Do you find that utility companies are difficult to deal with and a burden on your resources? We can eliminate this for you from the outset.

DBK provides a broad range of services encompassing the entire utilities connections process, from feasibility, procurement to site completion.  Our team of specialists will evaluate, design, procure, implement utility strategies and manage into one coherent infrastructure plan to meet your specific needs.

We are completely independent of all utility companies, energy suppliers and DNO’s so we can deliver bespoke solutions to fit your exact needs – saving you valuable time, resource and money by Introducing ‘Competitions in Connections’.

With our extensive knowledge of the utility industry, their methods of working and our excellent network of contacts at all levels, we can help you develop projects from inception through to completion.

Whether you are developing small residential sites, large mixed use developments or commercial properties, DBK can support you.

Take advantage of our proven and cost effective services to overcome the challenges associated with utilities.

Our service includes: Utility Searches and pre-land purchase Budget Reports Management of service disconnections, diversionary works and meter removals Design and procurement of new utility infrastructure and temporary builders’ supplies. Recommendation and support for the appointment of utility service provider/s Coordination of on-site & off‐site works, reinforcement, asset adoption and acceptance. Touch line support for site managers from commencement of onsite activities to final handover. Facilitation of the installation of new metering and supply contracts Preparation of CAD drawings for existing and new services.		We have specialist experience and knowledge of: All utility sectors Statutory legislation and Acts Competition in Connections working with approved ICP’s, IGT’s and UIP’s. Dispute resolution Wayleaves/Easements and Connection Agreements Liaising with regulatory bodies OFGEM, OFWAT and OFTEL Our service ensures: The optimum design solutions are Identified and implemented. A programme is presented to meet the objectives of the project and delivery of the services.

Take advantage of our services, your one stop solution from inception to completion. Speak to Scott Goodwin who heads up our Utilities for further information:-

Scott Goodwin – Associate Partner – DBK Partners LLP
DDI – 0207 166 6048 - Mobile – 07907 569 101 – 23 Austin Friars, London, EC2N 2QP

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The two companies bought 20 Cannon Street – a dated 1960s block – from property company Kenedix after law firm Herbert Smith moved out in 2007. Now on site, the extensive refurbishment will see around 4

0,000 sq ft of prime space brought back to the market in Spring 2012.

Managing Partner Steven Kelly announced that DBK, based at Austin Friars, Bank, in London, is undertaking cost management and CDM co-ordination services in respect of the refurbishment works. The existing concrete structural frame, lift and stair cores, and part of the existing black granite façade along Bread Street will be retained.

The main change will come from the complete replacement of the existing cladding that dates from an earlier refurbishment in the 1980s which consisted of a series of gantries and metal balustrades. A new panelized and fully glazed curtain wall will also include a copper mesh solar screen on the south façade, said Steve.

DBK - 20 Cannon Street Exterior

In order to improve the street presence and identity of the building, the north-west corner – which is closest to St Paul’s Cathedral – will be cut away at ground level to create a new external covered entrance. The basement level will be converted for use as a restaurant with a separate entrance off Friday Street.

Mr Kelly said: “Allied London is considered to be one of the most highly regarded developers in the UK and we are delighted to be working with the company on the refurbishment of these City of London offices.

“This appointment is further evidence of our ongoing success in 2011 in what remains a tough economic claimte. We have secured a series of commissions to provide our range of cost and project management services for high profile London residential, office and mixed-use developments. We have recently completed major schemes in London with companies including St Modwen, European Land and Barratt Developments and we are determined to continue to increase our business activity throughout the capital with a commercial developer focus.”

For more information please visit www.dbkllp.com.

Kevin McCloud

Property consultants DBK has played a key role in a unique and new high quality sustainable housing development led by Grand Designs presenter Kevin McCloud.

The Triangle, a 42-home scheme in Swindon, is the presenter’s first development and will be featured in two one-hour shows – called Kevin’s Grand Design – on Channel Four next month.

The pioneering, low energy project commissioned by Hab Oakus – a joint venture and partnership between McCloud’s Hab development company and housing group GreenSquare – has been created to promote a sustainable lifestyle and sense of community.

It is a contemporary interpretation of the Wiltshire town’s mid-Victorian railway cottages, using sustainable materials and set in an attractive landscape.

Andrew Kennedy, senior partner in Birmingham-based DBK’s Bournemouth office, welcomed the recent completion of the ambitious project. It is part of a wider strategy to introduce One Planet Living principles to Swindon.

Mr Kennedy said: “It has been a great pleasure to work alongside Kevin and the Hab Oakus team for the past four years. During that time we have seen the seed of an idea of a unique eco-friendly housing scheme grow into what is an exciting community of sustainable, low energy, affordable homes for local families.

