Re:Generation Edition 03
Navigating
sustainable practice
As the year progresses, one thing has become clear: there is a preference from the sector to build and indeed rebuild with the environment in mind.
Contents Navigating sustainable practice Foreword by George Stainton 03
The factor? Sustainability.
New more environmentally stringent Building Regulations, a noticeable hesitancy by urban planning authorities to sanction full demolitions, and a trend towards upgrading commercial property to Grade A energy efficiency are but three chapters of the industry’s new and formidable green story. As you can read in this issue, a recent survey by consultancy Gleeds on the UK’s commercial property market confirms this new preference for renovation/upgrade over demolition/ new build. The circular economy, waste reduction, energy efficiency and lowering the industry’s annual carbon footprint are now increasingly influencing investment and operational decisions. You’d have thought that providing demolition services in a country with a sudden aversion to knocking things down could pose a problem in our sector. But not for General Demolition, where the proportion of strip-out work we do continue to expand. In fact, we have won some landmark strip out contracts in recent months, not least the technically challenging Black Swan in Northampton.
Minimum EPC Rating
Full enforcement of the minimum EPC rating of “E” was activated in October 2024, but is the industry prepared? A Carter Jonas report finds 23% of UK office buildings have an EPC rating below “E”, meaning there are more than just one or two renovations needed. With 55% of the UK’s office stock being over 30 years old, it’s likely that renovation rather than demolition might just be the answer to energy-efficient upgrades. To put it simply: huge changes are needed in the world of construction in order to meet Net Zero commitments in time for the fast-approaching 2030. Now is the time to adopt solutions and innovations that enable the necessary reduction of embodied carbon in densely developed megacities, laying sustainable foundations that will last for years to come. As a business we actively embrace this new greener trend and want to be at the forefront of it.
Black Swan Setting the standard with Zero waste Shaping the commercial property market in 2025
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Quite the case on Chancery Lane
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Tom Ogden Precision in Demolition Demolition throwback: Crystal Palace
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At General Demolition our readiness to adapt and innovate will define our success in this new greener era.
Demolition Just cut the carbon
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Safety: Two heads are better than one
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Circular economy in action, as seen at Footprint+ 2025 A Discussion with Nick Grigoras
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GD’s partnership with Saint Gobain
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5 Reasons Why construction should switch to electric
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Charlotte Naish Pivotal role in GD growth
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Demolition throwback: Midland Bank / Bank vault at the Ned
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George Stainton Managing Director
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www.General-Demoliton.co.uk
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