CHAS, the supply chain risk management expert, highlights ten issues that will affect construction supply chains in 2022. 1. The Building Safety Bill The Building Safety Bill, currently making its way through Parliament, is set to change how certain buildings are constructed, maintained and made safe. It will include regulatory
Other key challenges include getting hold of materials and struggling to recruit staff A fifth (20%) of UK electricians think 2022 will be a better year than 2021 for their companies Almost one in five (19%) electrical companies are looking to hire new staff in 2022 The rising cost of
Premier Modular, one of the UK’s leading offsite specialists, has been awarded a £21m contract to construct a new outpatient services building at King’s College Hospital in London. The 3,450sqm, four-storey scheme is Premier’s largest single healthcare project in its 65-year history. Constructed offsite, this large-scale building will allow the
Prologis UK has appointed two new customer-facing staff to focus on maintaining and developing customer relationships as demand for logistics property continues to grow. Will Cassar and Milena Blair will be drawing on their experience in the property and logistics sector to support customers in securing logistics facilities in the
The McGoff Group has received planning approval for its eagerly anticipated Market 41 food hall development on the corner of Railway Road and Greenfield Avenue in the centre of Urmston, Greater Manchester. The decision was made at Trafford Council’s planning committee meeting with committee members voting in favour of the
Joseph Mews Property Group offering residential developments to buyers launches this week A new property investment group has this week been launched in the Midlands, which will target both investors and landlords. The Joseph Mews Property Group has been set up by former SevenCapital director Andy Foote – who formerly
Hull City Council has today published a decision record that confirms that Royal HaskoningDHV has been appointed to provide planning consultancy support for the delivery of the Cruise Hull Yorkshire terminal project. The appointment of the specialist international firm comes following an open tender process in which bids were assessed
Scheme will deliver further 109,250 sq. ft industrial space along with 200 jobs Network Space has appointed Caddick Construction to deliver the £9.5m Phase Two of its Tunstall Arrow scheme after securing unanimous planning approval in the summer. The second phase of the Tunstall Arrow development will provide an additional
Living Space Housing – in conjunction with social housing provider Stonewater – has submitted a Full Planning Application to Malvern Hills District Council for 79 new homes on a 2.7Ha (6.7-acre) complex brownfield site located off Bath Road, south of Worcester. The proposal is for a mixed-tenure housing solution, to
Ibstock plc, a leading UK manufacturer of clay bricks and concrete products, is pleased to announce ambitious new carbon reduction commitments, including a target for the business to be net zero by 2040. Having substantially achieved their existing goal of a 15% reduction in CO2 per tonne of production, the
CHAS, the supply chain risk management expert, highlights ten issues that will affect construction supply chains in 2022. 1. The Building Safety Bill The Building Safety Bill, currently making its way through Parliament, is set to change how certain buildings are constructed, maintained and made safe. It will include regulatory reforms on fire safety and quality of construction products and will introduce a developer levy. Virtually everyone involved in the design, construction and management of higher-risk buildings will be affected. It is expected that the Bill will receive Royal Assent between April and June 2022 with the provisions coming into force in stages. The HSE will oversee the new building safety regime and is already urging affected parties such as designers to prepare. For more information, subscribe to the HSE’s free BSR eBulletin here: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKHSE/signup/15087 2. New framework for Environmental protection The Environment Bill became the Environment Act 2021 when it received Royal Assent on 9th November 2021, introducing a post-Brexit framework for environmental governance, primarily in England. The Act paves the way for further laws and guidelines such as legally binding targets around air pollution, biodiversity, water quality and waste which will be defined in due course. Businesses of all sizes can prepare by reviewing how they currently monitor and manage environmental processes and ensuring environmental management remains high on their agenda. 