Trebor Developments and Seddon Developments have sold their Prime Point 14 speculative, industrial, development to Aver Property Limited Partnership. The site lies one minute from Junction 14 on the M6 Motorway. The two units of 66,628 sq ft and 76,742 sq ft will be constructed during 2022 by Seddon Construction
The City of Edinburgh Council-led regeneration of Meadowbank has reached another major milestone this week as Councillors agreed to appoint a development partner for the next stage of the project at the Finance and Resources Committee today (3 March 2022). Following a competitive procurement process the £1.045million contract will be awarded
Insurance brokerage, risk management and consulting firm Gallagher has introduced RiskTalk, a voice-operated risk assessment tool for construction businesses – the first of its kind in the UK The app is suitable for phones or tablet devices, and removes the need for construction firms to complete lengthy paperwork and enter
J Tomlinson’s compassionate approach has been recognised on a national level after the company was announced Social Responsibility Company of the year at the recent National Energy Efficiency Awards. The coveted accolade, which marks the company’s fourth national award to date, was presented at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole on Friday
With Power over Ethernet (PoE), terminal equipment can be supplied with power directly via the Ethernet cable – now even powerful terminal equipment with up to 90 W, such as smart displays, intelligent PoE lights and actuators. R&M, the globally active developer and provider of cabling systems for high-quality network
Savills has expanded its building & project consultancy team with the appointment of Andrew Hezelgrave who joins as a director at the firm’s Margaret Street head office in London. Andrew has more than 15 years’ experience in the commercial property sector as a building surveyor specialising in technical due diligence
Biggest win to date for expanding business unit specialising in refurbishment/fit-out and ‘cut and carve’ works. Glencar, a construction company that was recently ranked amongst Europe’s fastest growing businesses, has announced the award of a £12M fit out project instruction from global ready to assemble furniture, kitchen appliances and housewares
NATIONAL contractor Stepnell has completed works on behalf of Brio Retirement Living to design and build the £29m Beechwood Park – a 106 dwelling luxury retirement living community in Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire. The completed Beechwood Park retirement home boasts a range of one, two, and three bedroomed bungalows and apartments, each
Developer to bring forward additional 500,000 sq ft sq ft of industrial/logistics accommodation Leading commercial property developer, Stoford has announced a new site wide agreement with the Church Commissioners for England that will unlock future phases of development at a job creating industrial scheme in East Devon. The agreement paves
CIAT supports the premise of taking appropriate action against those who have deliberately and knowingly specified, provided, or fitted substandard materials. However, the proposal to extend liability periods is unrealistic, unworkable, and unachievable and has the danger of potentially persecuting innocent parties without the means to defend themselves or without
Trebor Developments and Seddon Developments have sold their Prime Point 14 speculative, industrial, development to Aver Property Limited Partnership. The site lies one minute from Junction 14 on the M6 Motorway. The two units of 66,628 sq ft and 76,742 sq ft will be constructed during 2022 by Seddon Construction Limited and provide high quality, sustainable BREEAM “Very Good” and EPC “A” rated, industrial units for rent in the Staffordshire area. Bob Tattrie, Managing Partner, at Trebor commented: “Prime Point 14, Stafford, is a prime location being only one mile from Junction 14 of the M6. The two mid-size units are on a very established industrial park and will meet market demands, the area suffers from little choice of quality industrial units in this area. We look forward to delivering these”. Ergo Real Estate, on behalf of Aver Property (its JV with NFU Mutual), continues its impressive track record in the logistics sector. “Our flexible and opportunistic approach enables us to be responsive to prospects and capitalise on the growth in this area, securing our position as market leaders”. Martin Jepson, Founding Partner at Ergo Real Estate commented. Ergo Real Estate were represented by Savills, Birmingham office. Trebor Developments and Seddon Developments dealt with inhouse.
