RPP ROUND UP: Spring 2025

It’s time for our quarterly Round Up of news, views and activity from across the RPP Group. 

In this edition:

• We look at The Building Safety Act and the further anticipated changes throughout 2025 and beyond.
• You’ll find updates on some of our latest projects including Travis Perkins, Dakota Hotels and Evans Property Group’s, Fradley Park Industrial scheme.
• We provide the latest news from the across the Group including our recent awards, updates on our colleagues and how we’ve been giving back to our communities.

We hope you enjoy the read…

BUILDING SAFETY ACT: WHAT’S ON THE HORIZON

The introduction of the Building Safety Act 2022 (BSA) and The Building Regulations etc. Amendment England Regulations 2023 (BRAE) has led to some of the biggest changes in the built environment in recent years.

Following publication of The Phase 2 Grenfell Report in September 2024, the Government are now reviewing its recommendations with a view to enacting further legislation across 2025 and beyond.

Here we look at the anticipated changes and the further impact to both Clients and Duty Holders.

Read more

Recent Projects

As part of our on-going programme with the UK’s largest builders merchants, Travis Perkins, to increase trade counter stores throughout the UK, we’re pleased to have completed our 6^th depot.

Located in Watford, the development comprised the demolition of an existing timber yard and the construction of two new TP warehouses, including a new Benchmarx kitchen showroom, totalling 26,300sf ft. The new depots include solar panels and EV Charging as well as four eHGV charging bays.

(Thank you to Travis Perkins for the great drone footage!)

Services: Cost Consultant and Employer’s Agent 

It was a privilege to see our latest development for Dakota Hotels open its doors in Newcastle.

Built as an office in the 1990’s the building underwent a complete refurbishment, as well as ground floor extension to create this luxury 118-bedroom boutique hotel, with two separate bar areas and a 100-cover restaurant.

With sustainability at the heart of the design, the roof was fitted with photovoltaic panels to provide solar power and air-source heat pumps further add to the sustainable running of the building.

Services: Cost Consultant CDM Principal Designer 

The Fradley Park Industrial scheme for Evans Property Group reached practical completion earlier this month.

The development in Lichfield included the construction of two speculative industrial units: Unit 1 totaling 204,500 sq ft and Unit 2 – 78,500 sq ft and included service yards and an access road as well as EV charging facilities, solar panel-ready roofing, siphonic drainage, pumping stations and electric substations.

Services: Building Regulations Principal Designer and CDM 2015 Principal Designer

Last month saw the completion of the £800K renovation to Trafford Centre’s Peel Avenue toilets.

The transformation included a full strip out and the installation of new M&E, ceilings, sanitary wear, reconditioned doors, bespoke Corian worksurfaces and hand drawn murals by a local artist. It also incorporated energy-saving measures including replacement air-handling unit, heating, lighting and water usage to make the space more sustainable for the long term.

Services: Project and Cost Consultancy and CDM Principal Designer

Latest news

awards success

With awards season in full swing, we’re thrilled to share news of our recent successes:

Senior PM, Charlotte King, was part of the Norton Folgate Delivery Team which won ‘Team of the Year’ at the CIOB 2025 awards. Norton Folgate is British Land’s ambitious and challenging mixed-use development, in the heart of Spitalfields, London.

We’re also extremely proud to have been shortlisted for ‘Consultancy of the Year’ at The Commercials, Yorkshire Real Estate Awards. This recognition reflects the commitment, expertise, and impact of our projects across the Yorkshire region.

Our industrial scheme with Caddick Developments and Schneider Electric also won ‘Best Shed Deal’ at the same awards.

People Updates

April saw the retirement of two of our esteemed colleagues, Gerry McGeough and Michael Dunn.

Gerry retired after an incredible 43-year career in the construction industry, including 30 years with the business.

Having been a director of Rex Procter and Partners in Marlow since 2000 and following the successful merger with RPP in Leeds in 2013, Gerry became a member of the Executive Board for the Group, helping to drive the company in to the successful business it is today.

Michael, a well-respected RIBA Specialist Practice Consultant spent over 20 years at RPP, becoming a trusted advisor to many clients, contractors and consultants, with his invaluable in-house expertise on contracts and appointments.

Their dedication, wisdom, and friendship left a lasting mark and we wish them both long, happy and fulfilling retirements.

We’re pleased to announce Joseph Cross has been promoted to Associate Director within our Building Surveying Team.

Joe’s progression is a testament to his hard work and dedication. He has made a significant impact across the team, and his projects, and we’re proud to see him take this well-deserved next step.

Finally, we’re delighted to welcome Michael Gboyega, Assistant Quantity Surveyor to the team. Michael will be working across our London and Marlow offices, providing support across a range of projects.

Supporting our Communities

It’s been a busy time for our social value team, which saw them coordinate an easter egg collection across the offices, donating a cracking 285 Easter Eggs to two schools; Little London Academy in Leeds and Westfield SEND School near Marlow, as part of the Yorkshire Children’s Charity Easter Egg Appeal.

The team then moved on to wrapping over 100 boxes of Duplo train sets which we donated as the table centre piece at The Commercials, Yorkshire Real Estate Awards before they were donated to schools and children’s centres across the region.

As part of our commitment to supporting young people, we welcomed our latest work experience student. Whilst studying for his A-levels, Sam Kidd gained his first insights into construction consultancy while spending a week in our Leeds office, where he attended site visits to PBSA development James St. in York and mixed use scheme at Staveley Town Basin, along with reviewing tender documentation and attending a training session on construction procurement and tendering.

Well done to Sam on a great attitude and work ethic!

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