Thieves have stolen a “large amount of equipment” from Ilke Homes factory in Flaxby.
The modular housebuilder, which employed 1,150 staff, went into administration in June. Nearly all staff immediately lost their jobs.
The equipment was stolen two days after it had been auctioned by administrators to realise the value of assets on behalf of creditors.
A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said:
“North Yorkshire Police is investigating a report of a break-in at a large industrial premises near the village of Flaxby in North Yorkshire.
“It was reported that on August 19 a large amount of equipment worth thousands of pounds had been stolen from the premises.
“The investigation is ongoing at this time. No arrests have been made.”
Ilke Homes’ factory is close to junction 47 of the A1, about two miles from Knaresborough.
Ilke Homes’ site near the A1(M).
Administrators AlixPartners commissioned Hilco Valuation Services to auction items including electric hand tools, travelling cranes and tipping skips.
The Stray Ferret asked AlixPartners for details of the value of stolen items and whether the site maintained on-site security.
It declined to comment beyond a statement that said:
“We can confirm that there was a break-in and subsequent theft at a property relating to the Ilke Homes administration.
“The administrators are now working with insurers and all related parties to minimise any losses incurred.”
Read more:
- Equipment from Ilke Homes’ Flaxby factory to be sold
- Ilke Homes: More than 1,000 staff made redundant
Ilke Homes, which was founded in 2018, reported a pre-tax loss of £34m in its latest accounts.
It claimed to produce operationally zero-carbon modular homes from its Flaxby site.
Police urged anyone with information about the break-in to dial 101 and quote incident number 12230156480
Ripon and Boroughbridge firefighters called to factory blaze
Firefighters from Ripon and Boroughbridge were called to a fire in a factory yesterday.
An electrical fault in machinery used to make food stock caused the blaze, according to North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.
Crews were called to the factory at Hallikeld Close, Melmerby at 5.09pm.
The incident report added:
“Electrical wiring was destroyed, some fire damage to the room of origin occurred and smoke damage to the rest of the premises.
“Crews extinguished the fire using one hose reel and breathing apparatus.”
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Negotiations continue to find buyer for Knaresborough housebuilder
Most of Ilke Homes‘ Knaresborough staff are expected to remain at home on full pay next week as the company continues to seek a buyer.
The Stray Ferret understands a small number of staff will be in the Flaxby factory to help complete some orders and send them to site.
They will be joined by managers, who have remained at the factory this week after the workers were told a week ago to stay at home while the company sought investment.
The business was put up for sale this week and a source told the Stray Ferret its owners were now in “advanced talks” with a potential buyer.
In a statement issued earlier this week, the company blamed market conditions for its current situation:
“In 2020, Ilke Homes launched its turnkey development offering, where the company acquires land, secures planning permission and develops the site. This has been complicated by uncertainty over planning policy and rising build costs.
“While having delivered strong contribution margins, Ilke Homes now requires new investment to meet overheads, achieve further scale and become cash flow positive.
“The wider UK housing market has been hit by rapidly rising interest rates, which has reduced demand and resulted in housing starts falling below pre-pandemic levels.
“Official government figures have also revealed that planning applications in England have fallen to their lowest level in at least 16 years, thanks to uncertainty over planning policy and heightened build costs, highlighting the scale of the challenge in improving housing delivery.”
Read more:
- Knaresborough housebuilder up for sale as operations paused
- Staff sent home as Knaresborough housebuilder seeks urgent investment
Flaxby factory could send 300 homes to Guernsey
Flaxby-based modular housing developer Ilke Homes could manufacture 332 homes for a new housing scheme in Guernsey.
They would be built at Ilke’s factory and transported to Guernsey to be constructed on-site.
The Channel Islands Co-operative submitted plans for the development this week and include a car park and supermarket.
Nigel Banks, special projects manager for Ilke Homes, told the BBC:
“We have focussed on having homes that are very well insulated, they are also built using very sustainable materials – we have a big focus on having low emissions to the structures.
“The floors are manufactured then put on a trailer and transported to a harbour, then put on a charter vessel and then transported at night to the location.”
Harrogate BID to host culture and inclusion meeting
Harrogate BID will host a meeting next week at Hustle & Co in Harrogate.
Jane Slimming, founder of Culco, an organisation which helps businesses implement cultural programmes, will be the key speaker at the meeting. She is also CEO of Zeal, a Digital and Creative Agency.
Ms. Slimming is expected to speak about subjects around improving workplace culture and inclusion, the future of the workplace, and recruitment.
Jane Slimming
Harrogate Borough Council has worked closely with the company, helping businesses across Yorkshire. It also funded workshop participation hosted by Culco earlier this year.
Harrogate BID will also hear about plans for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in Harrogate.
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