The City of Edinburgh Council-led regeneration of Meadowbank has reached another major milestone this week as Councillors agreed to appoint a development partner for the next stage of the project at the Finance and Resources Committee today (3 March 2022). Following a competitive procurement process the £1.045million contract will be awarded to the Edinburgh Meadowbank Group, to be referred to as EDMB, a consortium comprising of John Graham Holdings, Panacea Property Development and Miller Homes. They will progress design and pre-construction works by early 2023 ahead of the start of construction work on site. The ambition for the development of Meadowbank is to create one of the Capital’s greenest neighbourhoods by incorporating low-car, low-carbon infrastructure with energy efficient homes. The regeneration will deliver around 600 new mixed tenure homes for sale and rent, at least 35% of which will be affordable with a number being fully wheelchair adapted. Positioned on the site adjacent to the new Meadowbank Sports Centre off London Road, it will also include space for a range of commercial and community uses on the ground floor including the proposed location for a GP Surgery. High quality pubic realm and landscaping, focusing on the industrial and sporting heritage will provide new active travel routes through to Restalrig, while protecting and enhancing the existing trees and environment. During the pre-development period, work will be carried out to prepare for construction, including developing detailed designs and agreeing a net zero carbon energy solution for the site, contributing to the Council’s ambitious target to reach net-zero emissions by 2030. The Meadowbank masterplan for the site was approved in October 2020 following an extensive programme of community consultation. Regular engagement on proposals for the site has continued with the Meadowbank Sounding Board – a group consisting of local representatives, councillors, and council officers – which continues to review progress and ensure the site continues to best meet the community’s and council’s priorities. A wide range of community benefits and fair work proposals will also be delivered. These will include seven new apprenticeship positions and fourteen new job opportunities; site visits for local schools over the course of the development; employability support events; community enhancement projects, including donations of up to £100,000 to community groups; and all employees and sub-contractors will be paid the Real Living Wage. Councillor Rob Munn, Finance and Resource Convener, said: Strong and extensive scrutiny has gone into this procurement process to get us to this point. We’ve discussed this at committee today and agree that we have a pre-development partner in place that shares our vision while also offering us best value. We now want to deliver more affordable housing and space for retail businesses, while we hope to provide a much-needed GP surgery provision to benefit everyone within the local community. It’s great that these homes are located a short distance from the city centre and will be both cost effective to heat alongside some that will be wheelchair accessible. With the Meadowbank masterplan also having been awarded a ‘Building with Nature’ accreditation we know that development will be setting standards for sustainable design, implementation and maintenance of high-quality green features so I look forward to seeing the results of this stage of the development and what EDMB can bring to that. Councillor Joan Griffiths, Vice Convener, said: Seeing another stage of our masterplan getting closer to becoming a reality is very exciting, especially as it will provide so many homes for the city, contributing to our ambition to deliver 20,000 affordable homes by 2027. This development and wider neighbourhood, shaped by the local community, will bring a great regenerative feel to this area of the city. While, through the community benefits programme we have agreed as part of this contract, we also hope to bring new jobs and training opportunities for local people, offer opportunities for local school leavers and children to be part of the vision for Meadowbank. www.edinburgh.gov.uk/meadowbank
Insurance brokerage, risk management and consulting firm Gallagher has introduced RiskTalk, a voice-operated risk assessment tool for construction businesses – the first of its kind in the UK The app is suitable for phones or tablet devices, and removes the need for construction firms to complete lengthy paperwork and enter data manually when carrying out risk assessments, with users conducting the process through recording voice notes The tool cuts down on the time and effort required by construction businesses to undertake health and safety duties with the average UK firm currently spending the equivalent of 36 days a year completing risk assessments However, despite this time commitment and the associated cost, many UK firms (49%) admit they are concerned they are not carrying out risk assessments thoroughly enough Two thirds of businesses (68%) claim the current manual way of completing risk assessment is complicated, leading to concerns they may not have an adequate defense in the event of an incident Failure to complete comprehensive risk assessments can lead to significant Health and Safety Executive (HSE) penalties for construction firms – with £64 million worth of fines paid by businesses in the sector over the last five years[i] – [i] https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/tables/prosecutions.xlsx Insurance brokerage, risk management and consulting firm Gallagher has introduced RiskTalk – a user-friendly voice-operated risk assessment app – to help construction businesses cut down on the time and expense of undertaking workplace safety assessments, and benefit from increased reporting reliability. The health and safety app helps construction businesses perform fast and efficient risk assessments to manage the risks on site to the health, safety and welfare of their employees and visitors to their premises. The app allows users to record observations and report hazards by simply speaking into their