Harworth Group plc

Half Year Results for the six months ended 30 June 2023

Management actions underpin uptick in valuations and resilient EPRA NDV performance

Strong balance sheet with significant available liquidity

 

Harworth Group plc ("Harworth" or the "Group"), a leading regenerator of land and property for sustainable development and investment, today announces its results for the six months ended 30 June 2023.

 

Key non-statutory measures(1)	H1 2023	H1 2022	FY 2022	Key statutory measures	H1 2023	H1 2022	FY 2022
Total Return (%)	0.1	14.1	0.1	Operating profit (£m)	8.0	99.9	44.5
EPRA NDV per share (p)(2)	195.7	224.7	196.5	Net asset value (£m)	603.1	655.1	602.7
Value gains (£m)	7.5	110.3	(2.0)	Total dividend per share (p)(3)	0.444	0.404	1.3
Net loan to portfolio value (%)	8.6	7.6	6.6	Net debt (£m)	63.7	67.8	48.4

 

Lynda Shillaw, Chief Executive of Harworth, commented: "Harworth's first half performance reflected good progress against strategic objectives, coupled with a strong operational delivery, which highlights the resilience of our through-the-cycle model, and sustained demand for our serviced residential land and industrial & logistics assets. In particular, the combination of sales of more mature industrial & logistics sites and our development of new high-specification space has accelerated the transition of our Investment Portfolio towards our goal of 100% Grade A. In residential, we continue to transact with a range of housebuilders, both national and regional, alongside progressing our alternative product offerings, including Build-to-Rent and Affordable Housing.

 

"Our management actions and sustained demand for our products have resulted in an uptick in valuations and EPRA NDV remaining broadly stable over the first six months of the year. The industrial & logistics market has stabilised over the period, albeit transactions are taking longer to complete, and the residential Build-to-Rent market is experiencing sustained demand. However, interest rate rises, cost inflation and planning delays are all impacting the housebuilders. House prices have remained reasonably resilient supported by reduced volumes of new build. While land buying is subdued and selective, we are seeing a good level of demand for our de-risked consented serviced land product.

 

"Harworth is a long-term through-the-cycle business, and we remain confident that our strategy to become a £1bn business by 2027 will deliver long-term value. Our significant landbank, specialist skillset and strong balance sheet position us well to maximise the significant value embedded in our sites."

 

Good occupier interest as direct development of industrial & logistics stock continues across 37.3m sq. ft pipeline:

·      Completed 110,000 sq. ft of Grade A space at Gateway 36 in Barnsley: 35% let, with good interest for remaining units

·      On-site with 166,000 sq. ft at the Advanced Manufacturing Park ('AMP') in Rotherham, which is 44% pre-let

 

Progressing sales and broadening the range of residential products across 28,359-plot pipeline:

·      After period-end, completed the sale of serviced land at Thoresby Vale, Nottinghamshire to Barratt and David Wilson Homes for £9.9m, in line with 31 December 2022 valuations

·      Working towards exchange of contracts with selected investment and construction partners for development of a single-family Build-to-Rent ('BTR') portfolio; good progress securing planning approvals

·      Strong levels of interest received for Affordable Housing portfolio, launched in April 2023

 

Scaling up through land acquisitions and land promotion activities: 

·      Acquisitions added 1.1m sq. ft of industrial & logistics space and 700 residential plots to the pipeline

·      Secured planning for 397 residential units and 0.3m sq. ft of industrial & logistics space

·      Applications for 7.4m sq. ft of industrial & logistics space and 1,641 residential plots progressing through the planning system

 

Investment Portfolio now 29% Grade A (31 December 2022: 18%)

·      Significant progress in transitioning portfolio by largely retaining directly developed assets and disposing of those where value has been maximised through asset management initiatives

·      Investment Portfolio sales completed in H1 totalled £52.1m, with a further £17.9m of disposals completed after period end, all at prices in line with December 2022 valuations before selling costs

·      Vacancy rate⁽⁴⁾ of 11.6% at 30 June 2023 (31 December 2022: 8.3%); reduced to 1.1% by excluding vacant space completed in the preceding 12 months (31 December 2022: 2.7%)

·      Leasing activity added £0.9m (6%) to annualised rent; new lettings, renewals and reviews at an average 4% premium to estimated rental values ('ERV'), with renewals and reviews 27% ahead of previous passing rent

 

Continued focus on making a lasting positive impact on the planet and communities

·      Publication of Net Zero Carbon ('NZC') Pathway in April 2023, outlining the steps that the Group is taking to achieve its ambition of being operationally NZC by 2030 and NZC for all emissions by 2040

·      Opening of new 50-acre country park at Cadley Park in Derbyshire, providing new recreational space and wildlife habitats at the 600-home development

 

Management actions drive broadly stable EPRA NDV

•     EPRA NDV⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾ per share decreased by 0.4% to 195.7p (31 December 2022: 196.5p), as first half valuation gains of £7.5m were offset by net operating costs, interest expenses and tax

•      Statutory net assets increased by 0.1% to £603.1m (31 December 2022: £602.7m)

•      Underlying increase of 10% in the interim dividend to 0.444p per share, in line with Group's dividend policy

•      At reporting date, 98% of budgeted sales of the year either completed, exchanged or in heads of terms

 

Strong balance sheet and financial position, with low gearing and significant available liquidity

·      As at 30 June 2023 net debt was £63.7m (31 December 2022: £48.4m), representing an LTV of 8.6% (31 December 2022: 6.6%)

·      Available liquidity of £163.5m at 30 June 2023 (31 December 2022: £175.6m); no major refinancing requirements until 2027

 

Notes:

(1)     Harworth discloses both statutory and alternative performance measures ('APMs'). A full description of, and reconciliation to, the APMs is set out in Note 2 to the financial statements

(2)      European Public Real Estate Association ('EPRA') Net Disposal Value ('NDV')

(3)    The Ex-dividend date, Record date and Payment date for the 2023 interim dividend can be found in the Shareholder Information section of this announcement

(4)  Calculated using the EPRA Best Practices Recommendations Guidelines. Occupier Ilke Homes, which represents 7% of headline rent roll, entered administration during the period, but has remained in occupation to date. The related space is therefore classified as occupied for the purposes of this calculation.

 

For further information

 

Harworth Group plc
Lynda Shillaw (Chief Executive) Kitty Patmore (Chief Financial Officer) Tom Loughran (Head of Investor & Stakeholder Relations)	T: +44 (0)114 349 3131 E: [email protected]
FTI Consulting
Dido Laurimore Richard Gotla Eve Kirmatzis	T: +44 (0)20 3727 1000 E: [email protected]

 

Results presentation

 

Harworth will host a presentation for analysts and investors at 10.00am today. A live webcast and playback of this presentation can be accessed at the following link: https://brrmedia.news/HWG_HY23

 

About Harworth

 

Listed on the Premium Segment of the Main Market, Harworth Group plc (LSE: HWG) is a leading sustainable regenerator of land and property for development and investment which owns, develops and manages a portfolio of over 13,000 acres of land on around 100 sites located throughout the North of England and Midlands. The Group specialises in the regeneration of large, complex sites, in particular former industrial sites, into new residential and industrial & logistics developments. Visit www.harworthgroup.com for further information. LEI: 213800R8JSSGK2KPFG21

Chief Executive's review

 

Harworth's first half performance reflected good progress against strategic objectives, coupled with a strong operational delivery, which highlights the resilience of our through-the-cycle model, and sustained demand for our serviced residential land and industrial & logistics assets. This sustained demand for our products, and our management actions, have resulted in our valuations increasing and EPRA NDV remaining broadly stable over the first six months of the year.

 

Our markets

 

Harworth's focus markets of residential and industrial & logistics both continue to be characterised by favourable supply and demand dynamics, and are fundamental to delivering growth in the UK economy.

