Fivemiletown headquartered Paving and Building Products firm, AG, has reinforced its position as a market leader in sustainable construction through its latest carbon emissions data which shows a reduction in scope 1 and 2 emissions – despite a surge in production levels. The firm, which has manufacturing locations in Fivemiletown,
Birmingham will be Get Living’s eighth neighbourhood and marks their growing presence across the UK with a portfolio of over 10,000 homes The scheme is Watkin Jones’ largest build to rent development to date Get Living, the UK’s pioneer of large-scale build to rent neighbourhoods and Watkin Jones, the UK’s
Across the UK, the overwhelming majority people are crying out for help with their energy bills, claims Mike Foster, CEO of the not-for-profit trade body Energy and Utilities Alliance (EUA). Faced with a Price Cap increase on 54 per cent from 1st April. with many people finding their direct debits
Amazon Property, the leading London investor-developer run by CEO Charles Gourgey and COO Chris Lanitis, has committed, via Amazon Capital (the group’s private equity division), a £250 million real estate fund to invest in joint venture opportunities in the logistics, managed office solution, PBSA, Life Sciences and retirement sectors. Amazon
As a leading provider of affordable homes across the North West, Torus Developments is about to start its latest scheme in Standish, Wigan, which will see 155 new homes built at Hallbrook Gardens – Torus’ biggest investment in Wigan to date. With works starting on site with Seddon in the Spring,
FIS and The Worshipful Company of Plaisterers have joined forces to expand on the Plaisterers’ Training Awards, which traditionally covered plastering and drylining, to encompass the wider finishes and interiors sector. The new Training Awards will now recognise outstanding individuals and contributions made to recruiting, training and developing people in
International engineering, design and project management business Stantec has acquired Barton Willmore, the UK’s leading independent planning and design consultancy, in a deal advised on by the GS Verde Group. The deal underpins Stantec’s strategic growth plans, enhancing its offering of innovative master planning and urban design solutions that have
Property-connect.org was formed to respond to a direct need of property professionals within the construction/FM and built environments. Anyone within the industry from Planners, designers, architects, interior designers, and all trades within the building envelope. We meet Monthly at various locations throughout the UK, each event has its own Hosts
LEADING multi-disciplinary consultancy firm Pulse Consult has been appointed to lead a significant regeneration project of an old estate in the London Borough of Southwark. The Tustin Estate regeneration, located to the north of Old Kent Road, is part of Southwark Council’s commitment to creating 11,000 new council homes by
Leading Chartered Surveyor firm, Bruton Knowles, has played a fundamental role in enabling two significant flood defence schemes to progress. The firm has been retained to deliver land agent support by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and Conwy County Borough Council for crucial flood alleviation schemes in both South and North
Fivemiletown headquartered Paving and Building Products firm, AG, has reinforced its position as a market leader in sustainable construction through its latest carbon emissions data which shows a reduction in scope 1 and 2 emissions – despite a surge in production levels. The firm, which has manufacturing locations in Fivemiletown, Dungannon, Toome, Ballygawley and Carryduff, already has one of the lowest carbon footprints in the industry and is committed to reducing the environmental impact of its operations to an absolute minimum. Last year, the business reduced its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 10%, despite a 30% increase in production volumes as the company faced unprecedented demand for its products reinforcing its commitment to a greener future in construction. The specialist building products business previously switched to 100% renewable energy as well as utilising bio-LPG instead of the industry-standard LPG resulting in a carbon saving of 70% – equal to a person driving around the world three times. The business has also introduced electric and hybrid cars into their fleet with a goal of having a full hybrid/electric fleet by 2025. This was led by CEO Stephen Acheson with support from the firm’s net zero carbon team which was set up with the aim of reducing the company’s carbon footprint, as part of an energy strategy developed with a commitment to producing low carbon products. This is the latest in a series of sustainability initiatives created by AG which includes a longstanding dedication to producing a significant amount of their product range using recycled aggregates alongside locally quarried materials. As well as this, regular reviews of its systems and procedures ensure AG are constantly improving energy efficiency, which is monitored monthly in each facility, ranging from workshops with employees to the purchasing of equipment or goods with the lowest carbon footprint. Rodney Davidson, Commercial Director at AG said: “For many years, we have worked tirelessly to reduce our energy usage and we are delighted to see this reduction in our scope 1 and 2 emissions, especially during a time when production levels increased” CEO, Stephen Acheson added: “AG has a corporate social responsibility to be sustainable. We have adopted a long-term corporate philosophy that focuses on the wider message of lasting sustainable reductions in energy and water requirements.” “Every facility has a designated ‘Energy Champion’ whose job it is to check for any wastage of energy or water. We are constantly striving to improve energy efficiency and are delighted that this new switch enables us to make a massive carbon saving, lowering our carbon footprint even more.” “Each of our sites bring our corporate environmental philosophy to life and our commitment to reducing the impact our sites have on our neighbours and surrounding environment is evidenced by the rich biodiversity found around our sites – such as the peregrine falcons currently nesting in our Fivemiletown quarry. We are delighted to be making very positive steps in our journey of carbon reduction”.