phone or a tablet device – removing the need for completing lengthy paperwork. Through a set of prescribed questions, RiskTalk guides users through the process of assessing and identifying risks present in the work environment, and detailing how they will control them. RiskTalk also makes theprocess much easier for managers to review risk assessments. Users can take photos in-app and send recorded voice memos straight to a cloud storage system, with managers able to approve assessments by using a voice sign-off feature. Reports can be generated via the app avoiding the need for a lengthy data entry process which can then be converted to PDF files if hard copies are required. In-built speech recognition technology can understand and process recordings in 220 languages to ensure it is accessible for a wide range of users. All entries are time, date and author stamped – making it easy in the case of a health and safety-related incident to locate risk assessments to prove they were completed in full prior to the event occurring. The app works offline – allowing users to conduct risk assessments and store data while working in areas with limited or no network coverage. Undertaking risk assessments is a significant time commitment for businesses and research commissioned by Gallagher, conducted last month among 200 UK firms, found that one in two companies (49%) are concerned they are not carrying out risk assessments thoroughly enough to protect their organisation, employees and clients – potentially leaving them without a strong defence in the event of legal actions, insurance claims and Health and Safety Executive (HSE) enforcement action. Cost was highlighted as another frustration among businesses regarding the completion of risk assessments. Over two fifths of firms (45%) feel that completing risk assessments is an expensive process – costing their business an average of £1,500 a year. This could be due to paying wages for employees undertaking assessments or for contractors who need to be paid to do them. Neil Hodgson, Managing Director of Risk Management at Gallagher, said: “We’re delighted to be bringing this innovative risk assessment tool to UK construction businesses. It is easy to use, makes the process of undertaking risk assessments quicker and more reliable, and firms within the sector will benefit from increased peace of mind that in the event of an incident they are more likely to have a robust defence. “This is particularly important when you take into account that half of UK firms are unsure whether they are completing the risk assessment process correctly. Evidence of risk assessments carried out and the steps taken to mitigate any identified risks can be crucial for construction firms in the defence of an insurance claim for personal injury or illness, or intervention by the HSE or other regulatory authority. Penalties can be severe – with the average fine paid by construction businesses across the past five years costing £86,000.” For further information, visit https://www.ajg.com/uk/risktalk/
J Tomlinson’s compassionate approach has been recognised on a national level after the company was announced Social Responsibility Company of the year at the recent National Energy Efficiency Awards. The coveted accolade, which marks the company’s fourth national award to date, was presented at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole on Friday 18 February, with over 650 professionals working in the energy efficiency sector in attendance. Nine companies were shortlisted for the title, with J Tomlinson announced as the winner following a comprehensive judging process in which all nominees were assessed on the impact they have had within their local communities. The building, maintenance, energy and refurbishment specialist, was commended for its targeted and far-reaching approach to social responsibility, spanning key areas such as employment, emotional and physical wellbeing, skills-building, decarbonisation, boosting local economies, and promoting affordable warmth. Some of the comments from the judging panel included: “[J Tomlinson], through its application process, demonstrated a commitment to deliver a level of responsibility across the business, its customers and environments that it operates. This would appear to be a company that has pride in its position, a considered delivery of social responsibility and measured interactions that support all around the business.” “A very impressive broad range of support and dedication to education and local employment, charity donations and volunteering whilst also demonstrating care for their own staff and sub-contractors.” The company also took home third place in the National Renewable Heat Installer and Multi-Measure Project of the Year categories – the latter in recognition of the highly sustainable refurbishment and restoration of Ilkeston’s Toll Bar House building, which is not only forecast to reduce carbon emissions by 13 tonnes per annum, but also to create over 90 jobs in the local area. Mark Davis, chief executive at J Tomlinson, commented: “On behalf of the entire team at J Tomlinson, we are extremely proud to have been recognised for our commitment to enhancing the lives of the individuals and communities we work with every single day. “I have always been a very firm believer in the power of excellent partnerships, and I am all-too-aware that the impact we have collectively had would not have been nearly as significant or far-reaching if it was not for the strong relationships we have with our clients – all of which are built upon striving to achieve and exceed shared goals. For this reason, I would like to take the opportunity to thank all our clients and our people for playing such a vital role in transforming lives in line with our One Team ethos. This award is for you.” J Tomlinson has experienced a consistent string of success at previous regional and national energy efficiency awards ceremonies, including winning Renewable Heating Project of the Year following a ground source heat pump project that is saving residents 40% on their heating bills and providing client Bromford with over £570k worth of RHI and ECO funding.
