Residential

Clarion Housing Association

Multiple Sites

Client

Clarion Housing Association

Sector

Residential

Services

CDM, Cost Consultancy, Project Management & Employer's Agent, Quality Control Inspector & Clerk of Works, Sustainability

Key Partners

Clarion, CTP Consulting Engineers
Baily Garner were appointed to assess 5,500 non-traditional homes and propose a strategic asset management strategy for phased decarbonisation.

Clarion Housing Association appointed Baily Garner to assess 5,500 non-traditional homes and develop a strategic asset management strategy to support the phased decarbonisation of their housing stock. The homes—constructed from materials such as concrete, timber, and steel frames—posed significant challenges in terms of energy performance and long-term investment planning.

Clarion’s non-traditional homes presented several complex and overlapping challenges. These properties, built using a wide range of unconventional construction methods, typically offer poor thermal performance, leading to high energy costs and resident discomfort. Furthermore, the existing data on these homes was inconsistent, making it difficult to plan remedial works or forecast investment needs. Many properties had also been previously included in government remediation schemes, adding further complications regarding their structural integrity and retrofit potential. Clarion needed clear, actionable insights to meet ambitious targets: achieving EPC ‘C’ by 2030, reducing space heat demand to 70 kWh/m²/year by 2040, and full decarbonisation by 2050.

Baily Garner delivered a holistic and phased approach to asset review and strategic planning. We began by conducting a comprehensive desktop review of Clarion’s existing property data to understand the scope and condition of the stock. This was followed by targeted structural surveys across key archetypes to identify recurring issues. Using this data, we developed cost models to estimate investment requirements across the short, medium, and long term. Our team identified and prioritised energy efficiency measures—including insulation upgrades, ventilation improvements, and external wall insulation—while also accounting for hidden logistical costs like limited site access or specialist scaffolding. In parallel, we reviewed homes that had undergone Housing Act remediation works, assessing both structural soundness and decarbonisation potential. The result was a fully costed, sequenced, and optimised strategic plan tailored to Clarion’s decarbonisation goals.

Through our structured and detailed approach, Clarion now has a comprehensive understanding of the condition and investment needs of its 5,500 non-traditional homes. Our work delivered a granular, archetype-specific roadmap for phased retrofit, repair, and decarbonisation, helping Clarion identify which estates and housing types to target first for maximum impact. The strategy balances cost, feasibility, and performance outcomes—enabling confident, data-driven investment decisions. In addition, the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) session we delivered on common defects in non-traditional housing has empowered Clarion’s teams with the knowledge needed to manage these properties more effectively. Clarion is now equipped with the tools and insights to meet its environmental targets while improving the long-term sustainability of its housing portfolio.

Project lead

Ben Nixon

Specialist Consultant

Contact

To find out more about our work on the Clarion Housing Association project, contact our Project Lead, Ben Nixon.

Take a look at similar projects

See all projects

Be part of the journey

We believe the best outcomes are built on partnerships rooted in purpose, driven by insight, and fuelled by ambition. Whether you’re shaping places, transforming communities or redefining what’s possible, we’re here to help you make it happen.

Bring your next project to life

We believe the best outcomes are built on partnerships rooted in purpose, driven by insight, and fuelled by ambition. Whether you're shaping places, transforming communities or redefining what’s possible, we’re here to help you make it happen.

Contact us

Join the team and do something amazing

Our multidisciplinary teams work with clarity and purpose to turn your vision into value. By combining insight, innovation, and technical excellence, we shape places that make a real difference.

Find out more
Safety hat

Sign up to
our newsletter

Sign up to
our newsletter

Get the latest insights

Enter your email address to join our newsletter.