 

For the industrial & logistics sector, the structural drivers of demand seen in recent years remain intact, with the growth of e-commerce, on-shoring and near-shoring and an increasing focus amongst occupiers on securing modern and sustainable spaces. Data from Savills shows that, although take-up of industrial space in the first half was lower than the record-breaking levels seen in the previous three years, it was broadly in line with levels seen before the pandemic. There also continues to be a diverse range of sectors driving demand, with manufacturing accounting for a record proportion of take-up in the first half.

 

The decline in demand during the first half saw a corresponding rise in supply, with Savills estimating a market-wide vacancy rate of 6.3% as at 30 June 2023, increased from 3.0% a year ago, but broadly in line with the long-term pre-pandemic average, and expected to gradually fall as speculative development in the market is curtailed. Across Harworth's focus regions of Yorkshire & Central, the North West and the Midlands, vacancy remains below the national average with less than one year's supply based on current take-up, underpinning the particularly favourable supply and demand dynamics of our regional markets. What is more, we continue to see rental growth from our letting activity and rent reviews.

 

Following a rapid valuation correction in the industrial & logistics market in the second half of 2022, asset prices have stabilised, and there are signs that liquidity is returning. We can evidence sustained demand for high-quality, well-located assets through our sale of £70.0m of Investment Portfolio assets so far this year, at prices that are in line with, or ahead of, December 2022 book values. Figures from MSCI show that capital values for UK industrial assets remained broadly stable over the six months to 30 June 2023, which reflects our own valuation performance.

 

In residential markets, consumer demand remains subdued, as a result of higher mortgage rates, challenging affordability and lower consumer confidence, albeit interest rates appear to be nearing their peak. Reporting from housebuilders suggests reduced construction volumes over the coming year and a more selective approach to land acquisitions. Despite this, we have seen good levels of demand from a wide range of housebuilders, both national and regional, many of whom we have long-term relationships with, underscoring the differentiated nature of our serviced and, therefore, de-risked land product. It also reflects the reality that, due to a defective planning system and lower levels of applications for major schemes, the supply of consented land across the market is becoming increasingly constrained.

 

The institutional BTR market has continued to grow despite the wider market uncertainty, demonstrating the defensive nature of the product and the acute shortage of rental homes in the UK. Savills reports that investment volumes in the sector had a record-breaking second quarter in 2023, bringing the total investment in the first half to £2.1bn. The UK's BTR stock now stands at 88,100 homes, representing growth of 12% in the last 12 months, with regional markets growing faster than London. Despite this, only 11% of the built stock is single-family and transactions remain focused on multifamily, which have accounted for around 60% of investment over the last 12 months. Rents in the sector continue to grow, but challenges facing consumers highlight the importance of providing affordable products. Our single-family BTR  and Affordable Housing portfolios of sites are particularly well-positioned to address the acute supply imbalance.

 

Operational performance

 

Our strategy sets out a clear road map for our ambition to grow EPRA NDV* to £1bn by 2027. It aims to accelerate the delivery of our sites and achieve our NZC ambitions, drawing on our highly specialist expertise and extensive land bank. The table below shows our progress to date against the four key growth drivers of this strategy.

 

Growth driver	2021	2022	Progress in H1 2023	Ambition by 2027
Increasing direct development of industrial & logistics stock	51,000 sq. ft developed	432,000 sq. ft developed	110,000 sq. ft developed   On-site with 166,000 sq. ft, of which 44% is pre-let	800,000 sq. ft completed on average per annum
Accelerating sales and broadening the range of our residential products	1,411 plots sold	2,236 plots sold	92% of budgeted plot sales for the year completed, exchanged or in heads of terms	2,000 plots sold on average per annum
Scaling up land acquisitions and promotion activities	Land supply of 12-15 years		Maintained 12-15 year land supply through acquisitions representing 1.1m sq. ft and 700 plots	Maintain a land supply of 12-15 years
Repositioning our Investment Portfolio to modern Grade A	11% of the Investment Portfolio was Grade A	18% of the Investment Portfolio was Grade A	29% of the Investment Portfolio was Grade A at period end	100% of the Investment Portfolio to be Grade A

 

In January, we completed the development of 110,000 sq. ft as part of the next phase of Gateway 36, with one unit already let and another in heads of terms. As we have previously indicated, our focus for 2023 will be on built-to-suit and pre-let direct development opportunities, as well as land sales to potential occupiers. In line with this strategy, we have pre-let a 73,000 sq. ft unit at the AMP to a technology occupier and are in advanced discussions on build-to-suit opportunities with other potential occupiers at the site.

 

Our residential land sales are typically heavily weighted towards the second half of the year. Therefore, our focus in the first half has been on progressing transactions and carrying out land preparation and infrastructure works across our development sites. Underscoring the level of demand, we have on average received seven housebuilder bids for each residential land parcel marketed so far this year (2022: seven bids), with average headline bids ahead of book values. Shortly after period end, we completed a sale to Barratt and David Wilson Homes of a land parcel at Thoresby Vale, for the construction of 174 homes.

 

Some of our budgeted residential sales for the year relate to our BTR portfolio, for which we are making good progress towards exchanging contracts with our preferred investment and construction partners. While timelines have become protracted in places owing mainly to a challenging planning environment, we have been successful in achieving planning approvals across several of our portfolio sites. For Harworth, this is not about delivering any transaction, but doing the right transaction and ensuring that we manage the risks as the market has shifted around us. It has also been critical throughout for us to identify partners with whom we can develop a long-term relationship based on shared values and ambitions.

 

We also launched an Affordable Housing portfolio during the year, which comprises approximately 400 homes that meet the National Planning Policy Framework criteria for affordable housing (which entails social rents, affordable rents, and a range of intermediate rent and for-sale products such as the shared ownership scheme). We have had good levels of interest in the portfolio, which will allow us to further accelerate the delivery and enhance the vibrancy of our residential sites.

 

Turning to acquisitions, we added 1.1m sq. ft of industrial & logistics space and 700 residential plots to our pipeline during the period. These were achieved through a combination of freehold acquisitions and Planning Promotion Agreements ('PPAs'). The size of our landbank remains a key differentiator for us, providing flexibility and the potential to smooth our returns profile at a portfolio level, as well as unlocking exciting new opportunities for the business.

 

During the period, we accelerated our plans to reposition the Investment Portfolio, with the proportion of Grade A space within it rising from 18% at the beginning of the period to 29%. This was driven by a significant sales programme of assets where we had maximised value through asset management or development initiatives. These sales totalled £52.1m in the first half, with a further £17.9m of disposals completed after period end, all at prices that were in line with December 2022 valuations before selling costs. Letting activity remains strong, with completed deals adding £0.9m of annualised rent during the period (H1 2022: £0.1m) representing significant uplifts to previous passing rents and a modest premium to 31 December 2022 ERVs.

 

Our sustainability programme, The Harworth Way, is our framework for integrating sustainability and social value into both our business and the developments we create. Perhaps the most tangible output of this is the placemaking that we create across our development sites, and I was delighted that we have been able to progress several initiatives in this space so far this year. In April we opened a new 50-acre country park at our Cadley Park development in Derbyshire, which benefits from new purpose-built footpaths and cycleways, a picnic area and community orchard, as well as new habitats to protect and promote local wildlife, alongside a memorial pit wheel, commemorating the site's rich mining history. We are continuing work on further country parks at our Thoresby Vale and Pheasant Hill Park sites, both of which are expected to be open next year.

 

Financial performance

 

Despite the challenging macroeconomic environment, management actions offset adverse valuation movements on our major development sites and drove value across our Investment Portfolio and strategic land sites, resulting in EPRA NDV per share* remaining broadly flat at 195.7p (31 December 2022: 196.5p), which translated into a Total Return of 0.1% for the first half of 2023 (H1 2022: 14.1%). Statutory net asset value was £603.1m (31 December 2022: £602.7m).

 

Sales of serviced land and property, in addition to income from rent, royalties and fees, resulted in Group revenue of £18.2m (H1 2022: £62.6m). Revenue was broadly in line with H1 2020 and H1 2021, the reduction from H1 2022 primarily reflecting lower residential development property sales, which were brought forward into 2022 to capitalise on the strength of the residential market at the time.