Birmingham will be Get Living’s eighth neighbourhood and marks their growing presence across the UK with a portfolio of over 10,000 homes The scheme is Watkin Jones’ largest build to rent development to date Get Living, the UK’s pioneer of large-scale build to rent neighbourhoods and Watkin Jones, the UK’s leading developer and manager of residential for rent homes have agreed a £136 million forward funding deal to deliver 551 new homes at Sherlock Street, Birmingham. Representing Get Living’s first acquisition in Birmingham, the development will provide 551 beautifully designed one, two and three-bed apartments, 47 of which will be affordable. Residents will be able to enjoy social lounges, a gym and co-working space in the scheme, which will also benefit from double-height reception areas, a landscaped podium, and a double-height sky lounge. Located within 500m of the iconic Bull Ring shopping centre, in the heart of Birmingham City Centre, Sherlock Street (currently known as Maker’s Yard) is Watkin Jones’ largest build to rent development to date and will be ideally placed for residents to benefit from the city’s extensive retail, restaurants and bars, as well as public transport from Birmingham New Street Station. Alex Pease, Chief Investment Officer of Watkin Jones, said: “Our teams have done a superb job developing this scheme and we’re very pleased to have secured an investor with the knowledge and commitment of Get Living to take it through delivery with us. Sherlock Street is perfectly located on a brownfield site in the centre of Birmingham and will offer its residents an amazing lifestyle in a highly sustainable place that offers real long-term value to the wider community. “Institutional investment like this makes a real difference for places with a significant shortage of rental homes. We have a strong record in Birmingham and are actively looking at new opportunities across the Midlands.” Rick de Blaby, CEO of Get Living, added: “Birmingham, the UK’s second largest city has always been on Get Living’s wish list and so we are very excited to have secured this key city centre location with Watkin Jones for what will be Get Living’s eighth large-scale neighbourhood. “This transaction for such an attractive scheme takes our secured development pipeline to circa 6,500 homes supporting our ambitious strategy to grow our portfolio to 15,000 homes within the next five years. “It is our responsibility, as long-term owners and custodians, to ensure we provide a sustainable neighbourhood for people in Birmingham, not just to call home and put down roots, but also to set the stage for a community to thrive. We look forward to working with Watkin Jones as they deliver the scheme.” Sherlock Street is located on a 2.47-acre site and will feature a new pedestrianised public square that connects the city centre with the wider Rea Valley Urban Quarter, as well as giving access to the scheme’s circa 16,500 sq ft of ground floor commercial space that will enable local employment opportunities. The neighbourhood will be managed and operated by Get Living on behalf of its investors, with the final phase of the scheme expected to complete in 2025. Get Living was advised by BCLP and Colliers. Watkin Jones was advised by Addleshaw Goddard.
