NEWS | DIGEST Dame Judith Hackitt and Dr Hywel Davies awarded CIBSEs highest honour Ideal Heating launches its first UK heat pump production line A new heat pump production line forms part of a 60m investment programme by Ideal Heating at its headquarters in Hull. The programme also includes an expanded distribution hub and a research and development centre to pioneer future heating technologies. Ideal has already invested more than 2m in its flagship training centre, where up to 5,000 installers can gain skills installing and servicing heat pumps every year. And it has now been granted full planning permission for the new 12.5m research and development facility at the site. Construction of the UK Technology Centre is due to be completed in late 2024 and operating by early 2025. Michael Gove blocks demolition of M&S Dame Judith Hackitt Michael Gove has refused controversial plans by Marks & Spencer to redevelop its flagship store in Oxford Street, London. The Secretary of State for Levelling Up overturned his planning inspectors recommendation to approve the retailers application to replace its existing store with a 10-storey retail and office block. In his decision letter, Gove said he was not convinced that M&S and its architects had thoroughly explored the alternatives to demolition of the existing building, and that he refused permission partly on the grounds that the scheme would not encourage the reuse of existing resources, including conversion of buildings. CIBSEs Dr Hywel Davies CIBSE President Adrian Catchpole presents CIBSEs highest accolade Two of the key architects of the governments new building safety regime have been awarded CIBSE Honorary Fellowships. The recipients are Dame Judith Hackitt, who chaired the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety, and Dr Hywel Davies, CIBSEs long-standing chief technical officer. Honorary Fellowships are the highest accolades that can be presented by the institute to non-CIBSE members, to recognise their lifetime contributions to the construction and building industries. The fellowships were awarded to both recipients by CIBSE President Adrian Catchpole at an event attended by CIBSE members and patrons in London on 27 July. Dame Judiths 2018 report, Building a Safer Future, formed the basis for the fundamental and systemic reform of building safety legislation introduced through the 2021 Fire Safety Act 2021 and Building Safety Act 2022. It also paved the way for the establishment of a building safety regulator for England. It was an honour to receive the award, Dame Judith said in her acceptance speech. Ive been particularly grateful to CIBSE over the past five years for the support theyve given to my recommendations. Prior to taking on the building safety review, Dame Judith had chaired the UK Health and Safety Executive. She is also the chair of the manufacturing trade body Make UK, formerly the Engineering Employers Federation. The fellowship for Dr Davies is the first awarded to a serving member of CIBSE staff. He became technical director of CIBSE in 2007, following more than a decade working for the Building Research Establishment and a further 10 years as an independent consultant. Davies also headed the expert group responsible for reviewing the use and structure of the Approved Documents following the Grenfell tragedy. He advised on the Covid-19 pandemic response and coordinated advice and guidance notes on emerging from lockdown, which have been downloaded more than 60,000 times and are recognised across the world. Read Hywel Davies column on page 16 and an interview with Dame Judith on page 18. Making Heat Networks an Investable Asset Performance Monitoring www.sav-systems.com 10 September 2023 www.cibsejournal.com Equitable Billing Energy Metering