IM Properties has been selected to take part in the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard (UK NZCBS) Pilot Test Programme – placing the developer at the forefront of shaping national sustainability benchmarks for industrial space.
Hinckley 340, a 340,853 sq ft unit at IM Properties’ Hinckley Park scheme, is one of only 22 buildings selected to represent the storage and distribution sector in the pilot.
The initiative forms part of a collaboration of experts from across the built environment to develop a measurable, science-aligned definition of what it genuinely means for a building, from homes to the industrial sector, to be net zero carbon.
Simon Seaton Smith, sustainability director at IM Properties, described the selection as both “a real honour and a real responsibility” and said it marked a critical moment for the industry to align ahead of inevitable regulatory change.
“This is about doing the hard work now and making sure we’re properly prepared for where the industry is going,” said Seaton Smith.
“We’ve been working for a long time to make sure we’re not only aware of the expectations around net zero but actively responding and often going beyond to deliver best practice as part of our Sustainable Futures framework focusing on People, Place and Planet. To be selected for the pilot test shows that our commitment is being recognised.”
A full member of CIBSE, one of the founding partners behind the new Standard, Seaton Smith has led IM Properties’ efforts to align with sustainability standards and plan for the future.
For the pilot testing phase, IM Properties are working with Birmingham-based advisors, Turley, and their sustainability and ESG team, to help interpret and apply the new Standard.
Snigdha Jain, head of ESG at Turley, said: “Having contributed to the development of the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard as part of the task force, it’s exciting to now apply this industry-leading methodology to a live logistics project.
“The insights gained through this real-world application will inform the final version of the standard due to be released at the end of the year. It’s incredibly inspiring to work alongside IM Properties and collaborate with industry peers on a performance-based standard that will set an unambiguous definition of Net Zero for decades to come.”
The selected project, Hinckley 340 is built to an industry leading specification, adhering to the UK Green Building Council (UKBC)’s standards which laid the foundations for UK NZCBS’s pilot. It has achieved EPC A and BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and the unit has also been delivered as Net Zero in Construction and is designed to be Net Zero Ready.
Seaton Smith said the real value of the pilot would be in creating a level playing field for all: “No one benefits from green washing and this new Standard can provide more clarity and transparency about who is really delivering best practice and who isn’t.
“The level of understanding and technical detail and knowledge required should not be underestimated and waiting for regulation before doing the right thing is a risky strategy,” he said.
The pilot study covers the full life cycle and performance of the building from embodied carbon and operational energy to water use and refrigerants.
“Investors are already looking at future resilience and net zero readiness, and if assets can’t meet the new Standard, they’ll likely struggle to retain their value,” Seaton Smith added.
“I look forward to sharing what we learn from this process — transparently and constructively. Because as professional in this field, this is about more than carbon calculations. It’s about leading with purpose, doing the hard work now, and making sure that we — and our industry — are part of the solution and we all work fairly to deliver this as a sector.”