Across the UK, the overwhelming majority people are crying out for help with their energy bills, claims Mike Foster, CEO of the not-for-profit trade body Energy and Utilities Alliance (EUA). Faced with a Price Cap increase on 54 per cent from 1st April. with many people finding their direct debits rocketing by even more, the issue of energy bills is now at the top of the political agenda. Research commissioned by EUA last week of 2000 UK consumers showed the sheer scale of concern around rising energy bills. Nearly nine in ten (89 per cent) of people think it is important that the Government tackles rising energy bills; 91 per cent believe the Government needs to introduce new measures to support consumers if the Price Cap increases again in October. A measure promised following Brexit yet not implemented by Government, 86 per cent of respondents also want to see VAT on energy bills scrapped, a figure up 10 points since the same survey in June 2021. Mike Foster said: “The outcry over energy bills is now deafening. It is top of the agenda for people now struggling to pay their way. And the issue is not going away. With the expectation that the Price Cap will increase again in October, ahead of the winter heating season, the Chancellor will have to find a way of supporting consumers. If he doesn’t, given these poll findings, he and hundreds of his colleagues better start brushing up their CVs.” “The Spring Statement, which cut VAT on water turbines for your mill house, failed to help the vast majority. Even more than ever, charging VAT on energy bills is deeply unpopular. At a stroke, the Chancellor could shave £100 off the average energy bill, something nearly nine in ten people want to see. With numbers like that, not only would it be the right thing to do, it would be politically popular too.” “Short-term measures are clearly needed to help ease the current pain, but the Government must also address the longer term energy security of supply concerns that are the root cause of the problem. We need to break away from reliance on fossil gas and switch our gas networks to green hydrogen. Keeping gas boilers but changing the gas they use will help us reach our Net Zero targets, keep costs and disruption to a minimum for consumers and keep Putin’s gas in the ground.”
Amazon Property, the leading London investor-developer run by CEO Charles Gourgey and COO Chris Lanitis, has committed, via Amazon Capital (the group’s private equity division), a £250 million real estate fund to invest in joint venture opportunities in the logistics, managed office solution, PBSA, Life Sciences and retirement sectors. Amazon Property built its strong brand reputation for quality and fine attention to detail through delivering some 80 mixed use developments such as The Hempel Collection with British Land, The Park Crescent and The Soho Works Estate and acquiring over 3 million square feet of development and investment assets. The group’s success over a 25 year period is its operational flexibility in being able to consider a wide variety of asset classes, with varying degrees of complexity, and delivering best-in-class projects, this agility has been the hallmark of the brand. Over the last two years Amazon Property has focused on joint venture investments and trading assets and is now set for further expansion with a new wave of private equity funding and entry into the rapidly expanding care/retirement sector under Amazon Care. Amazon Capital has committed £100 million of equity and debt/bank funding, to raise the £250 million which will be used to provide private equity funding to joint venture partners/development managers and asset managers in the alternatives sectors including logistics, managed office solutions, PBSA, Life Sciences and retirement care. Chris Lanitis, COO of Amazon Property & Founder & CIO of Amazon Capital says: “Amazon Capital is a bespoke private equity operator who understands the real estate market and as a JV partner we offer long-term support, flexibility, innovation together with streamlined and fast decision making. We have committed £250 million of fresh funding and are seeking new joint venture opportunities across London and the UK with other talented entrepreneurs and sector leaders. We are able to make fast investment decisions, as opposed to prolonged board committees, and are committed to forming equity platforms and repeat deal flow in line with our partners’ long term business endeavours.” In logistics Amazon Capital will focus