 

The Board is proposing an interim dividend of 0.444p per share, representing 10% underlying growth from 2022, in line with our dividend policy.

 

We maintain a strong balance sheet and financial position, with significant available liquidity of £163.5m as at 30 June 2023 (31 December 2022: £175.6m) and no major refinancing events until 2027. Our LTV at period-end was 8.6% (31 December 2022: 6.6%), affording us a high degree of flexibility and resilience as we pursue our strategy.

 

Outlook 

 

The economic outlook for the UK is likely to remain challenging in the near term, although there are encouraging signs that inflationary pressures are easing and interest rates are approaching their peak. For the industrial & logistics market, the structural drivers of demand remain largely intact, while supply remains constrained, particularly for Grade A energy efficient buildings and across our regions where supply represents less than a year of demand. For residential, while affordability challenges are weighing on house buyer demand, our sites are located in the more affordable regions and housebuilders remain attracted to our serviced residential land product, which is ready to build on from day one. At the same time, our increasingly diversified residential products range will provide exposure to significant growth markets.

 

Harworth is a long-term through-the-cycle business. Most of our sites will be in development, planning or land assembly through the next few years and into the next decade. Our landbank is significant, with the ability to deliver 37.3m sq. ft of industrial and logistics space and 28,359 homes, and our nearer term sites (those classified as Major Developments) have a combined gross development value of around £2.4bn. Crucially, we have the team with the specialist skillset to look through near-term market conditions and deliver these schemes and, where we need to, invest to create the future value and returns that we can unlock from our sites.

 

Finally, I would like to thank my colleagues across the business, who have embraced the ambition of our strategy and have worked extremely hard to deliver another six months of strong progress. Our robust financial performance and operational progress against a challenging market backdrop is a testament to their dedication, determination, skills, and teamwork.

               

Lynda Shillaw

Chief Executive

12 September 2023

 

*Harworth discloses both statutory and alternative performance measures ('APMs'). A full description of, and reconciliation to, the APMs is set out in Note 2 to the financial statements

Operational review

 

Industrial & logistics land portfolio

 

At 30 June 2023, the industrial & logistics pipeline totalled 37.3m sq. ft (31 December 2022: 35.0m sq. ft), of which 5.6m sq. ft was consented (31 December 2022: 5.4m sq. ft), and 7.4m sq. ft was in the planning system awaiting determination (31 December 2022: 5.6m sq. ft). The pipeline was 57% owned freehold, with the remaining 43% controlled via options or PPAs.

 

Acquisitions and land assembly

 

During the period, freehold acquisitions added 1.1m sq. ft to the pipeline. These comprised:

 

·    Parkside East, St Helens, Merseyside: a 50-acre site with direct access to Junction 22 of the M6, close to the M62 interchange. The site was allocated in the recently adopted local plan and forms part of a wider regeneration area, supported by the council. Harworth is developing a masterplan for up to 0.8m sq. ft of employment space, which will be submitted for planning approval.

 

·     A land parcel at Skelton Grange, Leeds: a parcel of land adjacent to the Group's existing Skelton Grange site, which has the potential to deliver an additional 0.3m sq. ft of industrial & logistics space.

 

Planning

 

During the period, planning approval was secured for 0.3m sq. ft of industrial & logistics space across two sites: 0.2m sq. ft on the site of the former Houghton Main Colliery in South Yorkshire, and 0.1m sq. ft at Bardon West, adjacent to the Group's existing Bardon Hill site in Leicestershire.

 

Three significant planning applications currently remain in the system awaiting determination:

 

·  Cinderhill, Derbyshire: Proposals for a mixed-use development comprising 1.8m sq. ft of high specification employment space alongside 300 houses and a new junction on the A38 trunk road.

 

·    Gascoigne Wood, North Yorkshire: this 185-acre former colliery site benefits from an existing rail connection and close proximity to the A1(M) and M62. Revised plans have been submitted for 1.5m sq. ft of rail-linked industrial & logistics space at the site.

 

·   Skelton Grange, Leeds: formerly the location of Skelton Grange Power Station, this 50-acre site was acquired by Harworth in 2014 and is adjacent to Junction 45 of the M1, to the south-east of Leeds city centre. Plans have been submitted for 800,000 sq. ft of space across five units, in addition to infrastructure upgrades, new cycle ways and footpaths, and ecological enhancements.

 

Direct development and placemaking

 

During the period, 110,000 sq. ft of industrial & logistics space was completed at Gateway 36 in Barnsley, representing the start of the development's second phase. The units were delivered to Harworth's sustainable commercial building specification, targeting EPC A and BREEAM Excellent, with whole life carbon assessments and renewable energy provision incorporated into the design.

 

Direct development works currently underway total 166,000 sq. ft, all at the AMP. The works comprise 93,000 sq. ft of speculative construction as part of the next phase of the development, which has received significant occupier interest, and a 73,000 sq. ft built-to-suit development which has been pre-let to a technology occupier.

Residential land portfolio

 

As at 30 June 2023, the residential pipeline had the potential to deliver 28,359 housing plots (31 December 2022: 29,311), of which 6,508 were consented (31 December 2022: 6,111), and 1,641 were in the planning system awaiting determination (31 December 2022: 1,890). The pipeline was 51% owned freehold, with the remaining 49% subject to PPAs, options or overages.

 

Acquisitions and land assembly

 

During the period, a PPA was signed on a parcel of land at Aughton, Rotherham, capable of delivering up to 700 homes. Harworth will work with local stakeholders to bring forward a masterplan in advance of submitting a planning application.

 

Planning

 

During the period, planning consent was secured for 397 homes at a site in Killamarsh, Derbyshire. The site is now being marketed for sale, and bids have been received from a range of housebuilders.

 

Plot sales

 

As at reporting date, 92% of the Group's budgeted residential land sales for the year had been completed, exchanged or were subject to heads of terms.

 

Residential products

 

One of the Group's key strategic objectives is broadening the range of its residential products, and to date it has launched two portfolios of sites to deliver on this:

 

•    Single-family BTR portfolio: approximately 1,000 single-family homes across nine sites, to be delivered through a forward-funding agreement. The Group has secured planning consents across several sites in the first half and is now progressing towards exchange with its preferred investment and delivery partners.

 

•      Affordable Housing portfolio: approximately 400 homes across four sites, that meet the National Planning Policy Framework criteria for affordable housing (social rents, affordable rents, as well as a range of intermediate rent and for-sale products, such as the shared ownership scheme), to be delivered by a forward-funding agreement. The portfolio has received good levels of interest.

 

Placemaking

 

As a master developer, Harworth prides itself on investing in its residential sites to provide enhanced infrastructure, amenities and green spaces. This investment creates a sense of community that improves the wellbeing of residents and enhances the attractiveness of these developments to housebuilders and a wide range of partners. During the period, several placemaking initiatives were undertaken across the portfolio:

 

·     Cadley Park, Derbyshire: In April 2023, a new 50-acre country park was opened, having been developed by Harworth working in close partnership with South Derbyshire District Council as well as the National Forest, RSPB, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and the local community. The park benefits from new purpose-built footpaths and cycleways, a picnic area and community orchard, as well as new habitats to protect and promote local wildlife. The site also features a memorial pit wheel, commemorating the site's rich mining history.

 

·    South East Coalville, Leicestershire: a land sale to Aldi was completed, for the construction of a new supermarket that will form a key part of the site's proposed local centre.

 

·    Waverley, South Yorkshire: construction is underway of a new 150-bedroom hotel, including a restaurant and gym facilities, which will also be available to residents on site. Planning permission has also been granted for a new primary health centre, and a planning application has been submitted for a revised design for Olive Lane, a new centre of the community with cafes, restaurants and shops. These amenities are expected to be delivered by late 2024.  