With Power over Ethernet (PoE), terminal equipment can be supplied with power directly via the Ethernet cable – now even powerful terminal equipment with up to 90 W, such as smart displays, intelligent PoE lights and actuators. R&M, the globally active developer and provider of cabling systems for high-quality network infrastructures, based in Wetzikon, Switzerland, provides information about new and simpler methods of PoE planning for building installation in an expert interview. Correctly planning cable installation in a smart building With Power over Ethernet (PoE), terminal equipment can be supplied with power directly via the Ethernet cable – now even powerful terminal equipment with up to 90 W, such as smart displays, intelligent PoE lights and actuators. This is why such systems are being used more and more frequently in building installations. With the introduction of remote power categories, PoE support is now also regulated for generic building cabling. However, in practice, the table-based interpretation of the installation standards turns out to be a complex task for planners. Matthias Gerber from R&M explains the problem – and the solution. Matthias Gerber, following an increase in the number of PoE devices on the market, more and more building operators and planners are focusing on the topic, and initial experiences with large-scale PoE installations are now also available. But the standards seem complicated and the feedback from the market is not always positive. Is the connection with PoE cables really so complicated or what is the problem? Gerber: «The problem is more in the way they are installed, not in the cables themselves. However, the two aspects are closely related. The EN 50174-2 standard for Europe and the ISO/IEC 14763-2 standard worldwide have been published since 2015 and describe the planning and installation of universal cabling systems. EN-50173 and ISO/IEC 11801, on the other hand, describe the specification of the individual cabling links. The installation standards build on the cabling standards and describe how cabling has to be installed in buildings. PoE end devices are now being used more and more frequently, and the growth in sensors and drives is exponential. This is why more and more building operators and planners are addressing the issue and are realizing that it is highly complex. In addition, the performance of PoE applications is constantly increasing: Today we have reached 4PPoE with 90 W. To take this increasing performance into account, the remote power categories RP 1 to 3 (Remote Power Category) were introduced to the standards two years ago. But that made the topic even more complex.» Are these standards mandatory? Gerber: «A standard is not mandatory per se; it reflects the state of the art. But most tenders for the installation of universal building cabling are based on these standards. In other words, the planner has to take this into account.» And what do these RP categories mean, why did they make the issue so complex? Gerber: «Initially, the power transfer of PoE was 13 W. Since 2018, 4PPoE has been able to transfer up to 90 W. However, where more current is flowing, the resistance generates more heat. That is why the remote power categories (RP1 – RP3) were introduced in 2020 to ensure the long-term reliable operation of the building installation even at higher currents. For RP1, up to an average of 212 mA are permitted and no special planning measures are required. But during operation, it must be ensured that the average current does not exceed the permitted limit. With 4PPoE devices, however, the supply current in a cable can be up to 500 mA. If a 4PPoE device is connected, in other cables of this installation bundle no PoE devices can be connected in order to compensate for the increased current. The standard therefore stipulates that appropriate warning signs must be attached to RP1 and RP2 installations. Before another PoE device is connected, compliance with the maximum permissible current must always be checked. RP1 and RP2 are easy when it comes to planning an installation, but it is very time-consuming for the building administrator in operation.» Is that different with remote power category 3? Gerber: «With RP3, the cabling is already configured during the planning phase so that all cables can transfer the maximum PoE current at the same time. This makes planning time-consuming, but during operation it makes the plant very reliable, as no further measures are required. For the operator, this is thus the preferred state of cabling – and the EN standard therefore recommends compliance with the RP3 category. It is even prescribed by the ISO/IEC standard. However, the challenge for the planner now is that with RP3 cabling, care has to be taken to ensure that the attenuation budget for data transmission is always adhered to even at increased temperatures and that the maximum permissible temperature in the cable is not exceeded. This is achieved by adjusting the link lengths depending on the ambient conditions of the installation. The installation standards offer tables for this purpose that show the temperature increase.» But the planning and correct design of an RP3 installation does not seem to be that easy with these tables? Gerber: «That’s the problem. In order to reduce the complexity of the tables and keep the number of tables manageable, considerable simplifications have been introduced. The consequence of this is that it has become very difficult to find the right parameters. What’s more, the conditions along a cable are not always the same. The standards require the temperature increases in the various sections to be determined individually and then averaged using a complex weighting procedure. The maximum permissible cabling length can then be taken from another table using this average temperature.» That does sound very complicated, mistakes must be almost inevitable. Couldn’t it be made easier? Gerber: «Yes – R&M developed a PoE Calculator back in 2015 and has now expanded it to include functionalities for the new RP categories. The PoE Calculator offers building operators and planners several benefits: First of all,
Savills has expanded its building & project consultancy team with the appointment of Andrew Hezelgrave who joins as a director at the firm’s Margaret Street head office in London. Andrew has more than 15 years’ experience in the commercial property sector as a building surveyor specialising in technical due diligence (TDD). He joins Savills from Black Cat Building Consultancy where he worked across all sectors, looking at both single asset and large portfolio instructions for clients including Investcorp and Brydell Partners in both the UK and Europe. Prior to this he also held positions at Paragon Building Consultancy and Lambert Smith Hampton. At Savills Andrew will join the technical due diligence team, working on major instructions offering tailored, commercial advice on transactions for clients across all asset classes. Andrew Hezelgrave, director in the building & project consultancy team, comments: “This is an exciting time to join the Savills TDD team, especially as we continue to see a number of considerable transactions take place across the UK investment market. One area of focus will be the industrial & logistics sector, which continues to break records when it comes to investment volumes. I look forward to working with colleagues across the business in order to provide top quality advice to clients.” Steve Page, building & project consultancy director and head of the Savills TDD team, adds: “We are very pleased to welcome Andrew to Savills. His experience and expertise will undoubtedly help to further strengthen our capability and ensure we can continue to offer a best in class service to our clients.”