3. Net Zero targets From 1st October 2021, it became mandatory for all companies bidding for government contracts worth more than five million pounds a year to commit to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. Under the new rules, set out in Public Policy Note 06/21, in-scope organisations need to produce a carbon reduction plan detailing where their emissions come from and what environmental management measures they have in place. While some large companies already self-report Scope 1 (direct) and Scope 2 (indirect owned) carbon emissions under the Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting regulations, the new targets require them to go further. This includes committing to achieving Net Zero by 2050 and reporting Scope 3 emissions such as business travel, employee commuting, transportation, distribution and waste. The requirements currently only apply to government contracts, but they could become an advisory part of the Common Assessment Standard in 2022. 4. Focus on Diversity & Inclusion Diversity & Inclusion is an issue steadily rising up the supply chain agenda, with construction clients increasingly looking for evidence that contractors are proactive in this area. A progressive Diversity & Inclusion strategy will look to create a positive workplace environment where everyone feels valued and people are treated as individuals according to their needs. This may, for example, include making reasonable workplace adjustments to accommodate those with disabilities or those that have different work/life commitments. To help companies improve their approach to Diversity & Inclusion, The Supply Chain Sustainability School offers a free Fairness, Inclusion & Respect toolkit which can be accessed here:https://www.supplychainschool.co.uk/topics/fir/ 5. The standardisation of Social Value The concept of social value has been around for a while but it is set to become more defined in 2022. Within construction, social value usually covers how a build can add value in terms of its wider social, economic, and environmental benefits, but there is growing demand for more consistent measurement of social value. The Social Value Portal’s National Social Value Measurement Framework – also known as the National TOMS – provides a consistent method of reporting and measuring social value. Construction companies can find out more about how they can implement it in their business practices here: socialvalueportal.com/national-toms/ 6. The increase in digitalisation Digitalisation has been a slow burner for the construction industry, but according to McKinsey , Covid-19 was a turning point with 50% of companies surveyed saying they have increased investment in digital transformation to meet the demands of the next normal. Central to the construction industry’s digital transformation is Building Information Modelling (BIM), which offers digital modelling for all components of the construction process from tools, people and materials to mapping work areas, reducing defects and identifying health and safety hotspots. The ability to move the planning of build projects online allows a more collaborative way of working with stakeholders having access to data and documents from anywhere and at any time. Guidance on implementing BIM, designed to help construction businesses on their journey to digital transformation, is available from the UK BIM Framework and is updated quarterly. 7. The skills shortage Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show a record leap in job vacancies, estimated to be 1.2 million in September 2021 across all industries. The skills shortage has been a growing concern within construction due to workers reaching retirement age and not enough people entering the industry to replace them. Furthermore, the industry has seen a 42% decline in EU workers. The skills shortage makes it even more critical that efforts to diversify the industry and attract a wider range of people to construction roles pay off. It also reinforces the importance of looking after existing staff and contractors. In recent months CHAS has seen record use of the CHAS Jobs Board, a free resource that allows construction clients to quickly and easily find local accredited contractors. Find out more here: www.chas.co.uk/blog/jobs-board-now-live/ 8. Materials shortages The Department for Business and Energy and Industrial Strategy’s Monthly Statistic of Building and Components consistently showed month-on-month price rises throughout 2021. The Construction Leadership Council reported improvements in product supply in some areas, and the Timber Trade Federation (TTF) are now receiving record-breaking timber imports; however, supplies are still likely to be under strain in 2022. A shortage of HGV drivers to deliver materials remains an issue, with take-up low for the government’s 10,500 visas for overseas lorry drivers. An FMB survey shows jobs are still being delayed as a result. 9. COVID-19 Covid-19 is still circulating with outbreaks and the impact of new variants difficult to predict. Businesses will therefore need to remain COVID-secure and continue to manage the risks of the virus in 2022.