 

·    Moss Nook, Merseyside: In March 2023, a planning application was submitted for new sports facilities at the site, which will be the home of a local junior football team and help to unlock the next phase of residential development.

 

Investment Portfolio

 

This portfolio comprises both industrial & logistics assets that have been acquired by Harworth and, increasingly, those that have been directly developed and retained. It provides recurring rental income in addition to asset management opportunities and the potential for capital value growth.

 

As at 30 June 2023, the Investment Portfolio comprised 14 sites covering 2.9m sq. ft (31 December 2022: 19 sites covering 4.0m sq. ft). It generated £15.8m of annualised rent (31 December 2022: £19.7m), equating to a gross yield of 6.6% (31 December 2022: 7.0%) and a net initial yield of 5.9% (31 December 2022: 6.2%). Annualised rent for the portfolio decreased during the period, as a result of a highly successful sales programme of more mature assets, which was partially offset by the creation of new Grade A space at Gateway 36 and a 3.0% like-for-like increase in rents . Grade A space represented 29% of the portfolio (31 December 2022: 18%).

 

During the period, 277,000 sq. ft of leasing deals were completed (H1 2022: 48,000 sq. ft), adding £0.9m of annualised rent (H1 2022: £0.1m). New lettings, renewals and reviews at an average 4% premium to estimated rental values ('ERV'), with renewals and reviews 27% ahead of previous passing rent.

 

The portfolio had an average rent per tenant of £6.55 per sq. ft at 30 June 2023 (31 December 2022: £6.43) and, weighted by area, an average rent of £5.32 per sq. ft (31 December 2022: £4.69).

 

Across the Investment Portfolio, operational metrics remain robust. Vacancy was 11.6% at 30 June 2023 (31 December 2022: 8.3%), which reduces to 1.1% when space completed in the preceding 12 months is excluded (31 December 2022: 2.7%); while the weighted average unexpired lease term ("WAULT") was 12.5 years (31 December 2022: 11.3 years).

 

Occupier Ilke Homes, which represents 7% of headline rent roll, entered administration during the period, but has remained in occupation to date. The related space is therefore classified as occupied for the purposes of the vacancy calculation. The Group is currently exploring options for the site, including reletting, refurbishment or redevelopment of the unit.

 

Disposals

 

A key element of Harworth's growth strategy is to transition its Investment Portfolio to modern Grade A, by retaining more direct development but also by disposing of assets where value has already been maximised through asset management and development initiatives.

 

The sales of five Investment Portfolio sites were completed in the first half for total consideration of £52.1m, with a further £17.9m of disposals completed after period end. These sales were all at prices in line with December 2022 valuations before selling costs.

 

Natural Resources portfolio

 

Harworth's Natural Resources portfolio comprises sites used by occupiers for a wide range of energy production and extraction purposes, including wind and solar energy schemes, battery storage and methane capture. As part of the Group's Energy & Natural Capital strategy, the aim is to grow this portfolio, alongside strategic partners where appropriate, through developing renewable energy generation solutions and other sustainability initiatives such as battery storage, solar, EV charging, multi-fuel hubs and reforestation/rewilding. The strategy has a wider focus on embedding these energy concepts and future-proofing principles across all of Harworth's sites to maximise energy availability and resilience, create economic value and help fulfil the Group's NZC ambitions.

 

As at 30 June 2023, the Natural Resources portfolio generated £2.4m of annualised gross rent (31 December 2022: £2.1m).

 

Net Zero Carbon pathway

 

In 2022, the Group committed to becoming NZC for Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 business travel emissions by 2030 and to being NZC for all emissions by 2040. To meet these objectives, the Group has developed a NZC pathway and embedded NZC commitments into a range of workstreams and targets to guide the Group's growth strategy in the development of industrial & logistics and residential sites.

 

Further information on The Harworth Way and the Group's NZC pathway can be found within the 2022 Annual Report and standalone NZC Pathway Report, which were both published in April 2023.

 

 

Financial review

 

Overview 

  

Our first half financial performance was resilient, delivering a Total Return (the movement in EPRA NDV* plus dividends per share paid in the period expressed as a percentage of opening EPRA NDV per share) of 0.1% (H1 2022: 14.1%). Positive revaluation gains achieved across the portfolio were offset by net operating costs, interest costs, tax and dividends, enabling EPRA NDV to remain broadly flat at 195.7p per share (31 December 2022: 196.5p). Our performance reflected good progress against strategic objectives, coupled with a strong operational delivery, and provides a good foundation for the Group's future growth.  

 

Sales of serviced land and property, in addition to income from rent, royalties and fees, resulted in Group revenue of £18.2m during the period (H1 2022: £62.6m).  Revenue was broadly in line with H1 2020 and H1 2021, the reduction from H1 2022 primarily reflecting lower residential development property sales, which were brought forward into 2022 to capitalise on the strength of the residential market at the time. The prior year period also included revenue from a built-to-suit project and fees from a PPA. Rental income collection has been consistently strong, with like-for-like income increases of 3.0% across the portfolio. Management actions included the completion of direct development at Gateway 36 in Barnsley, lettings and rent reviews, which offset the reductions resulting from the sale of investment property during the period as we continued to transition the Investment Portfolio towards Grade A. Looking forward, the sales profile is robust, with 98% of 2023 budgeted sales by value already completed, exchanged or in heads of terms at the time of reporting (at the time of reporting H1 2022: 98%).

 

The fair value of investment properties increased by £15.0m (FY 2022: £19.7m decrease, H1 2022: £85.3m increase),  which contributed to an underlying operating profit of £8.0m (FY 2022: £44.5m, H1 2022: £99.9m) and profit after tax of £2.8m (FY 2022: £27.8m, H1 2022: £79.1m). 

 

The Group has declared an interim dividend of 0.444p (H1 2022: 0.404p) per share, representing a 10% growth from 2022, in line with our dividend policy. 

 

BNP Paribas and Savills, our independent valuers, completed a desktop valuation of our portfolio as at 30 June 2023, resulting in first half valuation gains* of £11.1m (FY 2022: £15.0m losses, H1 2022: £105.5m gains), including the movement in the market value of development properties. These gains were the result of management actions including progress on development sites, obtaining planning permissions, completing direct development schemes and asset management initiatives, against the backdrop of an industrial & logistics market which had stabilised over the period. However, the revaluation gains were held back by the wider economic environment and offset by further outward movement in investment yields in some instances alongside higher construction costs. Beyond valuation movements, losses on sales were £3.5m (H1 2022: profit of £4.9m). Although sales prices were in line with book values overall, the loss was driven by the impact of selling costs and higher levels of estimated future site-wide infrastructure costs allocated to prior period sales, in particular at our Waverley site where increased costs were driven by a change in the site masterplan. This gave us total value gains of £7.5m (H1 2022: £110.3m).

 

Over the period, net asset value grew to £603.1m (31 December 2022: £602.7m). With EPRA adjustments for development property valuations included, EPRA NDV at 30 June 2023 reduced very slightly to £631.2m (31 December 2022: £633.8m) representing a per share decrease of 0.4% to 195.7p (31 December 2022: 196.5p).   

  

The Group remains well capitalised and as at 30 June 2023 had available liquidity of £163.5m (31 December 2022: £175.6m). Net debt was £63.7m (31 December 2022: £48.4m) resulting in a net loan to portfolio value at 30 June 2023 of 8.6% (31 December 2022: 6.6%). At the same date, 30% of the Group's drawn debt was subject to fixed rates (31 December 2022: 34%). We currently do not have interest rate hedging in place against drawings under our Revolving Credit Facility (RCF), although this will remain under review.

  

Presentation of financial information  

 

As our property portfolio includes development properties and joint venture arrangements, Alternative Performance Measures ('APMs') can provide valuable insight into our business alongside statutory measures. In particular, revaluation gains on development properties are not recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement and the Balance Sheet. The APMs outlined below measure movements in development property revaluations, overages and joint ventures. We believe that these APMs assist in providing stakeholders with additional useful disclosure on the underlying trends, performance and position of the Group.       