on funding or entering joint ventures (£5 to £30 million investment value schemes) for acquiring or developing 2nd generation estates of between 5 acres to 20 acres in size, typically providing 200,000 sq ft to 500,000 sq ft of warehouse accommodation. Previous funding by Amazon Capital has been used to acquire jv assets including the 17 acre (400,000 sq ft) Sirdar Business Park in Wakefield, the 15 acre Swan Lane Industrial Estate in Wigan and the 6 acre Moss Electrical Estate in London’s Dartford and most recently a 210,000 sq ft single let warehouse at Wakefield 41 Industrial Park, located at the intersection of the M1 and M62 motorways. In the managed office solution market, Amazon Capital will look to acquire landmark office buildings, with acquisitions from £5 million to £50 million, in locations including Central London, Greater London and the Home Counties. With the acquired office buildings Amazon Capital is offering a bespoke approach leasing floors to tenants and providing a Cat A plus plug-and-play office setup. The Conran Building in Shad Thames is an example of a currentjoint venture acquisition undertaken. In the student accommodation sector Amazon Capital will provide funding for acquiring PBSA sites without planning, providing 300 to 500 beds, in key university centres such as London and regional cities. In medical research hubs such as Cambridge, Oxford, Stevenage and London Amazon Capital will partner with global Life Sciences companies to provide funding for real estate infrastructure such as laboratories, R&D plants, medical/medicine manufacturing plants, drug/medical warehousing and scientist office spaces. In the care sector Amazon Care will be developing a collection of care homes of between 25,000 sq ft to 70,000 sq ft in size, providing between 25 to 150 suites, complete with luxurious lifestyle amenities operated through a private-rented-sector model with a focus on dementia care. Amazon Care are currently developing in Belgravia under the Loveday brand (fifth central London site) and are in the process of acquiring a number of sites in Zones 2 and 3.
As a leading provider of affordable homes across the North West, Torus Developments is about to start its latest scheme in Standish, Wigan, which will see 155 new homes built at Hallbrook Gardens – Torus’ biggest investment in Wigan to date. With works starting on site with Seddon in the Spring, Hallbrook Gardens signifies a £30 million commitment from the Torus Group to keep building genuinely affordable, modern homes outside of its traditional heartlands of Liverpool, St Helens and Warrington. With 100% of homes at Hallbrook Gardens being available by affordable means, including Affordable Rent, Rent to Buy and Shared Ownership, Torus are committed to ensuring people across the region can access high quality, modern homes that they can afford for years to come. Discussing the scheme, Managing Director of Torus Developments, Chris Bowen said: “With the cost of living increasing and this disproportionately affecting those who earn less, we want to ensure our homes are accessible to anyone and support more people onto the housing ladder. “Through building more affordable homes and increasing the mix of tenure across all our new development schemes, we are continuing to offer multiple ways people can get on the property ladder and Hallbrook Gardens is the latest scheme that evidences how we are opening the door for more people to have their own property. We are delighted to be working with Seddon on this scheme and to further increase access to genuinely affordable housing in Wigan.” Divisional director at Seddon, Duncan Williams added: “Affordable homes are vital for people to feel a part of their community and with the demand for new houses in Wigan, Hallbrook Gardens will create 155 new homes. “We are delighted to be working with Torus Developments under the new development framework providing new affordable homes and being able to make a difference in the community.” Hallbrook Gardens is the latest new build development Torus Developments is on site with in Wigan and follows closely behind its Frog Lane development and Plank Lane development in nearby Leigh, which is due for completion this December. Also complementing Torus Developments increasing footprint across the North West, Hallbrook Gardens joins over 20 schemes currently onsite outside of the Liverpool City Region and St Helens, accounting for over 1,500 homes being built in communities across the North West.