Biggest win to date for expanding business unit specialising in refurbishment/fit-out and ‘cut and carve’ works. Glencar, a construction company that was recently ranked amongst Europe’s fastest growing businesses, has announced the award of a £12M fit out project instruction from global ready to assemble furniture, kitchen appliances and housewares company Ikea. The project will see Glencar undertake extensive racking, sprinkler and office fit-out works within Ikea’s giant new 450,000 sq ft distribution centre recently completed located at the former Littlebrook Power Station site on the south bank of the River Thames in London. The works will also include the construction of a new additional storage unit in the service yard together with the installation of a security gatehouse, vehicle ramps and fencing adaptions. Talking about the contract award and rapid expansion of this specialist division, Neil Johnstone Commercial Manager Glencar Special Projects Division said: “The new ‘Special Projects’ division was established to service the fit-out and refurbishment needs of Glencar’s existing industrial client base as well as offering the same high level of service to other market sectors. This approach has proven successful to date, having secured a number of projects in other market sectors and establishing relationships with new clients who have not worked with Glencar previously. The award of this significant contract from Ikea on their recently completed massive new 450,000 sq ft Dartford regional distribution centre is a significant testament to that as we continue to offer our customers an end-to-end service offering. We are delighted to be working with Ikea for the first time and supporting the growth of their business across London and the South East”
NATIONAL contractor Stepnell has completed works on behalf of Brio Retirement Living to design and build the £29m Beechwood Park – a 106 dwelling luxury retirement living community in Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire. The completed Beechwood Park retirement home boasts a range of one, two, and three bedroomed bungalows and apartments, each cladded in Cotswold Stone, and set against a quintessential countryside backdrop within one of UK’s most desirable market towns. Sustainable living solutions have been incorporated into the design and build, to include district heating, combined heat and power generation, and full home automation. As a result, this project has been awarded the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) ‘‘Very Good’’ standard rating and BRE HQM (Home Quality Mark) Level 3. Designed with a wide range of community facilities and communal areas, the retirement home is home to beautiful landscaped gardens, and includes an exercise trail, raised bed gardens and Brio’s brasserie and bar Slate & Grain. Furthermore, there is a purpose-built social space for recreational activities, club fitness suite, spa and lounge. A shuttle bus is also available for shopping trips and excursions. Colin Chiles, operations director at Stepnell, said: “We are delighted to open the doors to Beechwood Park, a to provide a first-class retirement living experience in the heart of the Cotswolds. “Together with Brio, we have prioritised the environmental performance of the residential community throughout every phase of planning and delivery, which has been recognised as part of the BREEAM accreditation process to achieve “Very Good” standard. This has been achieved as result of a strong collaborative effort.” To achieve the BREEAM ‘Very Good’ standard, the team demonstrated ‘best practice’ – the performance rating reserved for the top 10% of new UK non-domestic buildings. Colin continued: “This development follows a series of retirement village projects in the region, including the recently delivered £5.25m Edwardstow Court in the centre of Stow. Stepnell has quickly become recognised as a national contractor of choice for retirement developments, which has organically grown through a series of successful partnerships.” The residential units are now available with a range of buy, part-own, rent and part-rent options. Stepnell’s completion adds to a growing portfolio of care projects, which will soon include the £6.5m The Gables Care Home on Bennett Drive in Birmingham and a £4.3m refurbishment project at the Town Thorns Care Home in Rugby, with work currently underway at both sites. To find out more about Stepnell’s healthcare and retirement living expertise, visit: www.stepnell.co.uk. Join the conversation at @Stepnellltd.