  

Our key APMs* are:  

  

·    Total Return: the movement in EPRA NDV plus dividends per share paid in the period expressed as a percentage of opening EPRA NDV per share.

 

·    EPRA NDV per share: EPRA NDV aims to represent shareholder value under an orderly sale of the business, where deferred tax, financial instruments and certain other adjustments are calculated to the full extent of their liability net of any resulting tax. EPRA NDV per share is EPRA NDV divided by the number of shares in issue at the end of the period (less shares held by the Employee Benefit Trust or Equiniti Share Plan Trustees Limited to satisfy Restricted Share Plan and Share Incentive Plan awards.) 

 

·  Value gains: the realised profits from the sales of properties and unrealised profits from property valuation movements including joint ventures, and the mark-to-market movement on development properties and overages.

 

·    Net loan to portfolio value: Group debt net of cash held expressed as a percentage of portfolio value.

  

A full description of all non-statutory measures and reconciliations between all statutory and non-statutory measures are provided in Note 2 to the condensed consolidated interim financial statements. 

 

Our financial reporting is aligned to our business units of Capital Growth and Income Generation, with items which are not directly allocated to specific business activities held centrally and presented separately.   

 

Income Statement 

 

	H1 2023				H1 2022
	Capital  Growth £m	Income Generation £m	Central Overheads £m	Total  £m	Capital  Growth  £m	Income Generation £m	Central Overheads £m	Total  £m
Revenue	4.3	13.9	-	18.2	47.0	15.6	-	62.6
Cost of sales	(6.1)	(3.5)	-	(9.6)	(32.9)	(4.2)	-	(37.1)
Gross profit	(1.8)	10.4	-	8.6	14.1	11.4	-	25.5
Administrative expenses	(2.2)	(2.3)	(9.8)	(14.3)	(2.1)	(1.3)	(7.5)	(10.9)
Other gains	12.5	1.3	-	13.8	72.6	12.8	-	85.4
Operating profit/(loss)	8.5	9.4	(9.8)	8.0	84.5	22.9	(7.5)	99.9
Share of (loss)/profit of JVs	(0.9)	0.1	-	(0.8)	1.0	1.2	-	2.2
Net interest credit/(expense)	0.3	-	(3.1)	(2.8)	-	-	(3.4)	(3.4)
Profit/(loss) before tax	7.9	9.5	(12.9)	4.5	85.6	24.1	(10.9)	98.8
Tax charge	-	-	(1.6)	(1.6)	-	-	(19.7)	(19.7)
Profit/(loss) after tax	7.9	9.5	(14.5)	2.8	85.6	24.1	(30.6)	79.1

 Note: There are minor differences on some totals due to roundings.

   

Capital Growth revenue, which primarily relates to the sale of development properties, decreased during the period due to accelerated residential land sales undertaken in H1 2022 to capitalise on the market conditions at the time. H1 2022 also saw fees generated from PPAs and build-to-suit development, which together totalled £7.9m.

  

Revenue from Income Generation (the Investment Portfolio, Natural Resources and Agricultural Land) mainly comprises property rental and royalty income. Revenue of £13.9m (H1 2022: £15.6m) was lower due to the final sales of coal fines inventory occurring during H1 2022. Revenue for the first half also included the impact of new lettings related to direct development and asset management initiatives, as well as increased royalties from energy assets. Rental income from the Investment Portfolio decreased on an annualised basis from £19.7m at 31 December 2022 to £15.8m, reflecting the successful sale of assets totalling £52.1m where we had maximised value through asset management initiatives. Excluding the impact of these sales and the practical completion of our Gateway 36 Barnsley development, rent grew by 3.0%.  

  

Cost of sales comprises the inventory cost of development property sales and both the direct and recoverable service charge costs of the Income Generation business. Cost of sales decreased to £9.6m (H1 2022: £37.1m), of which £5.3m related to the inventory cost of development property sales (H1 2022: £26.8m). H1 2022 also included additional costs related to build-to-suit development. In the year, we saw a small increase in the net realisable value provision on development properties of £0.3m (H1 2022: £2.4m reduction) following the valuation process as at 30 June 2023.    

  

Administrative expenses increased in the period by £3.4m (H1 2022: £2.2m increase). This included the impact of increased employee numbers, primarily driven by recruitment in 2022 to right size the resources of the Group to deliver our strategy, as well as the impact of inflationary cost increases. Growth in employee numbers has slowed during 2023. Administrative expenses also included an increase in provisions for bad and doubtful debts as well as an impairment of lease incentives, together totalling £1.5m (H1 2022: £0.3m), which included the £1.2m impact of one of our occupiers, Ilke Homes, entering administration in June 2023. Costs were also incurred in relation to strategic workstreams such as the development of our mixed tenure products and ESG initiatives. Administrative expenses expressed as a percentage of revenue over the 12 months to 30 June 2023 was 21%, increasing from 14% for the 12 months to 30 June 2022, reflecting the increases in costs as well as the timing of revenue generating activity, in particular the acceleration in activity relating to sales of development property to capitalise on the positive market conditions during H1 2022. 

  

Other gains comprised a £14.8m combined net increase (H1 2022: £85.3m) in the fair value of investment properties and assets held for sale ('AHFS') less the loss on sale of investment properties and AHFS of £1.1m including transaction fees (H1 2022: £0.1m profit). 

 

Joint venture losses of £0.8m (H1 2022: £2.2m profit) were largely the result of a small decrease in the property valuation at Aire Valley Land. Value gains/(losses) on a non-statutory basis are outlined below. 

 

Non-statutory value gains/(losses)^* 

 

Value gains/(losses) are made up of profit/(loss) on sale, revaluation gains/(losses) on investment properties (including joint ventures), and revaluation gains/(losses) on development properties, AHFS and overages. A reconciliation between statutory and non-statutory value gains can be found in Note 2 to the condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

  

£m	Category	H1 2023			H1 2022			30 Jun 23	31 Dec 22
		Loss on sale	Reval. gains/ (losses)	Total	Profit on sale	Reval. gains/ (losses)	Total	Total valuation	Total valuation
Capital Growth
Residential Major Developments	Development	(2.3)	(2.2)	(4.5)	5.2	5.8	11.0	234.4	228.1
Industrial & logistics Major Developments	Mixed	(0.2)	(2.3)	(2.5)	(0.5)	43.4	42.9	75.8	68.2
Residential Strategic Land	Investment	(0.1)	3.3	3.2	0.2	34.1	34.3	55.6	51.4
Industrial & logistics Strategic Land	Investment	-	9.9	9.9	-	8.0	8.0	105.2	82.2
Income Generation
Investment Portfolio	Investment	(0.9)	2.5	1.6	-	14.7	14.7	240.2	280.9
Natural Resources	Investment	-	(0.2)	(0.2)	-	(0.7)	(0.7)	20.1	20.3
Agricultural Land	Investment	-	0.1	0.1	-	0.1	0.1	6.5	5.7
Total		(3.5)	11.1	7.5	4.9	105.5	110.3	737.8	736.8

Notes: A full description and reconciliation of the APMs in the above table is included in Note 2 to the condensed consolidated interim financial statements. There are some minor differences on some totals due to roundings. Profit/(loss) on sale includes the impact of transaction fees incurred.

  

Loss on sale of £3.5m (H1 2022: £4.9m profit) reflected the completion of sales broadly in line with book value, offset by selling costs, and included an increase in the estimate of shared infrastructure costs attributable to prior period sales, in particular at our Waverley site where increased costs were driven by a change in the site masterplan. Revaluation gains were £11.1m (H1 2022: £105.5m) and are outlined in the table below.   

