occupier requirements on either a freehold or leasehold basis. Barberry 50, as the project is known, is anticipated to be completed within 12 months of terms agreement with an occupier. The development will be built to market-leading specifications, ideal for research and development or advanced manufacturing businesses, with a keen focus on sustainability, including BREEAM Excellent and EPC A standards. Barberry’s significant investment in Ansty Park underscores its ongoing commitment to addressing the shortage of new, high-quality manufacturing accommodation in the West Midlands. The company’s extensive portfolio in delivering advanced manufacturing facilities, coupled with its strategic land holdings and growing commercial and residential portfolio, solidifies Barberry’s position as a key player in shaping the region’s economic landscape. Barberry Wins Commercial Development of the Year at the West Midlands Property Awards In a remarkable achievement, Barberry Group has clinched the coveted Commercial Development of the Year award at the West Midlands Property Awards. The prestigious accolade, presented by Insider Media on 23rd November, was in recognition of Barberry’s exemplary speculative development, Wolf Pack, situated in Hilton Cross Business Park, Wolverhampton. Wolf Pack, consisting of three self-contained detached buildings, is a high-profile prime manufacturing and logistics development designed to market-leading specifications. The project holds planning permission for manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution uses. The success of Wolf Pack was lauded at the awards ceremony for its exceptional performance in areas such as ESG, economic outputs, job creation, and delivery speed, including securing two pre-lettings. The West Midlands Property Awards celebrated outstanding achievements in the built environment, acknowledging individuals, businesses, and organisations that have made significant contributions to the region’s development. Barberry’s recognition for Commercial Development of the Year further solidifies its position as an industry leader, showcasing its commitment to excellence and innovation in the West Midlands’ property sector. Further details can be found here: wolfpack-j1m54.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Boroughs in the capital warn they face a funding shortfall of at least £400m in 2024-25, as MPs prepare to vote on the local government finance settlement on Wednesday [1]. The cross-party London Councils group says that despite a 5.5% real-terms increase in their core spending power in the settlement, boroughs will continue to grapple with an “enormous” funding gap due to service pressures and costs. The £400m funding shortfall is roughly the same amount as London boroughs collectively spend on homelessness in a single year. London Councils highlights the following: London Councils says the spate of recent warnings of financial failure across local government is the result of many years of underfunding – with boroughs in the capital badly affected. The increased frequency of Section 114 notices in the last year should not be taken lightly and more are likely if the sector does not receive further funding support [2]. Last week the LUHC committee’s report on financial distress in local authorities urged ministers to address systemic underfunding in local government and tackle the £4bn gap in council finances nationally. Research from the Institute for Fiscal Studies think-tank found an estimated 17% gap between funding need and the actual levels of local government funding in London. This was by far the largest gap of any region in England. Outer London boroughs face a particularly tough outlook as they are amongst the lowest funded per capita in the country, with growing populations who are becoming more deprived. London Councils calculates the 2024-25 finance settlement will leave boroughs’ overall resources 15% lower in real terms than in 2010. Demand for services has risen substantially, as the capital’s population has grown by 800,000 during that period. Boroughs’ spending power per Londoner has decreased by around 30% in real terms since 2010. Cllr Claire Holland, Deputy Chair of London Councils, said: “Boroughs will continue to face a bleak financial outlook for the foreseeable future. “The increase in funding set out in the government’s finance settlement will not be enough to address the enormous funding gap we are grappling with. Massive pressures on local services, skyrocketing costs, and years of inadequate funding have left town hall finances teetering on a cliff edge. “It is in no one’s interests for a council to find itself in a Section 114 situation. Londoners want stability for their local services. We will continue to urge ministers to increase funding support and to work with us in making the local government finance system fairer and more sustainable.” London Councils is calling for the upcoming Spring Budget on 6 March to address the financial pressures facing boroughs. London Councils’ priorities for the government include: More information can be found in London Councils’ consultation response to the local government finance settlement, which is available here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Southwark Council, Ledbury Estate residents and the council’s development partner Higgins Partnerships celebrated the start of the first phase of building works at Ledbury Estate at a ground breaking ceremony on Monday 5 February 2024. The first phase of construction works is taking place on the site of the former Bromyard House and will provide 80 new homes across two blocks, made up of 45 council homes, 15 shared ownership homes and 20 homes for private sale. The new council homes will be prioritised for former residents who had to vacate their previous homes due to safety issues, and the shared ownership homes will be designated