Other key challenges include getting hold of materials and struggling to recruit staff A fifth (20%) of UK electricians think 2022 will be a better year than 2021 for their companies Almost one in five (19%) electrical companies are looking to hire new staff in 2022 The rising cost of materials will be the most significant challenge facing UK electricians in 2022, according to a new report assessing the confidence of the industry. The study, conducted by ElectricalDirect, specialist retailer of electrical products, surveyed electricians about their views on the year ahead and found that, while some are quietly optimistic, they are well aware of the upcoming difficulties. Overall, a fifth (20%) of UK electricians think 2022 will be a better year for their companies than 2021, and one in seven (14%) believe the industry will grow stronger over the coming months. In fact, almost one in five (19%) electrical workers believe their company will have fully recovered from the pandemic by this time next year, and the same number (19%) are looking to expand and hire new staff. Furthermore, more than one in six (18%) electricians think they’ll be in a stronger financial position in 2022, with more work (18%) and better job security (21%). However, some electricians are naturally more cautious about the next 12 months. Almost a quarter (22%) think their company will find business tough in 2022 and one in seven (14%) think the industry will struggle. All the respondents acknowledged that there will inevitably be challenges, and the rising cost of materials is the number one concern (23%). Simply getting hold of materials is also a worry (22%), as is the ability to recruit people to fill job vacancies (22%). Interestingly, the main challenges vary slightly by generation. Recruitment (24%) is the biggest cause of apprehension amongst millennials (25-34s), while for 35–44-year-olds, the rising cost of materials (22%) tops the list. For 45-54s, getting hold of tools and equipment (24%) is the major stressor. Dominick Sandford, Managing Director at ElectricalDirect, said: “It’s been an incredibly difficult couple of years for both the country and the electrical industry, and while there is still a long way to go before a full recovery can be expected, it’s encouraging to see that some electricians are feeling positive as we approach 2022. “However, it’s clear that for many, the next 12 months will involve challenges of all shapes and sizes, and we hope that electricians are able to ride out the storm until the landscape finally stabilises.” For more information about the report, including data breakdowns by age, gender and region, visit: https://www.electricaldirect.co.uk/blog/a-bright-future
Premier Modular, one of the UK’s leading offsite specialists, has been awarded a £21m contract to construct a new outpatient services building at King’s College Hospital in London. The 3,450sqm, four-storey scheme is Premier’s largest single healthcare project in its 65-year history. Constructed offsite, this large-scale building will allow the Trust to free up space within the main hospital to help reduce waiting times and improve the patient experience for urgent care services. As main contractor, Premier will be leading the project team which includes delivery partner Claritas, P+HS Architects, and M&E specialists, TClarke. Awarded under the Crown Commercial Service modular buildings framework, the project follows the team’s successful delivery of a £10m contract for the offsite construction of a 62-bed Priority Assessment Unit at St Peter’s Hospital in Chertsey. The new outpatient services building at King’s College Hospital will provide 48 purpose-designed consultation rooms and eight procedure rooms for a range of services, including dermatology, rheumatology, respiratory, neurosciences, pain management, and urology as well as other aspects of surgery and therapies. Dan Allison, Divisional Director at Premier Modular, said, “The use of an offsite solution for this project will ensure faster delivery and earlier occupation, to the benefit of patient care.” “Offsite construction is safer, quieter and cleaner than in-situ construction, which will radically reduce disruption during the build phase to staff and patients, and the surrounding residential community. This type of building solution is also enormously beneficial on restricted hospital sites such as this, reducing the amount of plant, materials, and vehicle movements to site by undertaking as much work in the factory as we can. The new building has access roads to three sides and is immediately adjacent to the Normanby Building.” “We are working to a short programme to bring these state-of-the art facilities into use as early as possible this year, to the benefit of patients and to assist with the rising demand for hospital services.” Stephen Hatcher, Associate at P+HS Architects, said, “The building is designed to minimise impact on the environment over its life and is targeting a BREEAM excellent rating. It will have areas of green roof to encourage biodiversity, a highly insulated building fabric to reduce heat loss and running costs, energy-efficient ventilation and electric air source heat pump system for heating, and solar panels for electricity generation.” The façade design will be contemporary and was informed by the existing buildings on the hospital campus.A double-height feature entrance will provide visibility externally and allow high levels of natural light for the reception and waiting area. Developed in collaboration with clinicians and patient representatives, the interior design will be crisp and modern, whilst assisting patients with sensory needs. To maintain patient flows, the new facility will be linked to the Normanby Building at ground floor level. Premier Modular is providing a full turnkey construction package for this project including engagement with the clinical team at the design stages, development of a highly sustainable M&E strategy, demolition of an existing building on the site, groundworks, offsite manufacture, module installation, and fitting out. For further information, visit www.premiermodular.co.uk, call 0800 316 0888 or email info@premiermodular.co.uk.