 

		H1 2023  £m	H1 2022  £m
Increase in fair value of investment properties		15.0	85.3
Decrease in value of assets held for sale		(0.2)	-
Movement in net realisable value provision on development properties		(0.3)	2.4
Contribution to statutory operating profit		14.6	87.7
Share of (loss)/profit of joint ventures		(0.8)	2.2
Unrealised (losses)/gains on development properties and overages*		(2.7)	15.6
Total non-statutory revaluation gains		11.1	105.5

 Note: There are minor differences on some totals due to roundings

 

The principal revaluation gains and losses across the divisions reflected the following:  

  

Industrial & logistics

 

Following significant investment yield increases in the second half of 2022, the industrial & logistics market remained relatively stable over the first half of 2023 with small increases in yields of 25bps. Occupier demand remained resilient during the period and market rents across the sector increased. For development sites, costs of construction increased over the period but at a lower rate compared to 2022. Combined, this resulted in revaluation losses of £2.3m on Major Developments. Strategic Land valuations increased due to the progression of site strategies on individual sites.

Investment Portfolio property yields moved in line with the market and our management actions securing sales, new leases, renewals and rent reviews resulted in the net initial yield moving 30bps to 5.9% from 6.2% as at 31 December 2022. The equivalent yield moved from 7.8% to 7.4%.

 

Residential

 

The residential land market was stable during the first half. Supply of serviced land remained constrained and house prices were maintained in our regions with demand remaining from a range of housebuilders for serviced land. Progress toward residential land sales on our Major Development sites continued to demonstrate demand for our serviced land product and underpin valuations. As we saw with industrial & logistics development sites, costs of construction increased over the period, which resulted in revaluation losses of £2.2m on Major Developments.

 

Sites progressing through the planning process supported Strategic Land valuations, with planning secured for 397 residential units at a development site in South Yorkshire leading to a valuation gain.

 

Natural Resources

 

Valuations remained broadly consistent during the period, with a minor valuation decline due to the discontinuation of coal mine methane extraction.

 

Agricultural Land

 

We experienced a small valuation increase as a result of improving agricultural land prices.  

  

Net realisable value provision

 

The net realisable value provision on development properties as at 30 June 2023 was £10.1m (31 December 2022: £9.8m). This provision is held to reduce the value of six development properties from their deemed cost (the fair value at which they were transferred from an investment to a development categorisation) to their net realisable value at 30 June 2023. The transfer from investment to development property takes place once planning is secured and development with a view to sale has commenced.   

 

Cash and sales 

 

The Group made property sales* in the period of £56.2m (H1 2022: £39.0m), realising a total loss on sale of £3.5m (H1 2022: profit of £4.9m). Sales comprised residential development sales of £4.0m (H1 2022: £38.8m), industrial & logistics land sales of £nil (H1 2022: £0.2m) and disposals of income-generating sites where value has been maximised through asset management initiatives of £52.2m (H1 2022: £nil), accelerating progress towards a 100% Grade A Investment Portfolio.

 

Cash proceeds from sales in the period were £58.2m (H1 2022: £33.7m) as shown in the table below: 

 

		H1 2023  £m	H1 2022  £m
Total property sales(1)		56.2	39.0
Less deferred consideration on sales in the period		(1.0)	(5.3)
Add receipt of deferred consideration from sales in prior years		3.0	-
Total cash proceeds		58.2	33.7

1. A full description and reconciliation of APMs is included in Note 2 to the condensed consolidated interim financial statements. 

 

Tax 

 

The income statement charge for taxation for the period was £1.6m (H1 2022: £19.7m), which comprised a current year tax charge of £0.3m (H1 2022: £3.9m) and a deferred tax charge of £1.3m (H1 2022: £15.8m).   

  

The current tax charge was low in the first half, primarily as a result of tax on investment property sales having been crystalised upon their transfer to AHFS in the prior year, coupled with administrative costs and interest offsetting trading profits during the period. The increase in deferred tax largely relates to unrealised gains on investment properties. The deferred tax balance has been calculated based on the rate expected to apply on the date the liability is reversed.   

  

At 30 June 2023, the Group had deferred tax liabilities of £29.6m (31 December 2022: £25.9m) and deferred tax assets of £4.1m (31 December 2022: £1.8m). The net deferred tax liability was £25.5m (31 December 2022: £24.1m).  

 

Basic earnings per share and dividends 

 

Basic earnings per share for the period decreased to 0.9p (H1 2022: 24.5p) reflecting the lower valuation gains on the land and property portfolio in H1 2023, compared to a significant valuation gain in H1 2022, as well as accelerated sales activity during H1 2022 to capitalise on the market conditions at the time.  

 

The Board has determined to pay an interim dividend of 0.444p (H1 2022: 0.404p) per share, an increase of 10% in line with the Group's policy.

  

Property categorisation 

 

Until sites receive planning permission and their future use has been determined, our view is that the land is held for a currently undetermined future use and should, therefore, be held as investment property. We categorise properties and land that have received planning permission, and where development with a view to sale has commenced, as development properties.    

  

As at 30 June 2023, the balance sheet value of all our development properties was £219.2m (31 December 2022: £205.0m) and their independent valuation by BNP Paribas was £249.7m, reflecting a £30.5m cumulative uplift in value since they were classified as development properties. In order to highlight the market value of development properties, and overages, and to be consistent with how we state our investment properties, we use EPRA NDV*, which includes the market value of development properties and overages less notional deferred tax, as our primary net assets metric.    

 

Net asset value 

		30 Jun 2023   £m	30 Jun 2022   £m	31 Dec 2022   £m
Properties(1)		700.3	800.0	695.4
Cash		8.5	38.4	11.6
Trade and other receivables		57.3	71.6	60.7
Other assets		14.2	5.7	11.8
Total assets		780.3	915.7	779.5
Gross borrowings		(72.1)	(106.2)	(60.0)
Deferred tax liability		(25.5)	(58.6)	(24.1)
Other liabilities		(79.6)	(95.8)	(92.7)
Statutory net assets		603.1	655.1	602.7
Mark to market value adjustment on development properties and overages less notional deferred tax(2)		28.1	69.7	31.2
EPRA NDV(2)		631.2	724.8	633.8
Number of shares in issue less Employee Benefit Trust & Equiniti Share Plan Trustees Limited-held shares		322,612,685	322,586,735	322,612,685
EPRA NDV per share(2)		195.7p	224.7p	196.5p

1. Properties include investment properties, development properties, AHFS, occupied properties and investment in joint ventures.  

2. A full description and reconciliation of the APMs in the above table is included in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements.  

 

EPRA NDV* at 30 June 2023 was £631.2m (31 December 2022: £633.8m), which includes the mark-to-market adjustment on the value of the development properties and overages. The total portfolio value as at 30 June 2023 was £737.8m, an increase of £1.0m from 31 December 2022. The Group's share of losses from joint ventures of £0.8m (H1 2022: £2.2m profit) resulted in investments in joint ventures decreasing to £29.1m (31 December 2022: £29.8m). Trade and other receivables include deferred consideration on sales as set out previously. At 30 June 2023, deferred consideration of £32.5m was outstanding (31 December 2022: £34.6m), of which 94% is due within one year.   

 

The table below sets out our top ten sites by value, which represent 48% of our total portfolio, split according to their categorisation:  

 

Site	Site type	Categorisation in Balance Sheet	Region	Progress to date
Benthall Grange, Ironbridge	Major Development	Investment	Midlands	1,000 residential units consented, land sold for 110 units
South East Coalville	Major Development	Development	Midlands	2,016 residential units consented, land sold for 771 units
Bardon	Investment Portfolio	Investment	Midlands	Units completed, with 57% of site by area let
Nufarm	Investment Portfolio	Investment	Yorkshire & Central	n/a
Ansty(1)	Strategic Land	Investment	Midlands	Proposed industrial & logistics site, planning not yet submitted
Waverley AMP	Investment Portfolio	Investment	Yorkshire & Central	2.1m sq. ft of industrial & logistics space consented, 1.6m sq. ft built or sold
Thoresby	Major Development	Development	Yorkshire & Central	800 residential units consented, land sold for 362 units
Waverley	Major Development	Development	Yorkshire & Central	3,038 residential units consented, land sold for 2,442 units
Knowsley	Investment Portfolio	Investment	North West	n/a
Wingates	Major Development	Development	North West	Up to 1.1m sq. ft of industrial & logistics space consented

1. Contracts have been conditionally exchanged for the sale of the site 

 

Financing strategy 

 

Harworth's financing strategy remains to be prudently geared. The Income Generation portfolio provides a recurring income source to service debt facilities and this is supplemented by proceeds from sales.  The Group has an established sales track record that has been built up since re-listing in 2015.

