Resonance, one of the UK’s leading social impact investors, has announced that Gloucestershire Pension Fund (GPF) has invested £30m into its National Homelessness Property Fund 2 (NHPF2). £20m of this investment will be invested directly into immediately buying and refurbishing around 90 properties in Gloucestershire, helping the region cut the number of households in unsuitable temporary accommodation. Known as homelessness property funds, the model operates by attracting capital from institutional investors, such as pension funds, to acquire properties, refurbish them to a high standard, improve their energy efficiency and lease them to expert housing partners, including homelessness charities and housing associations. Tenants are provided with stable, affordable accommodation in safe areas in the heart of local communities. They will also receive support with their health, wellbeing and in seeking employment and training opportunities. This support will be provided by Developing Health and Independence (DHI), who will lease the properties from the fund. Chris Cullen, Head of Homelessness Property Funds at Resonance, said: “There are over 117,000 households living in temporary accommodation across England, including over 130,000 dependent children, and this number continues to rise. “We are very grateful for Gloucestershire Pension Fund’s place-based investment into National Homelessness Property Fund 2, which illustrates the difference that local government pension funds can make to the area in which their members live. He continued: “It will enable us to provide much needed homes in Gloucestershire for some of those households that are in temporary accommodation and that don’t have a place to call home.” Across all of Gloucestershire Local Authorities there were, as of March 2024, 315 households in Temporary Accommodation, including nearly 200 in Gloucester City alone. This news comes as many councils grapple with mounting financial pressures, with £2.29bn spent a year on providing emergency temporary accommodation to homeless households, an increase of 29% from the previous twelve months.[1] Rosie Phillips, CEO at DHI, commented:“As a social inclusion charity, the provision of safe affordable housing is of paramount importance. Housing is the single biggest cost pressure on struggling individuals and families and lack of affordable housing causes stress, inequality and poor health. “Without a secure place to live, progress in other aspects of life will be poor. A safe place to call home provides people with a platform on which to build their lives.” She went on to add: “It is great to be able to work in partnership with Resonance on this initiative, which aligns with our approach of helping people to achieve their potential from the foundations up, while improving health and wellbeing and reducing inequalities and disadvantage in communities.” NHPF2 operates across England and, including this investment, has to date raised c£129m, and purchased over 350 homes, housing almost 500 tenants who were facing a housing crisis. This latest £30m investment will help provide homes for potentially 750 individuals and families over the lifetime of the fund. Institutional investors into the fund include other pension funds, such as Greater Manchester Pension Fund, and several local authorities. [1] https://www.crisis.org.uk/about-us/media-centre/council-spending-on-emergency-accommodation-tops-22bn/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Ocean House, once a high-rise office building, has been converted into a luxury residential complex, redefining urban living within a repurposed commercial space. This transformation included a full interior refurbishment, the addition of two extra floors and the installation of two new Stannah lifts, one of which is a firefighter lift. Located in Saint Leonards-on-Sea, the building now features 84 high-quality self-contained apartments with a mix of one and two bedrooms. The lift solution for Ocean House was designed by Stannah at the request of building contractor DRG Solutions. The project was initiated by Elmsbrook, a company renowned for acquiring office buildings and converting them into premium residential housing. Work Stannah installed two 8-person passenger lifts, one of which is a firefighter lift, into existing building lift shafts to service the newly extended 14th floor. Stannah collaborated with DRG Solutions, which handled the shaft extensions and existing lift removals. Following this, Stannah carried out detailed preparatory work, including a full dimensional survey of the lift shaft and producing building work drawings to guide necessary modifications. As a result, DRG Solutions adjusted the shafts to align with the new lift dimensions, facilitating a smoother installation. When the original building was used as offices it had four lifts, so two of the now redundant lift shafts were repurposed for A.O.V. (Automatic Opening Ventilation) and electrical risers, maximising the use of the existing infrastructure. Additional building work included a full strip-out of the former office interiors, installation of a new roof, aluminium windows, upgraded electrical systems and new plumbing. The project also added external lighting and an evacuation alert control system to meet modern safety standards. Challenge The primary challenge was to complete the lift installation within a very tight schedule and at an early stage of the