FIS and The Worshipful Company of Plaisterers have joined forces to expand on the Plaisterers’ Training Awards, which traditionally covered plastering and drylining, to encompass the wider finishes and interiors sector. The new Training Awards will now recognise outstanding individuals and contributions made to recruiting, training and developing people in plastering and interior trades. Commenting on the expansion of the awards, FIS President Helen Tapper and Member of The Worshipful Company of Plaisterers Industry Committee said: “When looking at the skills shortages that have impacted our sector in recent times, it often belies the effort that businesses, training providers and individuals are making. FIS and the Plaisterers are both committed to encouraging people to join the industry and a focus on continuous learning and development. “People talk about competence and that is vital, but so too is pride in what we do – our work is the stuff that makes structures and shells into homes, hospitals, workplaces and inspiring educational settings. The people that do this are skilled craftspeople and more needs to be done to recognise this, both within and beyond our sector. We have a proud tradition, but a bright future too and this initiative is about two of our key institutions working together to help us to identify, celebrate and learn from the people who are building this future.” The awards categories will acknowledge individuals, employees, students, apprentices, independent training providers and colleges who have made an exceptional contribution to learning and development in the sector. The 2022 award categories are: • Student of the Year – Plaisterers Award for Plastering Trades• Student of the Year – FIS Award for Interior Trades• Apprentice of the Year – Plaisterers Award for Plastering Trades• Apprentice of the Year – FIS Award for Interior Trades • Colleges and Independent Training Providers (large)• Colleges and Independent Training Providers (small)• FIS Member Training Programme• Mentors Award• Lifetime Achievement Award As well as trade specific sponsored awards: • British Gypsum Trophy (independent training provider/college drylining)• Saint Gobain Formula Trophy (Fibrous/GRG can be any organisation or person) The awards will officially open for entries on the 31st March and close mid-August. The winners will be announced at a ceremony at Plaisterers’ Hall on the 22nd November. Master of The Worshipful Company of Plaisterers Margaret Coates commented: “Our aim is to create with FIS a Training Awards event that showcases the very best of the sector’s occupations, that both encourages and inspires others to do more. The skills shortage is profound. We must address this, by attracting people to the plastering and interior trades and by promoting excellent training providers and supportive employers. “A vibrant construction industry is crucial to a strong economy and our sector plays an important role. We look forward to working with FIS not just in rewarding and celebrating success but finding and telling the stories that inspire others to join or invest in those people who will lead our amazing sector forwards. We urge and encourage you to enter this collaborative competition and to tell your story.” For more details on entering these awards visit https://www.thefis.org/membership-hub/fis-awards/fis-wcp-training-awards/ For further information or for any questions please contact FIS at info@thefis.org or call 0121 707 0077 or The Worshipful Company of Plasiterers on clerk@plaistererslivery.co.uk or call 0207 7964333.
International engineering, design and project management business Stantec has acquired Barton Willmore, the UK’s leading independent planning and design consultancy, in a deal advised on by the GS Verde Group. The deal underpins Stantec’s strategic growth plans, enhancing its offering of innovative master planning and urban design solutions that have positioned the organisation as a global leader in sustainability and community-focused design. With offices already established in Cardiff, Edinburgh and London and more regional sites, the acquisition of Barton Willmore sees Stantec’s UK presence increase to more than 2,500 strong, with all Barton Willmore partners joining Stantec UK to continue in existing or enhanced roles. They will join Stantec’s team of 25,000, operating in over 400 locations across six continents. With a market capitalisation in excess of £4 billion and projects ranging from the Panama Canal expansion to working with the US Federal Government, Stantec has consistently ranked as one of the world’s top design and architectural organisations. Speaking on the acquisition, Bjorn Morisbak, Executive Vice President Corporate Development at Stantec said: “It’s incredibly exciting to welcome Barton Willmore to our growing global team as we look to strengthen our project delivery expertise across several sectors. Barton Willmore’s master planning and urban design capabilities greatly enhance our ability to drive innovative solutions for clients across the globe.” Barton Willmore has a prestigious reputation as the largest independent, interdisciplinary consultancy in the UK, comprised of over 300 town planners, master planners, urban and landscape designers, architects, and environmental planners. Managing partner at Barton Willmore, Stephen Toole said: “Stantec and Barton Willmore share a passion for delivering long-lasting projects that improve communities. We are thrilled to be joining a growing global team, combining our respective interdisciplinary capabilities, and broadening our resources to support clients. “The combined power of these organisations has the potential to not only transform projects in the UK but also address wider global design and sustainability issues.” The consultancy supports many of the largest and most transformational projects in the UK’s residential, logistics, retail, infrastructure, energy, higher education, and urban regeneration sectors, providing services to both public and private sector clients. This transaction marks the most recent in a series of acquisitions by Stantec across the UK market in recent years, as it continues in a buy and build strategy as a global leader in the market.