  

To deliver its strategic plan, the Group has adopted a target net loan to portfolio value* at year-end of below 20%, with a maximum of 25% in-year. As a principle, the Group will seek to maintain its cash flows in balance by funding the majority of infrastructure expenditure through disposal proceeds, while allowing for growth in the portfolio. 

 

The Group intends to continue to enter into development and infrastructure loans alongside its RCF to support its growth strategy. 

 

Debt facilities 

 

The Group has a £200m RCF, together with a £40m uncommitted accordion option, which was entered into in 2022. The RCF is provided by NatWest, Santander and HSBC and is aligned to the Group's strategy, providing significant liquidity and flexibility to enable us to pursue our strategic objectives. The interest rate on the RCF is based on a loan-to-value ratchet mechanism with a margin payable above SONIA in the range of 2.25% to 2.50%. The Group has no major refinancing requirements until 2027.

 

As part of its funding structure, the Group also uses infrastructure financing provided by public bodies and site-specific direct development loans to promote the development of major sites and bring forward the development of industrial & logistics units.  

  

The Group had borrowings and loans of £72.1m at 30 June 2023 (31 December 2022: £60.0m; 30 June 2022: £106.2m), being the RCF drawn balance (net of capitalised loan fees) of £43.7m (31 December 2022: £34.6m; 30 June 2022: £92.4m) and infrastructure or direct development loans (net of capitalised loan fees) of £28.4m (31 December 2022: £25.4m; 30 June 2022: £13.9m). The Group's cash balances at 30 June were £8.5m (31 December 2022: £11.6m; 30 June 2022: £38.4m). The resulting net debt was £63.7m (31 December 2022: £48.4m; 30 June 2022: £67.8m).    

 

Net debt* increased with property expenditure and acquisitions offset by the completion of serviced land and property sales. The movements in net debt over the period are shown below:  

	H1 2023   £m	H1 2022   £m
Opening net debt as at 1 January	(48.4)	(25.7)
Cash (outflow)/inflow from operations	(22.4)	3.2
Property expenditure and acquisitions	(28.8)	(31.2)
Disposal of investment property, AHFS and overages	50.5	0.1
Investments in joint ventures	-	(1.1)
Interest and loan arrangement fees	(2.1)	(4.0)
Dividends paid	(3.0)	(2.7)
Tax paid	(8.5)	(6.9)
Other cash and non-cash movements	(1.0)	0.5
Closing net debt as at 30 June	(63.7)	(67.8)

  

The weighted average cost of the Group's debt, using an end of month average 2023 balance and 30 June 2023 rates was 6.19% with a 0.9% non-utilisation fee on undrawn RCF amounts (31 December 2022: 5.52% with a 0.9% non-utilisation fee; 30 June 2022: 2.89% with a 0.9% non-utilisation fee). The weighted average term of drawn debt is now 2.9 years (31 December 2022: 3.2 years; 30 June 2022: 5 years).

   

The Group's hedging strategy to manage its exposure to interest rate risk is to hedge the lower of around half its average debt during the year or its net debt* balance at year-end. At 30 June 2023 30% (31 December 2022: 34%) of the Group's drawn debt, reflecting 35% of net debt (31 December 2022: 44%), was subject to fixed rate interest rates with no hedging instruments in place on the remaining floating rate debt. Projected drawn debt and hedging requirements remain under active review with any new hedging to be aligned to future net debt requirements. 

  

As at 30 June 2023, the Group's gross loan to portfolio value* was 9.8% (31 December 2022: 8.1%; 30 June 2022: 12.0%) and its net loan to portfolio value was 8.6% (31 December 2022: 6.6%; 30 June 2022: 7.6%). If gearing is assessed against the value of the core income portfolio (the Investment Portfolio and Natural Resources portfolio) only, this equates to a gross loan to core income generation portfolio value of 31.7% (31 December 2022: 26.1%; 30 June 2022: 35.9%) and a net loan to core income portfolio value of 28.0% (31 December 2022: 21.0%; 30 June 2022 22.9%). Under the RCF, the Group could withstand a material fall in portfolio value, property sales or rental income before reaching covenant levels.

  

At 30 June 2023, undrawn capacity under the RCF was £155.0m (31 December 2022: £164.0m; 30 June 2022: £106.0m). Going forwards, the RCF, alongside selected use of infrastructure loans where appropriate, will continue to provide the Group with sufficient liquidity to execute our growth strategy. 

 

Kitty Patmore 

Chief Financial Officer 

12 September 2023 

 

* Harworth discloses both statutory and alternative performance measures ('APMs'). A full description and reconciliation to the APMs is set out in Note 2 to the financial statements 

 

 

Appendix 1: Supplementary operational information

 

1.1  Main industrial & logistics sites (as at 30 June 2023)

 

Name	Location	Sold or developed (m sq. ft)	Consented or planned (m sq. ft)	Estimated GDV remaining to develop (£m)	Completion date
Advanced Manufacturing Park	Rotherham, South Yorkshire	1.6	2.1 consented	45 - 55	2027
Gateway 36	Barnsley, South Yorkshire	0.6	1.3 consented	70 - 80	2026
Chatterley Valley	Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire	-	1.2 consented	135 - 145	2027
Wingates	Bolton, Greater Manchester	-	1.0 consented	130 - 140	2028
North Yorkshire site	North Yorkshire	n/a	3.0 planned	300 - 350	2040
Junction 15, M1	Northampton, Northamptonshire	n/a	1.6 planned	200 - 220	2030
Rothwell	Rothwell, Northamptonshire	-	1.5 planned	190 - 210	2028
Gascoigne Wood	Sherburn-in-Elmet, North Yorkshire	-	1.5 planned	180 - 190	2028
Skelton Grange	Leeds, West Yorkshire	-	1.1 planned	150 - 160	2027

 

 

1.2  Main residential sites (as at 30 June 2023)

 

Name	Location	Sold (plots)	Consented or planned (plots)	Completion date
Waverley	Rotherham, South Yorkshire	2,442	3,038 consented	to 2025
South East Coalville	Coalville, Leicestershire	793	2,016 consented	to 2031
Simpson Park	Harworth, Nottinghamshire	628	1,615 consented	to 2027
Pheasant Hill Park	Doncaster, South Yorkshire	645	1,200 consented	to 2028
Benthall Grange, Ironbridge	Ironbridge, Shropshire	110	1,000 consented	to 2030
Moss Nook	St Helens, Merseyside	256	900 consented	to 2026
Thoresby Vale	Edwinstowe, Nottinghamshire	536	800 consented	to 2027
Huyton	Knowsley, Merseyside	n/a	1,500 planned	to 2033
Staveley	Staveley, Derbyshire	n/a	590 planned	to 2028

 

 

Principal risks and uncertainties

 

A detailed explanation of the Group's risk management framework, the principal risks and uncertainties affecting the Group and the steps it takes to mitigate these risks, can be found on pages 43 to 53 of the Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2022 (the "2022 Annual Report"), available at 

harworthgroup.com/investors.

 

The Board has assessed the principal and emerging risks facing the Group and considers that, save as outlined below, there have been no material changes to the risks set out in the 2022 Annual Report.

 

Availability of and competition for strategic sites

The Board has determined the status of this risk to have reduced to "medium" as uncertain market conditions have constrained the appetite of capital for long-term strategic sites moderating the level of competition for land. At the same time, our strong balance sheet enables us to continue to grow our strategic land portfolio, and during the first half of the year acquisitions added 1.1m sq. ft of industrial & logistics space and 700 housing plots to the pipeline.