project works. Therefore, Stannah maximised labour efficiency, deploying two teams to work safely in the confined space of the lift shafts and carefully managed schedules while still delivering a high-quality installation. Due to the nature of the installation and extremely narrow shafts, the health and safety of on-site team members was a priority. To make the space more accessible, Stannah opted for 2.5-metre guide rails instead of the standard 5-metre guides. This allowed for easier handling and installation, reducing the physical constraints that installers face in tight lift shafts. Another challenge was the complexity of low lintel heights above the lift doors. To address this, Stannah proposed a solution that involved pushing the lifts further into the shaft, effectively allowing the doors to fit without modifying the lintels or risking damage to the building’s original structure. A 25mm ramp was also added to the firefighting lift to reposition the lift entrance without compromising structural integrity, minimising the need for further building works. Solution Due to the age of the existing lifts, a modernisation would not be cost-effective, so Stannah recommended a complete lift replacement. Stannah proposed the installation of two 8-person stainless steel firefighter and MRL (Motor Room Less) traction passenger lifts both with a weight capacity of 630 kg. The MRL lifts are equipped with gearless variable voltage drives offering a smooth and energy-efficient operation providing a reliable performance over time. The new lifts comply with EN81-73 standards, which ensure safe shutdown in the event of a fire and include firefighting controls for enhanced occupant safety. The lift is also equipped with a car preference key switch, allowing it to ignore external landing calls during an emergency and respond solely to commands from firefighters within the lift car. Both lifts span a travel height of 43.63 metres and operate at a speed of 1.6 metres per second, enabling quick and smooth access across all 14 floors. With the end user in mind, Stannah prioritised accessibility and durability in the lift’s design. The use of high-quality stainless steel and automatic, two-panel side-opening doors make the lift both robust and easily accessible. This facilitates the efficient movement of residents throughout the building with a commitment to delivering a premium and safe lift system. The results The lift solution provided by Stannah focused on accessibility, safety and operational efficiency. Stannah delivered a tailored lift system that perfectly aligned with the project’s logistical needs and design specifications. By proactively addressing potential challenges and maintaining close coordination with all teams, Stannah successfully integrated two new lifts into the existing building structure ahead of schedule and within budget. To ensure aesthetic appeal and a robust lift solution, Stannah incorporated stainless steel car finishes, Selcom Midi car door operators were selected for both lifts to create a cohesive and durable lift system that exceeded the client’s expectations. To avoid frequent misuse, Stannah recommended the installation of CCTV within the lift cars and lobbies. In response, additionally, Stannah has implemented 24/7 service coverage, offering prompt support and ensuring the lifts’ continuous operation. The combination of the passenger and firefighter lifts provided a practical solution, transforming the building into a highly desirable residential space with step-free access to all areas. Larry Power, Passenger Lift Sales Managerat Stannah said: “As a returning client, we are thrilled to have collaborated closely with DRG Solutions to provide step-free access to this luxurious high-rise residential building. “Effective communication was crucial throughout the project, especially as we worked alongside other on-site teams to meet tight deadlines. Thanks to strong coordination, the dedication of our on-site team and careful management of health and safety, we were able to complete the installation four weeks ahead of schedule.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

MORE than 150 leaders in the energy efficiency sector met this month for the annual National Home Decarbonisation Group (NHDG) and National Insulation Association (NIA) Parliamentary Reception, hosted in the historic House of Lords Cholmondeley Room and Terrace by Lord Best.   Members of both groups were in the esteemed company of Bill Esterson MP, Labour MP for Sefton Central and chair of the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee, as well as Selvin Brown, director of net zero buildings – domestic at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ).  Talks reflected on the significant strides forward in decarbonisation of the UK’s housing stock over recent years and the bold ambitions for the future shared by the government, public and private sectors. With the new Labour government’s commitments to energy efficiency now laid out, it was a crucial time for both organisations to come together and discuss how to turn plans into reality. NHDG members had also met earlier in the day for its latest forum, with attendance from DESNZ, Retrofit Information, Support and Expertise (RISE), and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).   