Prologis UK has appointed two new customer-facing staff to focus on maintaining and developing customer relationships as demand for logistics property continues to grow. Will Cassar and Milena Blair will be drawing on their experience in the property and logistics sector to support customers in securing logistics facilities in the locations they need and ensuring their transition to a new property is as seamless and hassle-free as possible. They will be working with a variety of customers, large and small, including many household names such as Royal Mail, boohoo, Dunelm, Eddie Stobart and Tesco. Both Will and Milena will be responsible for working closely with customers at all 22 Prologis Parks in the UK to deliver successful outcomes, help navigate market conditions, solve problems and provide flexibility, and support for bids and pitches. They will also be responsible for engaging with customers around initiatives such as PARKLife, training programmes and green transport schemes. Will Cassar is joining Prologis’ Capital Deployment team and will focus on helping to grow the company’s Customer Led Development business. In his previous role at CBRE he acted for some existing Prologis’ customers, such as Dunelm, and also has experience of working with real estate teams at Geodis, LG Electronics, General Electric, and leading online retailers. Phil Oakley, vice president, Customer Led Development at Prologis UK, said: “Will brings a great deal of experience to support us in expanding our Customer Led Development business across the UK. Having worked with Prologis and some our customers previously, he has first-hand knowledge of our high standards when building and maintaining customer relationships. I look forward to working with Will and I am convinced that he will be an asset to the UK team and the wider business.” Formerly at ADP, Milena Blair joined Prologis in November 2021 as of Real Estate and Customer Experience manager for London and the Southeast. Her role focuses on developing and strengthening customer relationships within the region, the development of Prologis Essentials business lines, and helping to build the PARKLife experience for the benefit of customers in the region. She has a particular focus on community outreach, social responsibility and sustainability. Stuart Davies, real estate and customer experience lead at Prologis UK, said: “Milena is an important addition to our team, and she brings a wealth of experience in areas such as client management, customer care and supporting the introduction of new business lines. These attributes are already proving to be important assets and we are delighted to have Milena onboard.”
The McGoff Group has received planning approval for its eagerly anticipated Market 41 food hall development on the corner of Railway Road and Greenfield Avenue in the centre of Urmston, Greater Manchester. The decision was made at Trafford Council’s planning committee meeting with committee members voting in favour of the development to enhance the existing market site and contribute to the future vitality of Urmston town centre. The next step for Altrincham-based McGoff Group is to secure funding for the multi million pound private development and the company is in advanced conversations with potential funding institutions. The company will also be refreshing contact with the many food and beverage operators who had initially expressed an interest in trading from the new development to see if they are still keen to be involved. They will also be inviting fresh applications from potential new traders, ensuring the best blend and appropriate mix of operators are selected for a successful project. Director at the McGoff Group, Chris McGoff, commented: “We are delighted to finally receive approval for Market 41 and are looking forward to getting the business planning and funding discussions underway once more. The last couple of years have presented unforeseen operational challenges across all sectors, including hospitality, forcing us to re-think how Market 41 would function in a post-pandemic world. We are confident that the concept has been sufficiently future-proofed to reduce operational risk for all involved and are pleased to back on track with a project that will be of economic value to Urmston and economically viable for all involved whatever the future holds.” The approved plans for Market 41 comprise a three-storey scheme with a food hall and communal dining area at its heart. Modular units will provide a clear distinction between individual operators and there will be more outdoor space along with a retractable roof to promote the constant flow of fresh air. In addition to an exciting mix of cafes, restaurants and bars located on the ground and first floors, Market 41 will benefit from dedicated areas for flexible working, lifestyle pop-ups, artisan markets, plus private dining and events. The second floor will feature a 32-room contactless ‘hands free’ hotel and stunning rooftop event area. McGoff continues: “We understand that there has been a lot of interest regarding Market 41; over the next couple of months we aim to reconnect with interested operators and make contact with new ones, finalise the operating model and secure the funding needed to deliver a fantastic market that Urmston can be really proud of.” It is hoped that construction will start on site in summer 2022. For further information on Market 41 please contact Paul Danks on paul.danks@mcgoffgroup.com or visit www.market41.com.