 

Power infrastructure capacity

The Board identified a new principal risk reflecting the challenges in securing adequate power capacity for development sites creating uncertainty in the cost and programme for development. This new risk has a "medium" residual risk status, which is expected to reduce in the medium term should the connections application process change (currently under consultation by the National Grid). In the meantime, Harworth is focused on early engagement with Distribution Network Operators and National Grid, and entry into reservation commitments where necessary.

 

Development supply chain 

The previous "Supply chain cost inflation and constraints" risk has been expanded to incorporate all risks associated with management of the development supply chain. The Board recognised that cost inflation in the supply chain had been identified as a distinct principal risk to reflect a persistently high inflationary environment following the Covid pandemic, but with starts on site reducing through 2023 and supply chains beginning to normalise, this risk is starting to subside. At the same time the impact of rising interest rates on the cost of borrowing and a stalling economy are beginning to put pressure on the development supply chain. This new risk therefore combines supply chain counterparty risk, including the risk of insolvencies, as well as inflation risk and has a "medium" residual risk status. However, post the end of the half-year there have been insolvencies both in our supply chain and those of our end users, and we are aware of an increased prevalence of financial distress across the construction sector more generally. As such, this risk is trending higher and continues to be the subject of intensive scrutiny and management during the second half of the year.  

 

Counterparties: service providers

The previous "Supply chain and delivery partner management (counter-party risk)" has been revised to reflect the heightened risk of insolvencies amongst the Company's critical service providers beyond those in our development supply chain. This reframed risk has a "medium" residual risk status.

 

In addition to the changes outlined above, the Board is closely monitoring the "Planning", "Residential and Commercial markets" and "Availability of appropriate capital" principal risks, all of which may trend higher during the second half of the year. Planning remains challenging reflecting both policy and local authority resourcing headwinds, however Harworth continues to make progress through management actions and secured planning for 397 residential units and 0.3m sq. ft of industrial & logistics space during H1. Whilst economic headwinds continue and the cost of capital is increasing (though inflation appears to be slowly easing), Harworth's core markets of industrial & logistics and residential remain key drivers of economic growth, and the Group remains well capitalised with low balance sheet gearing. This strong financial position, coupled with the scale and mix of Harworth's portfolio, positions the Group well to mitigate and adapt to changes in the external environment. Given these factors, the Board is confident in the resilience of Harworth's business model and believes that existing mitigating actions remain appropriate as management focuses on what can be controlled within the business.

 

Directors' Responsibilities Statement

For the six months ended 30 June 2023

 

The Directors who held office at the date of approval of these Financial Statements confirm that to the best of their knowledge: 

  

1.     the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority and in accordance with IAS 34 'Interim Financial Reporting' as contained in UK-adopted international accounting standards; and 

 

2.     the Interim Management Report includes a fair review of the information required by: 

 

a.          Rule 4.2.7R of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, being an indication of important events that have occurred during the six months ended 30 June 2023 and their impact on the Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements, and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of the financial year; and 

 

b.          Rule 4.2.8R of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, being related party transactions that have taken place in the six months ended 30 June 2023 and that have materially affected the financial position or performance of the Group during that period, and any changes in the related party transactions described in the last Annual Report and Financial Statements that could do so. 

 

The Directors who served during the six months ended 30 June 2023 were as follows: 

  

Alastair Lyons	Chair
Lynda Shillaw	Chief Executive
Katerina Patmore	Chief Financial Officer
Angela Bromfield	Senior Independent Director
Ruth Cooke	Independent Non-Executive Director
Lisa Scenna	Independent Non-Executive Director
Patrick O'Donnell Bourke  Marzia Zafar	Independent Non-Executive Director  Independent Non-Executive Director
Steven Underwood	Non-Executive Director
Martyn Bowes	Non-Executive Director

  

By order of the Board 

  

Chris Birch 

General Counsel and Company Secretary 

12 September 2023

 

  

Cautionary statement 

 

This report for the six months ended 30 June 2023 contains certain forward-looking statements with respect to the Company's financial condition, results, operations and business. These statements and forecasts involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend upon circumstances that will occur in the future. There are factors that could cause actual results or developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements and forecasts. Nothing in this report should be construed as a profit forecast. 

 

Directors' liability 

 

Neither the Company nor the Directors accept any liability to any person in relation to this report for the six months ended 30 June 2023 except to the extent that such liability could arise under English law. Accordingly, any liability to a person who has demonstrated reliance on any untrue or misleading statement or omission shall be determined in accordance with section 90A of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. 

Shareholder Information 

 

Financial Calendar

 

Interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2023	Announced	12 September 2023
Interim dividend for the year ending 31 December 2023	Ex-dividend date  Record date  Payable	21 September 2023 22 September 2023  20 October 2023
Results for the year ending 31 December 2023	Announced	March 2024
Annual report and financial statements for the year ending 31 December 2023	Published	April 2024
2024 Annual General Meeting	Scheduled	May 2024
Final dividend for the year ending 31 December 2023	Payable	June 2024

 

Registrars

 

All administrative enquiries relating to shareholdings should, in the first instance, be directed to Equiniti, Aspect House, Spencer Road, Lancing, West Sussex, BN99 6DA (telephone: 0371 384 2301) and should state clearly the registered shareholder's name and address.

 

Dividend Mandate

 

Any shareholder wishing dividends to be paid directly into a bank or building society should contact the Registrars for a dividend mandate form. Dividends paid in this way will be paid through the Bankers' Automated Clearing System ("BACS").

 

Shareview service

 

The Shareview service from Equiniti allows shareholders to manage their shareholding online. It gives shareholders direct access to their data held on the share register, including recent share movements and dividend details and the ability to change their address or dividend payment instructions online.

 

To visit the Shareview website, go to www.shareview.co.uk. There is no charge to register but the 'shareholder reference' printed on proxy forms or dividend stationery will be required. 

 

Website

 

The Group's website (harworthgroup.com) gives further information on the Group. Detailed information for shareholders can be found at harworthgroup.com/investors.

 

Consolidated income statement

	Note	Unaudited 6 months ended 30 June 2023 £'000	Unaudited 6 months ended 30 June 2022 £'000	Audited Year ended 31 December 2022 £'000
Revenue	3	18,237	62,560	166,685
Cost of sales	3	(9,609)	(37,090)	(83,292)
Gross profit	3	8,628	25,470	83,393
Administrative expenses	3	(14,349)	(10,940)	(22,090)
Other gains/(losses)	3	13,774	85,402	(16,761)
Other operating expenses	3	(45)	(27)	(56)
Operating profit	3	8,008	99,905	44,486
Finance costs	4	(3,105)	(3,428)	(6,367)
Finance income	4	335	72	227
Share of (loss)/profit of joint ventures (including impairment)	9	(773)	2,236	(7,487)
Profit before tax		4,465	98,785	30,859
Tax charge	5	(1,618)	(19,681)	(3,021)
Profit for the period/year		2,847	79,104	27,838
Earnings per share from operations		pence	pence	pence
Basic	7	0.9	24.5	8.6
Diluted	7	0.9	24.2	8.5

 

The Notes 1 to 15 are an integral part of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

 

All activities are derived from continuing operations.

 

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

	Unaudited 6 months ended 30 June 2023 £'000	Unaudited 6 months ended 30 June 2022 £'000	Audited Year ended 31 December 2022 £'000
Profit for the period/year	2,847	79,104	27,838
Other comprehensive income/(expense) - items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss:
Net actuarial gain in Blenkinsopp Pension scheme	86	388	295
Revaluation of Group occupied property	(67)	(34)	(133)
Deferred tax on other comprehensive expense items	(22)	(127)	(101)
Other comprehensive income - items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:
Fair value of financial instruments	-	156	156
Total other comprehensive (expense)/income	(3)	383	217
Total comprehensive income for the period/year	2,844	79,487	28,055