Derek Horrocks, chair of both the National Home Decarbonisation Group and the National Insulation Association, said: “It is a hugely exciting time to be involved in energy efficiency, and the ongoing cooperation between key stakeholders reveals a strong sense of optimism. The challenges we face have been identified, but there is confidence and trust that the rising investment in retrofit measures and clean energy will be effective in improving the lives of millions of people.   “Events such as the recent Parliamentary Reception are always used to highlight the issues caused by cold, damp and mouldy environments that people are unfortunately still occupying. However, the collective drive among members of the NHDG and NIA can create lasting change that will regenerate communities and ensure our housing stock meets much higher standards than are currently common.   “I must thank our guests Bill Esterson MP and Selvin Brown for their attendance and engagement, not only at the recent event but day to day too as the sector moves forwards. Having the government’s attention and financial support means that the private sector can sustain the necessary resources and influence greater policy, innovation and skills development.”  Members of the NHDG and NIA specialise in retrofit decarbonisation and insulation respectively. Both organisations aim to drive and demonstrate best practice in an effort to raise standards, which will help to tackle critical societal issues, including the five main crises of today – health, cost of living, housing, energy security and climate.    Gary Lawson, managing director at headline sponsor Sustainable Building Services (UK) Ltd, said: “The NHDG is very unique. Being a member means that we can contribute to collective growth in scale of energy efficiency works. There are economies of scale that are not yet being achieved to the extent that is possible, but we’re making an effort to change this alongside our fellow members who are equally committed to collaboration. It is clear that self-interests are being put to one side so that the leading experts in energy efficiency can improve overall retrofit delivery and results.”  The Parliamentary Reception event was also sponsored by Axis Europe, InstaGroup, Morgan Sindall Property Services, Smart Energie and CoreLogic.   To learn more about NHDG, its aims and its members, please visit the website at: https://www.nhdg.org/  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Timothy Douglas, Head of Policy and Campaigns at Propertymark, said: “The private rented sector needs less selective licensing not more with the additional costs and duplication of rules that it brings. To this end, there are enough laws covering high standards for rented property, but it’s the lack of capacity of local authorities to actively inspect property and enforce these rules that is the main issue. Licensing means councils spend all their time administering schemes, rather than enforcing against rogue, criminal landlords. “The Renters’ Rights Bill offers an opportunity to phase out licensing schemes, provide councils with the resources they need and endorse professional letting agent and landlords alongside the introduction of the Decent Homes Standard and Private Rented Sector Database. However, it would seem that the UK Government is failing to recognise the benefits of doing this and not providing local authorities with the much-needed investment they need to enforce the wide range of legislation that already exists.”  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Following the publication of the revised NPPF earlier today, Ian Barnett, National Land Director, Leaders Romans Group has provided a comment on: Ian Barnett, National Land Director, Leaders Romans Group (LRG) What a difference a year makes.  The NPPF changes announced today provide and new framework for the industry to work to and a flurry of activity on LinkedIn as everyone seeks to understand the key points and how they will affect their projects.  The key points are: There have been many grand announcements in my time in planning and development.  The priority has always been to build enough houses for the country’s population in the right places in a manner that protects the most valuable landscapes and environmentally sensitive areas.  So are the latest announcements in any different to what we’ve all heard before?  On paper – yes absolutely.  The conviction and tone as well as the content (and indeed the fact it’s announced ahead of when most people expected!) does suggest that this time at least the Government is serious.  The new NPPF gives an opportunity for the whole narrative on development and housing delivery to change.  Whilst some would like to have seen more in terms of strategic planning, today’s NPPF at least gives a new window of opportunity for many sites that are suitable for development and which have been held up by inefficiencies and lack of resources, meddling local politics and NIMBYism to come forward.   Delivering 1.5m houses in the first term is ambitious and unrealistic but it was utterly impossible under the previous planning system.  The time for delivery is here and it’s the responsibility of everyone in the industry – developers, landowners, planners and local authorities to do what is needed.  The framework is there – but it will take time to bed in and what we need now more than anything after a new NPPF update for the last two Christmases is stability so we can get on with the task ahead.  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals