Willmott Dixon: Building knowledge

As of January 2024, most construction projects will need to incorporate 10% Biodiversity Net Gain into their plans.

In our latest 'Building Knowledge' podcast, two of our sustainability managers, Simone Codrington and Morgan Price, discuss how these new mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain requirements will apply to construction projects.

Areas they cover include:

• What biodiversity is and why it's important

Green and blue spaces are key ingredients in placemaking, but they aren't always seen as a priority. As towns and cities look to evolve, green and blue spaces need to be an integral part of urban regeneration schemes.

• Creating community-centric places where people want to spend time

Our 'Ten Minutes On' podcast series delves into key topics surrounding simplifying sustainability in the built environment - in a short and snappy way.

In the third episode, the topic of discussion is 'Stranded Assets'. Current and future sustainability requirements from the Government could cause some commercial buildings to become legally 'unlettable'. We'll explore what these requirements are and what action building owners need to take to avoid having a 'stranded asset' on their hands.

This episode features our deputy MD (Midlands), Nick Gibb, and Robert van Zyl, partner at Cundall.

The Building Safety Act and its implications are changing the landscape for the construction industry and its customers.  At Willmott Dixon, we’re certainly receiving more and more queries from customers and partners about the Act and how it will affect projects moving forward and retrospectively.

This podcast on the Building Safety Act was recorded as part of our Wales and West Spotlight Event in Bristol in July.

We hosted this event for our customers, partners, and colleagues as an opportunity to discuss the implications of the Building Safety Act and offer the opportunity to answer questions.

You will hear a panel of experts from very different sectors discussing a variety of issues and questions around the Building Safety Act, from Professional Indemnity to procurement to liability.

This is the second episode in our podcast series 'Ten Minutes On', which delves into key topics surrounding simplifying sustainability in the built environment - in a short and snappy way.

During this episode we'll talk about two-stage procurement and how it will help unlock sustainable schemes and bring them forward. We'll also share some learnings from recent projects and common barriers and opportunities.

Today's episode features our regional framework manager, Jerry Major, and Chris Clarke, Scape's director of performance and improvement. 

This is the first episode in our podcast series 'Ten Minutes On', which delves into key topics surrounding simplifying sustainability in the built environment - in a short and snappy way.

Our first podcast in this series is on Whole Life Carbon, and features our sustainability manager, Francesca Wilkinson, and Nathan Adams, senior sustainability consultant, from Focus.

During this episode we will explore what whole life carbon is, why it’s so important, how to measure it and ultimately how to reduce it. We’ll also speak about how modern methods of construction and the circular economy will play a major part in achieving net zero.

You’ll hear about some learnings from recent projects and the common barriers and opportunities. 

Francesca Wilkinson, our sustainability and environmental manager spoke with Conor Nolan at Building Brum to discuss how the fuel crisis is impacting the net-zero carbon agenda and what customers can do to ensure their buildings are fit for the future. She also shares her experience in net-zero technology and how the private sector is approaching net-zero and net-zero ready buildings.

Podcast courtesy of Building Brum.

We hosted a debate in partnership with Building Brum which saw industry leaders gather to discuss how the sector can achieve its net zero carbon ambitions

A panel shared their insights into achieving carbon net zero in construction as well as discussing the outcomes of COP26 and how the industry should respond, including Julia Barrett (Willmott Dixon) Deborah Cadman (Birmingham City Council) Belinda Morgan (Cundall) Tim Carey (Collida) Chris Clarke (Scape) & James Douglas (Lendlease)

Considered to be the most important climate summit in history, during the first two weeks of November, more than 20,000 delegates from nearly 200 countries descended upon Glasgow for COP26.  With an overarching goal of keeping global temperature rises to less than 1.5oC by 2050, sustainable development campaigner and Willmott Dixon non-executive director Jonathon Porritt shares his thoughts on whether COP26 achieved its goals.