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SPF sets Scotland’s green property agenda

Following Scottish government proposals for a 50% improvement in new building energy standards by as early as 2010, the Scottish Property Federation (SPF) will bring the industry together to examine the implications and develop a way forward.

Download some of the presentations below.

With a 75% improvement by 2013 also mooted, representatives of Scotland’s commercial property industry, worth in excess of £50 billion, will gather at the “Selling Sustainability” conference, hosted by Kilmartin and the Scottish Property Federation (SPF), in Edinburgh on Tuesday 13 May 2008. Industry experts will look closely at the Low Carbon Building Standards Strategy and both the feasibility and impact of adopting ‘zero carbon’ practises.

Recent research by Jones Lang LaSalle indicates that 85% of the market expects sustainability to become a ‘critical business issue’ within the next two years, yet that the industry has as yet been slow to respond. A survey of over 400 global occupiers, in conjunction with CoreNet Global, identified that there is clear demand for sustainable real estate solutions and that occupiers are willing to pay a premium to secure such properties. In the occupiers opinion, however, developers have as yet done very little to provide sustainable solutions and any initiatives have been sporadic, few and far between.

Ranald Boydell, sustainable development director of Kilmartin, comments:

“We hope to inspire those who attend to try and achieve real and substantial gains in the industry, challenge those sectors involved in the acquisition process to start putting a value on sustainability, the merits of which can be passed on to the developer and construction industry, and provide a significant platform for debate on sustainable development in Scotland.”

David Melhuish, director of the Scottish Property Federation, adds:

“The Scottish government’s policies are undoubtedly more challenging than those pursued elsewhere in the world. However, if we are now to meet these ambitious climate change targets, industry and the government need to work together in identifying the opportunities to upgrade the existing building stock, as well as encouraging innovation in new developments.”
The conference is held on Tuesday 13 May 2008, at The Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh. Speakers at the summit include Patrick Harvie MSP from the Scottish Green Party; Lynne Sullivan, author of the Scottish Government’s Low Carbon Building Standards Strategy; Mark Hancock and Ranald Boydell of Kilmartin; Chris Hiatt, Jones Land la Salle; Frank Sangster of KPMG and Linda Sheridan from the Scottish Government Scottish Building Standards Agency.

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For more information in advance or on the day, contact Andrew Teacher on 07968 124545 or ateacher@bpf.org.uk


For further information please contact:

Kilmartin Property Group
Ranald Boydell, Sustainable Development Director
Mark Hancock, Chief Executive
Tel: +44 (0)131 225 5225 / +44 (0)1756 692 914
Financial Dynamics
Jamie Robertson
Olivia Goodall Tel: +44 (0)20 7831 3113
Scottish Property Federation
Gail Hume



Notes to Editors:

Kilmartin Property Group was founded in 1996 and is focussed on commercial property development and investment, and regeneration schemes, across the UK.

Since its foundation, the Company has grown its development portfolio to encompass more than £1 billion of projects, managed from its headquarters in Edinburgh and regional offices in London, Skipton, Sheffield, Surrey and Inverness.

The Company is active in the development of property-related infrastructure, regeneration schemes and eco-towns, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Kilbride Group, and in property partnerships and asset enhancement programmes through Kilmartin Bloc.

Bank of Scotland acquired 50% of Kilmartin in May 2007 and has added significant financial strength to the Company’s operations.

Following its acquisition of the Amerdale Group in September 2007, Kilmartin now employs more than 50 people and has developed strong strategic local partnerships across its core regions of Scotland, London and the south east and Yorkshire and Humber.