Joseph Mews Property Group offering residential developments to buyers launches this week A new property investment group has this week been launched in the Midlands, which will target both investors and landlords. The Joseph Mews Property Group has been set up by former SevenCapital director Andy Foote – who formerly led the distribution side of that business as SevenInvest – and already has three new UK residential developments on its books. The developments will be announced later this month by the group alongside the four new developers they will be working with. Joseph Mews will assist these developers in bringing these new developments to market across some of the most exciting investment locations in the country. Andy is well known within the Midlands, having led SevenCapital’s global distribution team through more than £900 million in sales for the past eight years. Now, he is expanding that distribution team, SevenInvest, into the Joseph Mews Property Group. Joseph Mews Property Group will sit within his existing group of companies, including Alexander Daniels, The Brain Tumour Charity, BMS Ltd and Nub & Ho Properties. With a focus on helping clients to build wealth through property, the business will also provide industry-leading market research, in-depth investment consultancy and outstanding customer service that Andy has successfully led teams to deliver over the past few years. Andy said: “Myself and the team are incredibly excited to be taking on this new challenge, which will allow us to extend our reach to new audiences and partners around the globe while providing an outstanding standard of care and exceptional investment opportunities for clients. “Our focus will be on delivering quality developments alongside quality developers, working closely with capable and trusted partners to bring the most exciting projects to our investors.” Based in the Jewellery Quarter, Joseph Mews Property Group was named after Andy’s son who passed away in 2007 to a brain tumour aged just nine-years-old. For more details about Joseph Mews email Sales@Joseph-Mews.com or visit www.joseph-mews.com.
Hull City Council has today published a decision record that confirms that Royal HaskoningDHV has been appointed to provide planning consultancy support for the delivery of the Cruise Hull Yorkshire terminal project. The appointment of the specialist international firm comes following an open tender process in which bids were assessed on a ‘best value’ basis combining both price and quality. As a result of this process, the council will now be able to progress the project in completion of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Habitats Regulation Assessment (HRA), and subsequently submit a planning application in 2022 for the Sammy’s Point site. Councillor Daren Hale, Leader of Hull City Council said: “Hull needs a dedicated cruise facility in the heart of the Old Town so that we can greet cruise passengers with a five-star welcome and an immediate experience of Hull, in addition to the region’s world class visitor attractions. “This could also be a carbon reduction measure, reducing the need for journey to south coast ports. “A new cruise facility would be a huge boost to our plans to increase tourism and create new jobs, therefore this appointment is welcomed.” The proposed design includes Shore-Side Electricity as a carbon reduction measure which allows cruise ship operators to turn off ship engines while in port and rely on more efficient power systems to reduce overall emissions. Work will begin immediately to progress the scheme at a total cost of £ 182,185, running until 2025.