“In the early months we spent a great deal of time considering various schemes and their context to see which were suitable.  From the outset, Kevin and his partners wanted to build something that was as environmentally friendly as possible.

“We joined the team as quantity surveyors, employers’ agent and CDM co-ordinators, and initially part of our role was to make sure that a lot of the alternative ideas that they were looking at using were viable. It is wonderful to see many of these ideas come to fruition, with The Triangle now completed and residents have moved into their new homes.”

The Triangle is located off Northern Road in Swindon and comprises 16 two-bed houses, 13 three-bed houses, 7 four-bed houses, 4 one-bed apartments, and 2 two-bed apartments. There are homes for Intermediate Rent and Rent To Homebuy – and homes for affordable rent to local people registered with Swindon Borough Council.

The award-winning design is informed by Hab Oakus’ fundamental principles – a strong sense of community, a belief in the importance of public space, respect for cyclists and pedestrians, and a commitment to sustainable lifestyles and outstanding contextual design.

Hab Oakus is working with Swindon Borough Council and local people to ensure that The Triangle project serves as a springboard to introduce initiatives such as car clubs and local food networks which will benefit the wider community and Swindon as a whole.

Steve Didcott has joined property consultants DBK as a senior partner, leading its London operations.

Property consultants DBK has appointed Steve Didcott to lead the company’s London operations as it continues to expand its business across the capital, it has been announced.

Steve, a former managing director at Arcadis, has more than 35 years’ experience within the construction market. He has worked for both developers and occupiers and has been responsible for over six million sq ft of HQ office, mixed use, data centre and residential space.

He said: “We are going through a time of massive change in the service sector to the construction industry and I see a very bright future for DBK as a respected owner-managed business. We have a strong portfolio of clients and experience, national presence and great people.

“We are planning steady growth and a broadening of the London business at the same time as keeping it personal – an attractive proposition to ambitious professionals and our clients alike.”

Welcoming him to DBK as a senior partner, managing partner Steve Kelly said: “I am very pleased that Steve has joined our team in London and will lead our drive to secure a greater share of business in the south east. He is a proven leader with international experience and a reputation for innovative solutions. I know he will prove to be an extremely valuable asset in delivering our growth strategy.

“We are currently working on a series of high profile London residential, office and mixed-use developments, providing our range of cost and project management services. We have recently completed some major schemes in London with companies including St Modwen, Redrow and European Land and we are determined to continue to increase our business activity throughout the capital with a commercial focus.”

Notable clients Steve has worked with include Legal and General, HBOS, Cisco, American Express, Quintain, Nortel Networks, Carnival, Norwich Union and Computer Associates.  Most recently he acted as development manager for an industrial bio-jet fuel facility to manufacture ‘green’ aviation fuel for British Airways sufficient to service all requirements at London City airport.

Before joining Birmingham-based DBK Steve, from Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire, was managing director of the buildings division of international property, environmental and infrastructure consultants Arcadis UK. He joined AYH in 1988, and was part of the team that acquired the business in the late 90s and was a director at the time of the merger with Arcadis in 2005. He is married with three daughters and enjoys cycling, sailing, motorsport and playing the guitar.

DBK is providing employers agent, cost management and CDM co-ordination services for the £3 million Fermoy Road scheme which is being delivered by Pocket in partnership with industry giant Land Securities. DBK also acted on behalf of Pocket to procure the party wall awards.

Pocket aims to fill the divide between social and private housing. It provides intermediate housing for those who earn too much to qualify for social housing, but not enough to buy. Pocket builds an innovative form of intermediate affordable housing that requires no grant or public subsidy.
As Pocket’s homes are delivered without grant the company is able to make its housing available to a wide target group irrespective of whether they are public or private sector employees.  The homes developed by Pocket are secured as affordable in perpetuity through section 106 agreements and sold outright on an income targeted basis.
Pocket’s properties are sold at a minimum of 20% less than the market rate.

Fermoy Road is highly sustainable project which comprises a four-storey and part five storey new build residential project of 32 units for sale to the intermediate housing market. With a saleable area of approximately 14,000 sq ft, the project is designed to achieve Code for Sustainable Homes level 4 by incorporating ground source heat pumps and photovoltaic panels on the roof.

The contemporary brick-faced building features a welcoming entrance lobby and all flats have access to a communal roof terrace and sun lounge.  Ground floor flats all have private patios and the upper floor flats each enjoy a large balcony. These provide residents with high quality outdoor space in which to relax and unwind. All the apartments are equipped with built-in wardrobes, cycle parking and under floor heating

DBK managing partner Steven Kelly confirmed that the company, based at Austin Friars, Bank, in London, had been appointed by Pocket.

