Heritage-Sensitive Retrofit: Dales Fabrications Ltd Delivers for Netherfield Estate
July 2025

Leading designer & manufacturer of aluminium building products, Dales Fabrications is contributing to the £12 million retrofit of Milton Keynes’ Netherfield Estate, demonstrating the capability of aluminium systems to support both sustainability objectives and heritage preservation requirements.

For the retrofit, Dales are supplying their Fascia Soffit in RAL 9006 Matt, Delta 100 Gutter in RAL 9010 Satin, and 101.6mm Contemporary Rainwater Pipe in RAL 9010 Satin, working alongside ECD Architects, Mears Group, and Bailey MK Ltd.

Project Overview

The SHDF Wave 1-funded project is decarbonising 302 council-owned homes while respecting the estate’s architectural significance. With Phase 1 now complete, the retrofit programme is progressing through its final stages, with completion anticipated later this year.

Originally designed by ‘The Grunt Group’ under Milton Keynes Development Corporation, the 1970s estate holds recognition as a non-designated heritage asset. The retrofit addresses critical performance issues including inadequate insulation, damp, mould, and overheating, while preserving the estate’s architectural character through careful material selection.

Why Aluminium?

Aluminium’s durability, corrosion resistance, and lightweight properties make it ideal for this complex retrofit. The material’s strength-to-weight ratio suits architectural applications, while low maintenance characteristics reduce long-term costs for residents.

The specification of aluminium products also aligns with the project’s sustainability objectives due to the material’s high recyclability, which enables continuous reuse without quality degradation and supports circular economy principles. As a founding member of the CAB Closed Loop Recycling Scheme, Dales Fabrications actively works to maximise material efficiency and minimise environmental impact. This commitment is demonstrated through the supplied rainwater pipes, which comprise 78% recycled content and maintain full recyclability at end-of-life, supporting the project’s broader environmental goals.

Impact so Far

Energy modelling by ECD Architects guided targeted upgrades, including high-performance windows, external insulation, and warm roofs. Where Phase 1 upgrades are complete, tenants report improved thermal comfort, reduced heating requirements, and fuel bills cut by more than half compared to pre-retrofit conditions.

As well as receiving positive feedback from tenants, the project has received notable industry recognition, including being shortlisted for the ‘Unlock Net Zero Live Awards 2023’ in the Collaboration of the year category. Additionally, the project made it to the finals of both the ‘Constructing Excellence Awards 2024’ in the ‘regeneration & retrofit’ category and the ‘Unlock Net Zero Live Awards 2024’ in the ‘green homes upgrade of the Year’ category.

The importance of retrofit:

With the UK targeting 68% carbon reduction by 2030, projects like Netherfield Estate showcase how existing housing stock can be transformed through thoughtful specification, material selection, and collaboration, proving heritage preservation and decarbonisation can go hand-in-hand.