Scheme will deliver further 109,250 sq. ft industrial space along with 200 jobs Network Space has appointed Caddick Construction to deliver the £9.5m Phase Two of its Tunstall Arrow scheme after securing unanimous planning approval in the summer. The second phase of the Tunstall Arrow development will provide an additional 109,250 sq. ft of industrial workspace on the 8-acre plot, bringing an additional 200 jobs to the area. The buildings will be ready for occupation in Autumn 2022. Acquired by Network Space in 2013, the Tunstall Arrow site is a 28-acre former colliery site adjoining the A527 (James Brindley Way) in Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent. The scheme is close to the A500, with access to Junction 16 of the M6 only minutes away. Phase Two comprises of five detached, self-contained, units ranging from 13,000 up to 30,000 sq. ft, bringing the long-term brownfield site back into productive employment use. The transformation will also include significant remediation to address historic coal workings and disused mine shafts. Caddick Construction started on site in November 2021 and will deliver the high-specification business premises for industrial or logistic uses. This follows quickly on from the demand seen for Phase One which opened early in 2019. It is currently fully let to a host of international tenants such as: the Dutch tool and equipment hire company Boels Rental, German global delivery service DHL Express, Australian fleet management company SG Fleet Group. Tunstall Arrow is a priority development for one of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, being one of the six sites in the Ceramic Valley Enterprise Zone.. The CVEZ is one of 48 enterprise zones across the UK with the potential to create up to 6,700 jobs. The zone covers 3.3 million sq. ft of commercial space across six key sites along the A500 corridor. Simon Peters, Development Director at Network Space, said: “We are delighted to have appointed Caddick Construction and to see work start on site . Phase Two will build on the success of Tunstall Arrow Phase One which has enjoyed full occupancy since opening. It has been particularly popular with international companies seeking a prime business location in the North West. “Logistics and industrial demand continues to be extremely strong across the North West,” he added. “Tunstall Arrow will attract further inward investment and secure hundreds of new jobs for the Stoke-on-Trent.” Ian Threadgold, Managing Director of Caddick Construction (North West) said: “We are delighted to be working again with Network Space on another exciting scheme that brings so many economic benefits to the North West. The team are keen to bring this brownfield site back to life, particularly with the additional challenges posed by the former colliery workings.” Caddick Construction is currently working with Network Space on the £15m Spitfire Court, Triumph Business Park, Speke, which is delivering 12 Grade A industrial units ranging in size from 3,000 to 34,000 sq. ft. This project is due to complete by early 2022. Network Space has been providing industrial workspace and warehousing for almost 40 years and intends to deliver 2.5 million sq. ft of industrial property over the next five years. Tunstall Arrow Phase Two is expected to be completed in Autumn 2022.
Living Space Housing – in conjunction with social housing provider Stonewater – has submitted a Full Planning Application to Malvern Hills District Council for 79 new homes on a 2.7Ha (6.7-acre) complex brownfield site located off Bath Road, south of Worcester. The proposal is for a mixed-tenure housing solution, to meet the needs for affordable housing within the burgeoning cathedral city. Located in Broomhill, on the outskirts of central Worcester, and north of the traditional village of Kempsey, the site – which is the former Aston Coaches depot – is positioned between an access road off Bath Road and the banks of the River Severn. Since the coach and minibus specialist’s move to a more suitable location in Earl’s Croome, the brownfield land is considered suitable for redevelopment. Living Space proposes to demolish a range of buildings to make way for a high-quality residential scheme. The site is within the Worcester South Urban Extension Area and was granted consent for residential use in April 2018. Living Space and Stonewater’s detailed development plans propose terraced and semi-detached two- three- and four-bedroom houses, two-bedroom bungalows, and one-bedroom apartments, catering for single occupancy, couples, and families of varying sizes. The plans also include provision for a minimum 30% of the available land to be dedicated to Public Open Space, creating net biodiversity gains. Chris Loizou, Land and Partnerships Director for Living Space Housing said: “We are very pleased to submit plans for this strategic site in conjunction with Stonewater. This scheme marks our third project with Stonewater in as many years, following on from our mutual successful developments in Malvern and Kidderminster. And, with 79 affordable homes, this project will become Living Space’s largest development to date. “As can be the case with brownfield sites, there are a number of technical complexities to overcome with this type of redevelopment project, which our plans fully address. There is also a public right of way across the land, which will be safeguarded, while the scenic riverside setting will be significantly