He said: “We are very pleased to announce that we are providing a range of our core services for Pocket on their latest development at Fermoy Road, Westminster. We have now been commissioned by the company on three developments in the borough which clearly demonstrates that we are building a successful working relationship with Pocket as it expands its operations across the capital.”

He added: “This is further evidence of our ongoing success in 2011 in what remains a tough economic climate and is the latest in a series of high profile London residential, office and mixed-use developments that we are working on, providing our range of cost and project management services. In recent months we have recently completed some major schemes in London with companies including St Modwen, Redrow and European Land and we are determined to continue to increase our business activity throughout the capital with a commercial developer focus.”

Pieter Zitman, of Pocket, said: “Fermoy Road is an important development for Pocket as it allows us to deliver much needed intermediate housing in Westminster and establish the principle of tradable offsets for Land Securities. Understanding our housing type and the standards Pocket expects is crucial to delivering a successful project. This is why Pocket works closely with all members of its regular consultant team and DBK have proven to be an important member of that team.”

Pocket’s aim is to make it possible for first-time buyers to fully own a home by building stylish homes that are sold at 20% less than the market rate. It is not a charity or a housing association but a private company working closely with local councils and public and private sector joint venture partners to develop urban sites.

Characteristics of a Pocket scheme are:

•       under floor heating

•       floor-to-ceiling windows

•       low ratio of circulation to living space

•       above standard sound proofing

•       thoughtfully designed lighting

•       ample built-in storage

•       communal spaces

•       reduced lifecycle costs and low long-term service charges

DBK are overseeing the new Marco Pierre White restaurant located on the 25^th Floor.  The Steakhouse Bar and Grill – a 14,200 sq ft project – includes a separate experience bar, open air rooftop terrace, all with 360 degree views across the City and a glass fronted alfresco balcony.

DBK are also acting on behalf of the Fund in respect of the fit out of the new four star Hotel Indigo – a 52 bedroom boutique hotel on the 23^rd and 24^th floors, due to open in December this year.  Also due to open in December this year is the 3^rd fit out project DBK is overseeing – the 15,000 sq ft Club and Luxury Health Spa featuring a wet area comprising a hydrotherapy pool, state of the art gymnasium, thermal treatment rooms and luxury spa.

Kevin Theobold, Senior Partner at DBK said “We continue to assist our Client to expand their portfolio in the UK following completion of the Hotel Indigo in Liverpool and our appointment on Hotel Indigo in Newcastle. We are delighted to be involved in such a high profile flagship project in Birmingham which, when completed, will boost Birmingham’s tourist offer”.

With offices in Birmingham, London, Manchester and Bournemouth, DBK has awarded construction contracts with a total value in excess of £300 million in the past 12 months.

The ‘mega shed’ – which has been designed to Amazon’s specification and which is being constructed to meet BREEAM ‘Very Good’ standards has a tight build programme, with work needing to be completed by the last quarter of this year, in order to meet Amazon’s busy pre-Christmas sales period. DBK are providing cost management, employers agent and CDM Coordination services to client Graftongate.

Bradford Street based DBK have been appointed by Birmingham Properties Group Ltd to manage their flagship Harborne Central scheme of 16 designer townhouses and 64 apartments and penthouses in the heart of the much sought after village.

DBK was first appointed to maintain the exclusive development in July 2009 and is now in its 18^th month of providing a comprehensive management service.

A key element of the appointment was a high level of personal service.

David Payne of Birmingham Properties Group who was Project Manager for Harborne Central said “We are delighted to continue our association with DBK.  They have successfully demonstrated their ability to provide the highest levels of service with a hands-on approach that is welcomed by all residents.”

Israr Iqbal, DBK’s Management Surveyor for the scheme said: “We have enjoyed very positive feedback and look forward to working with BPG on their future projects.”

Construction & Property Consultant DBK has become a limited liability partnership (LLP) as of 4^th February 2011. This is consistent with several leading professional services consultants in the industry.

Tim Downing Managing Partner explained “We see the LLP business as a modern structure to drive our business forward. It will unite all our existing companies under one LLP – therefore enhancing the brand and reinforcing the strong DBK team spirit”.

DBK have commenced the year with a strong start, working on high profile projects for the likes of University Partnerships Programme, St Modwen, Amazon, Stoford & various Universities to name a few. The robust order book is allowing the business to invest in the existing staff and offices are currently recruiting to strengthen the resource. The London office has just relocated to the City.

Mr Downing commented “along with this change we have also secured investment from the RCapital Growth Fund, this investment will enable us to make the most of the opportunities that will undoubtly present themselves as we move out of the recession and to serve our superb and diverse client base going forward.”

DBK are Cost & Project Management Consultants with offices in Birmingham, London, Manchester & Bournemouth.