for leaseholders of the Ledbury towers. The start of these building works marks a key milestone in the redevelopment of the whole of Ledbury Estate, which the council has been working closely with local residents on for many years. The redevelopment was proposed after four towers on the estate, built in the 1960s, were identified as having serious structural and fire safety issues. Following extensive consultation Ledbury Estate residents voted in favour of demolishing the four blocks and providing modern high-quality new homes and a range of other improvements to the estate. Cllr Helen Dennis, Cabinet Member for New Homes and Sustainable Development, said, “I’m so thrilled to see works get underway on this estate – it’s a really exciting marker in the long journey we have been on with residents to replace the previous homes in the towers with the fire safe, high-quality new homes our residents deserve. “Today we can celebrate being one step closer to Ledbury residents moving back onto the estate they know and love and bringing this wonderfully tight-knit community back together. “Thank you to all the residents who have worked so closely with us on this and helped to co-design a wonderful redevelopment which will transform the lives of everyone on this estate”. Dominic Higgins, Chief Operating Officer for Higgins Group comments, “We are delighted to be marking this important milestone on site with residents and Southwark Council. “As well as delivering these high quality new homes for local residents, we are committed to delivering community engagement and social value and ensuring we leave a lasting legacy for generations to come. “As work progresses, we will be working with the local community to provide training and employment opportunities as well supporting social value opportunities and providing volunteering hours to community projects.” In total, the Ledbury Estate redevelopment will provide 340 new homes, 224 of which will be council homes to replace those from the old towers. The council will also build an additional 36 new council homes, taking the total to 260 council homes, as well as 15 shared ownership homes and 75 homes for private sale. The wider neighbourhood will also benefit from landscaping and new outdoor communal areas with a large, multi-purpose garden courtyard with space for community growing, a play area and tree-lined paths creating new pedestrian and cycle friendly connections between the Old Kent Road, Pencraig Way and Bird in Bush Park to the south-west. The first phase of building works is expected to complete in spring 2026 and the entire Ledbury Estate redevelopment is expected to be finished by 2030. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Three young joiners are following in their relatives’ footsteps to build successful careers in construction thanks to their Apprenticeship schemes with Harron Homes. This National Apprenticeship Week (5th-11th), the apprentices are calling for other young people to consider this route into the industry. Harron Homes’ passion for building quality homes means the business is keen to get apprentices stuck in with practical on-site work as soon as possible. Wickersley-born Bradley Panks, aged 20, is currently undertaking the second year of his joinery apprenticeship. His grandfather also works in the construction sector, and Bradley was inspired to follow in his footsteps by embarking on the apprenticeship scheme. The level 2 Joinery diploma operates as a ‘day-release course,’ with work at Harron Homes North Midlands’ De Maulay Manor site in Doncaster balanced with one day per week spent at Rotherham College. The course, which is studied over three years, is designed to equip people new to the industry with all the crucial skills for the job. “Harron is great because they had me working on site really quickly,” says Bradley. “College is useful, but there are some on-site scenarios that a college course simply can’t predict. Being able to get some real-time experience has significantly benefited my progress, and it’s also improved my confidence. In Nottinghamshire, at Harron Homes’ The Brambles development in Retford, Kieran Armes, 17, is in his first year of an apprenticeship with Harron Homes North Midlands. Kieran is also on a day-release course, studying at Nottingham College. Kieran’s father Paul works in construction and has been an inspiration to the young apprentice. A Nottinghamshire local himself, Kieran has settled right in to his joinery apprenticeship. “I think one of the most beneficial aspects of the whole thing is that you learn your way around problems in real time,” says Kieran. “Getting to grips with that kind of situation requires practice within an unpredictable and busy environment, which is what the apprenticeship provides. “I’m proud to become a part of the build process and would encourage anyone considering an apprenticeship to go for it.” In Huddersfield, at Harron’s Highfield Manor development in Fixby, 17-year-old Connor Simpson has started his three-year joinery apprenticeship, with one day per week spent at Leeds College of Building. Like Kieran, Connor is also following in the footsteps of his father Daniel, who is a Site Carpenter for Harron Homes, and the father and son often work together as a team. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Acis Group and MRI Software have won a prestigious award in the ‘Most Innovative Property Service’ category at the National Housing Maintenance Federation (NHMF) Awards 2024 held on January 23. The annual conference is devoted to housing maintenance and is run by asset management professionals. Acis Group, is a prominent housing, education, and skills provider operating in Lincolnshire, South Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, and Derbyshire. The award recognises the success of its collaborative partnership with MRI Software, a provider of real estate software solutions, and the impact it has had on the repair and maintenance sector. The partnership named ‘Operative Autonomy,’ has redefined the approach to in-house engineers’ responses to repairs and maintenance tasks, achieving remarkable results in a mere 12-month period. This initiative has transformed operational efficiency and made a positive impact on customer satisfaction. “This award truly celebrates the spirit of innovation and collaboration that defines our partnership with MRI Software,” remarked Greg Bacon, Chief Executive of Acis. “Together, we have embarked on a journey to revolutionise repairs and maintenance, empowering our in-house engineers to proactively address challenges and deliver exceptional outcomes for our customers. Congratulations to everyone involved on this well-deserved recognition.” The success of the partnership is evident in the improvement in customer satisfaction metrics. Since the introduction of ‘Operative Autonomy’, Acis has witnessed a significant reduction in missed appointment compensations and achieved an impressive 95% overall job satisfaction rate. Real-time feedback from customers is collected through monthly surveys via text and shows the positive impact of the partnership on enhancing their customer experience. “We are thrilled to have partnered with Acis in driving innovation and excellence in property maintenance,” said Lorna Given, Director of Product Management at MRI Software. “The ‘Operative Autonomy’ initiative has not only streamlined operations but has also demonstrated our collective commitment to delivering exceptional services and driving positive change in property management. This award is a testament to the dedication and hard work of both teams.” For more information about Acis Group and how we support our customers visit www.acisgroup.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Kingspan, the global leader in high-performance insulation and building envelope solutions, is delighted to have once again been awarded a coveted position on the Climate Change ‘A List’, published by CDP. The global environmental non-profit measures corporate transparency and performance on climate change on behalf of over 740 financial institutions with over US$136 trillion in assets. Of the 21,000 companies that were scored by CDP, Kingspan was one of just 346 to make the 2023 CDP Climate Change A List. Figures published by CDP also showed that only 10% of disclosing companies – Kingspan included – have renewable energy consumption targets established.1 CDP’s annual environmental reporting and disclosure assessment encourages companies to be transparent about their environmental impacts, risks and progress and provide data that demonstrate action and performance against climate-related targets. Those on the ‘A List’ have been recognised by CDP for their comprehensive climate strategies and targets and must also achieve a minimum of 4.2% emissions reductions annually. Bianca Wong, Global Head of Sustainability at Kingspan Group, said: “To limit global temperature rise to 1.5⁰C by the end of this century and achieve a net-zero emissions future, we all have a responsibility to be transparent about our progress and what we are doing to play our part. We have set ambitious 1.5⁰C-aligned GHG emissions reduction targets within our 10-year Planet Passionate programme. Our dedicated teams across our business work tirelessly to make continued annual progress towards our goals and our position on the CDP A List is fantastic recognition of this dedication and our journey so far.” In a bid to achieve net-zero carbon manufacturing by 2030, Kingspan has already achieved a 26% absolute reduction in its scope 1 and 2 emissions since 2020 and has made significant strides again in 2023, with the latest results soon to be published in its annual Planet Passionate report. The company also aims to reduce the CO2 intensity of its primary supply chain partners by 50% by 2030. This climate ambition is aligned with a 1.5⁰C trajectory and places increased emphasis on emissions reduction over offsetting, with targets approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The company also has measurable targets on harvesting rainwater, eliminating waste to landfill, increasing use of recycled materials and more. The number of companies choosing to disclose their sustainability targets and performance is on the rise as stakeholders seek confidence that companies are acting with longevity in mind. In 2023, CDP saw the volume of disclosures increase by 24% – a promising sign that more companies are taking all-important steps to close the gap between ambition and action.2 More information about Kingspan’s Planet Passionate programme can be viewed on the Kingspan Group website here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Boughton – the UK’s leading natural growing media supplier – is celebrating after its BLS Plus Topsoil was recognised as a finalist at the 2024 Society of Garden Designer (SGD) Awards in the brand-new Sustainable Product of the Year category. It was an exciting evening for Boughton at the SGD awards in London last night (February 2nd), where its top-performing BLS Plus – Natural Topsoil was shortlisted for the Sustainable Product of the Year Award, with the brand-new category making its debut exclusively at the 2024 event. Open to affiliated business partners only, the award was created to put the spotlight on “known or innovative products manufactured with renewable or largely recycled or reused materials, which minimise or reverse detrimental environmental impact during production and consider the product’s entire life cycle including how it is recycled/ repurposed at the end of its life.” Boughton’s BLS Plus Topsoil really resonated with this year’s judging panel, who shortlisted the product in the top three. Repurposed, single-source, screened and 100% natural, and usually of a