enhanced. Our project team is looking forward to working alongside Planning Officers, Councillors, and additional consultees while the planning application is being considered.” The site is enclosed to the east and south by established trees and vegetation. A bus stop with three routes to Upton upon Severn and Hanley Castle is located on Bath Road, opposite the site. Approximately 0.3 miles south of the site entrance – a five-minute walk away – is another bus stop, with regular services running to Worcester city centre, ensuring this is a highly sustainable location to develop new affordable housing. Matt Crucefix, Director of Development (West and South) for Stonewater said: “There is a chronic shortage of the range of homes that we are proposing, and so this scheme is important to enhance the provision of varying types of affordable housing in Worcester. Whilst working towards our vision of giving everyone the opportunity to have a place that they can call home, as with all our new developments, we’ll also be looking to enhance the public realm and convey a distinctive narrative of place, uncovering histories and nuances of the area, for the whole community to enjoy. “Upon completion, the homes at Bath Road will provide an affordable option for families and individuals looking to rent, or take their first step on the property ladder, helping to meet Worcester’s housing demands.” The public right of way across the site will be unchanged by the new residential development. A green corridor will be created, opening up the land for the enjoyment of the new residents and wider local community. Sustainable urban drainage and new attractive landscape features will have the potential to support a biodiversity of invertebrates, insects, amphibians, birds and small mammals. Designed by Worcester-based DJD Architects, the scheme design is tenure-blind, with local materials proposed to replicate nearby traditional dwellings. A contrast of varying red and buff bricks with grey and terracotta roof tiles defines the design principles. The houses are arranged into pairs of semi-detached homes and small terraces, addressing the new street layout, and creating secure rear gardens. There will also be continuous enclosed active street frontages with good natural surveillance. The house designs are all two storeys high, while the apartments will be situated in blocks of three-storeys. The bungalows are designed to be both accessible and adaptable, to cater for the future residents’ specific needs. A total of 152 parking spaces will be provided for across the scheme, to cater for residents’ use and for visitor parking.
Ibstock plc, a leading UK manufacturer of clay bricks and concrete products, is pleased to announce ambitious new carbon reduction commitments, including a target for the business to be net zero by 2040. Having substantially achieved their existing goal of a 15% reduction in CO2 per tonne of production, the Group has established new, more stretching targets to achieve a 40% reduction by 2030, and a commitment to become net carbon zero by 2040. This ambitious new net zero commitment will cover scope 1 & 2 emissions – including investment in more efficient production processes and in high quality environmental projects to offset residual carbon. A strategy to reduce indirect Scope 3 carbon emissions, which contribute less than 40% of the business impact, will be developed in 2022. These new targets build on the Group’s existing sustainability roadmap commitments, creating a framework of targets and critical milestones at the centre of a new 2030 sustainability strategy. Full details of the new sustainability strategy and net zero journey will be published in March 2022, as part of the Group’s 2021 results announcement. Pledging net zero by 2040 is yet another bold commitment from the Group – following significant announcements throughout 2021 – further demonstrating the Group’s active progress to address climate change and move the business into the low carbon economy. Just some of the 2021 announcements include: The launch of ‘Ibstock Futures’ a new business unit, directly addressing a number of exciting future growth markets – with sustainability and the industrialisation of traditional construction processes gathering pace Investment of over £115m committed to construct two state of the art, net zero factories within the existing footprint at Ibstock’s Atlas and Nostell sites Procurement of 100% of electricity from renewable sources The Group are also proud to have received multiple sustainability awards in reflection of both leadership and progress – following investment in new production capacity at multiple plants across the network over the last 20 years, reducing carbon intensity of the manufacturing process. Joe Hudson, Chief Executive Officer of Ibstock PLC, commented: “Whilst we know we have much more to do, I am delighted that we are making progress on our commitments and are able to announce further carbon reduction targets in such an ambitious timeframe. These new carbon commitments, including our pledge to be net zero by 2040, represent a bold step on our journey to address climate change and move the business into the low carbon economy. I am proud of our colleagues across the business who are driving forward our sustainability agenda and securing its place at the core of our purpose as a business and I look forward to presenting further details on our ambitions and targets in March 2022.’’