Developer to bring forward additional 500,000 sq ft sq ft of industrial/logistics accommodation Leading commercial property developer, Stoford has announced a new site wide agreement with the Church Commissioners for England that will unlock future phases of development at a job creating industrial scheme in East Devon. The agreement paves the way for the development of an additional c.500,000 sq ft of industrial/logistics accommodation at Exeter Logistics Park, Clyst Honiton. Stoford will develop the scheme on a design and build basis, with new units made available on freehold or leasehold terms. Exeter Logistics Park is part of the second phase of a significant industrial scheme which was opened in 2017, following the grant of outline planning, secured by the Church Commissioners. Part of the Exeter and East Devon Growth Point economic development zone east of the M5, near Exeter Airport, the scheme will total more than 650,000 sq ft upon completion and includes improvements to the local transport infrastructure. A new access road and signalised traffic junction have been created off the B3174 London Road, making the site immediately available for further development. Stoford has already completed construction of a new 90,000 sq ft distribution unit and a 415-space electric vehicle charging park at Exeter Logistics Park, on behalf of an international retailer. Works are also underway on the construction of a further two new buildings, including DHL’s 54,732 sq ft parcel distribution service centre and a 28,464 sq ft warehouse that is being developed speculatively. The new developments are characterised by strong environmental credentials, including green roof spaces, a sustainable urban drainage system, provision of solar panels and an external trim trail with outdoor gym and fitness area. They are expected to be completed this month (March 2022) and have the potential to create more than 100 new jobs. It is estimated that Exeter Logistics Park could contribute between £90 million – £105 million to the regional economy when fully complete. Dan Gallagher, Joint Managing Director, Stoford said: “Exeter Logistics Park is an extremely well connected site with enormous potential. We are on track to deliver the two new buildings in Q1 this year and the new agreement will enable us to further develop the scheme to meet continued demand. This is a sustainable scheme that has already attracted high calibre, international occupiers. It has all of the attributes to become the South West’s leading distribution hub, south of Bristol.” Joanna Loxton, Head of Strategic Land for the Church Commissioners for England, said: “The latest agreement builds on our already strong partnership with Stoford and will see hundreds of thousands of square feet of high-quality employment space being delivered, resulting in significant job creation locally and supporting the area’s continued growth. “We are particularly proud of Exeter Logistics Park’s sustainability credentials, which are a demonstration of our ESG commitments in action and will help support a ‘green recovery’ post-covid.” All enquiries regarding Exeter Logistics Park should be directed to the scheme’s retained agents, JLL and Cushman & Wakefield.
CIAT supports the premise of taking appropriate action against those who have deliberately and knowingly specified, provided, or fitted substandard materials. However, the proposal to extend liability periods is unrealistic, unworkable, and unachievable and has the danger of potentially persecuting innocent parties without the means to defend themselves or without any realistic positive outcome for the owner/occupant. Imposing a retroactive period of 30 years is a reactive addition to the Building Safety Bill and is not the solution. There may not be insurance in place, the documents may no longer exist, as the insurance and limitations periods under which these practices were operating had expired and also due to the more stringent GDPR rules, the claim would go against the contracts and certification processes as issued at the time and could be challenged through the courts, even if the practices still existed or the personnel were the same. If the claim was pursued, the practices or individuals may have no alternative but to declare themselves bankrupt which provides no resolution for any party. The narrative from Government is implying that it is aiming these measures at large manufacturers, contractors, and developers, without taking cognisance that it will in reality affect those sole practitioners and micro-SMEs (up to 10 employees) which are the majority of practices in the professional services sector. In addition to this issue, many of those firms will no longer be operating. As such, CIAT would urge the Government to continue with its original commitment to fund the remedial works as promised and aim any sanctions or pursue recovery at the right parties. Any proposed actions should be proportionate, fair and realistic. CIAT is becoming increasingly concerned by the plethora of suggested amendments to the Bill. These are changing on a daily basis, and it is hoped that common sense will prevail. In addition to the matter of extending liability periods retrospectively, it is important that those writing this legislation understand that professional service providers do not operate multi-million-pound companies and are mainly micro SMEs (up to ten) or sole practitioners. They will simply not have the capital to fund uninsured losses for remedial work that they had no influence or control over. CIAT would also suggest that the Government opens dialogue with the sector and experts who could contribute to a constructive way forward to enshrine legislation which is proportionate, fair and achievable. CIAT will be assessing the results of the debate at Report Stage when the revised Bill is published. This is expected at some point after 2 March 2022.