medium clay loam classification, BLS Plus enjoys added natural, organic, vegetative digestate bi-product to create a premium topsoil. Rich in organic matter content and benefitting from excellent moisture and nutrient retention capabilities, BLS Plus is best suited to large scale, ground level, planting projects. Simon Hedley, Managing Director at Boughton said: “We are delighted to have our BLS Plus Topsoil named as a finalist for the Sustainable Product of the Year. It was a real honour to be shortlisted during the category’s inaugural year and we are absolutely over the moon.” Simon continued: “We are huge advocates for the use of natural soils and the value they bring to landscaping projects, so it is great to see our BLS Plus – Natural Topsoil in the spotlight and to receive recognition at such a prestigious awards event for our unwavering commitment to helping create sustainable and environmentally-responsible gardens and landscapes.” The celebration didn’t stop there for Boughton, as designer also Andy Sturgeon took home two awards on the night for his green roof gardens that formed part of the iconic redevelopment of the Battersea Power Station – a project that employed Boughton’s IN1 Intensive Green Roof Substrate. Described by judges as an “a quite extraordinary piece of work.” Andy’s Battersea Power Station roof gardens won both the UK International Roof, Podium or Raised Courtyard Gardens Award and the Grand Award. The judging panel said of the project, which features a cloud-like planting scheme, supported by Boughton’s green roof substrate: “The endeavour, scale of work and creativity are fantastic, and the execution is beautiful.” The awards were presented during a glittering ceremony on Friday, February 2 at the Landmark Hotel in London, with hundreds of industry peers in attendance to celebrate true innovation from the very best projects, designers, and products. To find out more about Boughton’s complete offering for the amenity, landscape and construction industries, please visit www.boughton.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A major fire at an industrial estate in Bridgend destroyed a huge 20,000m2 building used largely for warehousing, sending plumes of smoke into the surrounding area. One of the largest fires in Europe in recent times, the scale of the blaze was immense, impacting a number of businesses and highlighting gaps in fire safety measures. The devastating fire broke out on January 19th in a building largely housing a warehouse owned by the Owens Group. This was also home to a number of businesses ranging from a tyre company and storage facility to a company selling paper products, the building was completely destroyed. The blaze required 10 fire crews, four water carriers and two aerial ladder platforms from the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service who worked hard to contain it. Local residents had to contend with large plumes of smoke shortly after the fire broke out and there were also reports of explosions. Police have since opened an arson investigation. Thankfully, there were no reported injuries in the blaze but there will be repercussions for businesses within the warehouse, as well as adjacent businesses close to the main warehouse who lost access and power to their premises. There will also be disruption to all the other businesses that used the services of the affected companies. A training facility and a satellite operation of Bridgend College were also closed because of their proximity to the blaze. The impact on the local community and environment was significant with local road closures and nearby residents forced to close windows and doors. This former Sony factory was reportedly sold off in 2005 when the company ceased manufacturing televisions in Wales. It was then bought by a developer who turned it into units of varying sizes. There was no original change of use as it retained B1/B8 classification (i.e conceived as a factory/warehouse). It’s important to point out that unless the whole building was storage, automatic sprinklers would not have been required from a Building Regulations perspective. However, any partitions erected within the building to separate units and changing uses within the building were ineffective. It points to the fact that for such buildings the unit of control is the entire building and not a smaller compartment within it. The stark contrast between buildings equipped with sprinkler systems and those without becomes evident in the event of a fire. Recent statistics reveal the average cost of a large warehouse fire amounts to £5.9m1 and at least one warehouse fire occurring every working day in England alone. These figures underscore the critical importance for businesses to carefully consider the impact of fire and its devastating consequences. Quickly stopping the spread of fire when it is first detected is the best way to limit damage and minimise costs and impacts. Sprinklers have been shown to contain, control or extinguish fires in 99% of cases when caused to operate2. The affected business can be operational within hours, avoiding the economic and social costs. Fire incidents remain the primary cause of damage in warehouse buildings, and although the number of industrial fires may have decreased, the severity and cost of such incidents that do occur are on the rise. Implementing systems like sprinklers can effectively contain and extinguish fires, thereby safeguarding firefighters and preserving businesses, jobs, and the economy. This is why the Business Sprinkler Alliance campaigns for the inclusion of such sprinkler systems into warehousing units. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 1Fears pandemic-led e-commerce boom could spark rise in warehouse blazes 2Efficiency and Effectiveness of Sprinkler Systems in the United Kingdom: An Analysis from Fire Service Data – Optimal Economics May 2017