Property-connect.org was formed to respond to a direct need of property professionals within the construction/FM and built environments. Anyone within the industry from Planners, designers, architects, interior designers, and all trades within the building envelope. We meet Monthly at various locations throughout the UK, each event has its own Hosts ambassadors, bringing together property people within their areas It’s an informal atmosphere interacting with others to exchange information within our members and attendees, to develop and enhance contacts. Learning about the industries activities and making new professional acquaintances with no pressure. We do ask if you bring colleagues or contacts that they are directly involved with the property and FM industry as the event is sharing information and services among individuals and groups that have a common interest. Our networking is not just about selling it’s about buying as well. Meeting people you can trust to deliver the work, with integrity and honesty and reliability. Knowing that you have met them at our event should mean they are trusted people. Why Join Property-connect.org, To become a member, you must be involved in the property industry as set out above, this ensures you are only dealing with people within the Property and FM industry. Our event has been around 17 years and primarily our events have been in London Bridge, we have expanded to other regions to develop contacts relationships in those areas. We are creating a platform which is environmentally sound to save all those travelling to other areas for work. Actively working in their own areas, reduces the carbon use and benefiting the industry with better response times. Property Connect charges for all events to ensure the commitment, integrity, honesty of the attendees, Property Connect has already invested in online systems including the web site portal ,with regular updates, we are developing an App where you will be able to search our members for local professionals/contacts in the area for their services. Currently we have 7 regional events London Bridge, Amersham, Leeds, Maidstone, Brighton, Cambridge, Essex, Kent with a further 10 on the target list for the year. To join www.property-connect.org just register on our web site and further information email for registration details to become a full member, corporate member, sponsorship of events or you may wish to host and event in your area alex@poperty-connect.org, rupa@property-connect.org ,keith@property-connect.org.
LEADING multi-disciplinary consultancy firm Pulse Consult has been appointed to lead a significant regeneration project of an old estate in the London Borough of Southwark. The Tustin Estate regeneration, located to the north of Old Kent Road, is part of Southwark Council’s commitment to creating 11,000 new council homes by 2043, and will involve the demolition of the existing estate, which was built in the 1960’s. Following phased demolition works, which will include residential homes, commercial units and a primary school, the development will be rebuilt to provide 200 replacement council homes, 220 new social rent and key worker homes and a further 220 private sale units (as well as a replacement primary school and commercial units) to further Southwark Council’s pledge to provide new, quality homes in the area. Paul Adams, director and the London office lead at Pulse, said: “We are very grateful to Southwark Council for entrusting us to help them deliver this fantastic regeneration project that puts residents at the heart of the development. It builds upon Pulse’s experience in large scale residential projects and our proven track record of successful delivery and collaborative working. “An impetus on social value has been placed throughout the project, ranging from apprenticeships and job creation to technology and training. We’re therefore really pleased to be working with an engaged and positive residents’ group – they have been incredibly involved so far to ensure a fair and inclusive ethos around the project as well as ensuring we meet their needs with the regeneration works.” Pulse was appointed to the project thanks to the team’s extensive experience in the management and delivery of mixed-use housing regeneration schemes within inner London. Previously, Pulse has worked on many London-based regeneration projects. Councillor Stephanie Cryan, cabinet member of council homes and homelessness, said: “This is an exciting opportunity for the Council to not only replace old stock but also provide additional much needed affordable accommodation. There is a strong community at Tustin and our residential engagement process means we are delivering a regeneration programme the local community want and can be proud off. We are delighted to bring Pulse on board with their experience to deliver on our promises to the estate.” Pulse has procured the design team for the project, led by dRMM Architects and including Adam Khan Architects, JA Projects, Exterior Architecture, Heyne Tillett Steel, Greengage, Loop Engineering, Entran, and Beyond the Box as well procuring LinkCity as the developer. Established in 2009, Pulse has offices in Nottingham, London, Leicester, Birmingham, and Bristol, offering a personable and professional service to its clients across a range of sectors including education, the arts, tourism, leisure, and residential. Visit https://pulseconsult.co.uk/ or join the conversation on social media @Pulse_Consult.
