黑洞社区

Regeneration specialist developer Urban Splash has decided to rein in development amid fears over 鈥渓asting economic downturn鈥�, despite seeing its pre-tax profit more than triple in its latest results.

Urban Splash Group Holdings Ltd reported turnover of 拢66.5m in the year to September 30 2021, up 68% on the previous year, producing a pre-tax profit of 拢6m, up from 拢1.66m in 2020.

The publication of the results comes after the Manchester-based business also secured a 拢43.5m refinancing deal with Aviva investors, replacing a number of separate loans which had been due to expire this autumn.

However, despite recording this progress, Urban Splash鈥檚 chief financial office Julian Curnuck said in a statement within the accounts that there was a 鈥渃limate of uncertainty鈥� in the industry due to 鈥渢he lasting effects of covid-19, the war in Ukraine and the UK cost of living crisis鈥�.

He said that 鈥渃onsequently鈥� the business was adopting a 鈥渞educed risk appetite [鈥�] given these unprecedented levels of uncertainty and the prospect of a lasting economic downturn鈥�. He added the group was therefore 鈥渓imiting its exposure to onsite construction activity taking a cautious approach to new development activity鈥�.

The statement comes after the firm, which is behind lauded regeneration schemes such as the refurbishment of Park Hill in Sheffield and New Islington in Manchester, saw its 鈥渄emerged鈥� modular housebuilding joint venture, House by Urban Splash, go into administration earlier this year.

In notes to the accounts, it said that at the time of Urban Splash House going into administration, the Urban Splash Group was providing it with construction services which were terminated, and was owed money. As a result, it said, group staff had to be made redundant, but the statement did not say how many staff were laid off as a result of the collapse, or how much it was owed. It said 鈥渢he ultimate recovery will depend on the outcome of the administration process鈥�.

The firm progressed construction works at its Meville project in Plymouth and Park Hill scheme in Sheffield during the year. But the accounts also state that the year saw covid delays cause 鈥渂uilding delays, supply shortages and consequently an extension to the forecast project end date and increase to the total forecast project costs鈥�.

In a statement release last week ahead of the publication of the accounts, the firm described the business鈥檚 results as a 鈥溾�渟olid performance in a difficult year鈥�. The group, which also has a portfolio of commercial properties, said it had an active development pipeline with sites in Plymouth, Milton Keynes, Swansea, Birmingham, Windermere, Sheffield and Manchester.

Urban Splash has been contacted to comment further on the extent of its planned development slowdown.