Leading Chartered Surveyor firm, Bruton Knowles, has played a fundamental role in enabling two significant flood defence schemes to progress. The firm has been retained to deliver land agent support by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and Conwy County Borough Council for crucial flood alleviation schemes in both South and North Wales. NRW’s £10m Stephenson Street Flood Scheme seeks to protect 2,000 homes and businesses in the Liswerry area of Newport from increased River Usk flood risk. Planning permission was granted last November, with work on site due to progress in the coming months. Experts from Bruton Knowles’ National Utilities and Infrastructure Team, based out of the Cardiff office, have been conducting the necessary landowner negotiations on behalf of NRW. The land agency works have been ongoing for two years, and land rights are or will shortly all be in place to enable the commencement of site activity. This will come as welcome news to local Newport residents, who have been on high flood alert in recent weeks as a trail of winter storms have battered the UK. The same team of Bruton Knowles’ experts has recently also undertaken landowner negotiations and compensation support to Conwy County Borough Council on a Flood Defence scheme in Abergele. The firm acted on behalf of the council during the first phase of the flood alleviation scheme worth £1.1m. Planning permission was secured in December 2020 for the Eldon Drive Flood Alleviation scheme in Abergele, and contractor Griffiths Civil Engineering recently completed work on site to put in place drainage, a new lagoon and two bridges over an existing waterway. This area continues to be susceptible to flooding and has been identified under the Welsh Government’s £36m allocation to local authorities and Natural Resources Wales (NRW). Additional phases are planned to areas downstream of the initial phase of works. Speaking about these landmark schemes, Bill Simms, Partner at Bruton Knowles and Joint National Utilities and Infrastructure Team Head, commented: “There has never been a more significant time for infrastructure projects such as these to come to fruition. “Wales is one of the first countries in the world to have written climate change flood risks into new planning policy for developments, showing it is at the forefront of future-proofing its infrastructure. “NRW and Conwy County Borough Council are playing a pivotal role in driving this forward through environmental schemes which seek to reduce flood risks. “We’re delighted to be working closely with both organisations as a core delivery partner on these much-needed schemes which will protect local communities going forward.” A survey conducted last year highlighted only a small proportion – just 15% – of Welsh people believed climate change would impact significantly on the area in which they live. Yet by 2050 and 2080, projections indicate that in Wales, it will become 6% and 13% more rainy in winter respectively, exacerbating current flood risks. At present, 60% of Welsh residents live in coastal areas, and significant national infrastructure is located along the country’s coastline. Around 12,000 properties are thought to be at high risk from coastal and river flooding, rising by 260% by the 2080s if defences are not preserved. Bill continued: “Any project which demonstrates to local people how small changes can bring significant environmental benefits and mitigate against climate change will be instrumental in changing attitudes. “Responsible surveying has an important part to play in this process, because it sits at the heart of sustainable and socially conscious development. “This is something Bruton Knowles prides itself on and that our National Utilities and Infrastructure Team is fully geared up to deliver.” Bruton Knowles offers a one-stop-shop for clients, with its four National Teams – Valuation, Commercial, Utilities & Infrastructure and Building Consultancy – providing a point of contact to deliver an entire project to the exacting standards required. National Teams have been significant for Bruton Knowles’ business portfolio over the past year, and there are plans to launch more in due course. Bruton Knowles has extensive expertise and in-depth market knowledge of local and national property markets throughout the UK. Utilising its team of motivated resourceful surveyors, the firm can provide the very best commercial property advice. www.brutonknowles.co.uk.