ADVFN Logo ADVFN

We could not find any results for:
Make sure your spelling is correct or try broadening your search.

Trending Now

Toplists

It looks like you aren't logged in.
Click the button below to log in and view your recent history.

Hot Features

Registration Strip Icon for charts Register for streaming realtime charts, analysis tools, and prices.

CSP Countryside Partnerships Plc

229.80
0.00 (0.00%)
30 Apr 2024 - Closed
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Countryside Partnerships Plc LSE:CSP London Ordinary Share GB00BYPHNG03 ORD 1P
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  0.00 0.00% 229.80 227.00 227.60 0.00 01:00:00
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
0 0 N/A 0

Countryside Properties PLC Unaudited Half Year Results (8311M)

14/05/2020 7:00am

UK Regulatory


Countryside Partnerships (LSE:CSP)
Historical Stock Chart


From Apr 2019 to Apr 2024

Click Here for more Countryside Partnerships Charts.

TIDMCSP

RNS Number : 8311M

Countryside Properties PLC

14 May 2020

COUNTRYSIDE PROPERTIES PLC

Unaudited results for the half year ended 31 March 2020

14 May 2020

Resilience of mixed tenure model positions the business well

Countryside, a leading UK home builder and regeneration partner, today announces its unaudited results for the six months ended 31 March 2020.

Results highlights

 
                                      HY 2020      HY 2019      Change 
 Completions                            2,271        2,362         -4% 
 Adjusted revenue(1)                GBP530.9m    GBP563.7m         -6% 
 Adjusted operating profit(2)        GBP55.3m     GBP89.4m        -38% 
 Adjusted operating margin(3)           10.4%        15.9%     -550bps 
 Adjusted basic earnings per 
  share(4)                               9.1p        15.0p        -39% 
 Dividend per share                         -         6.0p       -100% 
 Return on capital employed(5)          25.8%        32.9%     -710bps 
 Group total forward order 
  book                              GBP1,506m    GBP1,037m        +45% 
 
 Reported revenue                   GBP481.2m    GBP507.0m         -5% 
 Reported operating profit           GBP41.0m     GBP60.2m        -32% 
 Net debt(6)                      GBP(127.7)m   GBP(42.1)m   -GBP85.6m 
 Basic earnings per share                8.1p        12.9p        -37% 
 

COVID-19

-- Solid trading performance from October to February with net reservation rate 31% ahead of the prior year

-- Closure of sites, factories and sales offices announced on 25 March with the safety of our employees, customers and the general public our highest priority

-- Lost completions and land sales in March impacted profit by c. GBP29m and increased net debt by c. GBP83m

   --      Phased resumption of site activity commenced on 11 May with new operating procedures 
   --      Liquidity underpinned by GBP300m RCF and access to CCFF if required 

-- Communities Fund of GBP1m established to support the most vulnerable members of our communities

-- Operationally and financially well positioned due to Partnerships model with greater proportion of Private Rental Sector ("PRS") and affordable homes

Trading performance

-- 139 active sites(7) (HY 2019: 140) at 31 March. 61 average open sales outlets (HY 2019: 57 sales outlets)

   --      Net reservation rate of 0.93 (HY 2019: 0.86) 
   --      Private Average Selling Price ("ASP") of GBP368k (HY 2019: GBP377k) 

-- 217 gross reservations, 146 net reservations in the six-week period to 10 May 2020 via remote viewings despite sales offices remaining closed, 38 private completions

-- Total forward order book of GBP1,506m up 45% (HY 2019: GBP1,037m), providing significant visibility

-- 6,695 additional plots secured during the first half, 4,965 in Partnerships, 1,730 in Housebuilding

   --      Achieved HBF five-star rating for customer satisfaction for the first time 

Financing, current trading and outlook

Countryside began a phased return to construction activity on 11 May 2020 following a decision to close sites on 25 March 2020. While private reservations have been at significantly lower levels in March and April, we have been encouraged by virtual interest from potential customers and our mixed-tenure business model positions us well with continued strong demand from partners for affordable and PRS homes.

We have worked through a comprehensive mobilisation strategy and each site will comply with the requirements of Public Health England advice, with a strict set of site operating guidelines in place. We have good engagement with our supply chain and continue to pay suppliers and service providers on normal terms. We have sufficient liquidity for the foreseeable future with our existing GBP300m revolving credit facility ("RCF") and a further GBP300m through our commercial paper programme to facilitate access to the COVID Corporate Financing Facility ("CCFF").

Commenting on the results, Iain McPherson, Group Chief Executive, said:

"The first half ended in a period of significant uncertainty for all of us. Our first priority was to protect our staff, customers, supply chain and the general public and we took the decision to temporarily suspend production on our sites and in our factories. The business had been performing well and our construction programmes were on track for full year delivery. We were proud to achieve HBF Five Star Builder status for the first time in the Group's history.

As we move into the second half of the year, we have cautiously restarted construction on around 80% of our sites albeit with significantly reduced build rates as we adjust to new ways of working. We welcome the revised guidance from Government allowing anyone looking to move home to be able to do so. Whilst the market outlook remains highly uncertain, our resilient mixed-tenure business model and strong forward order book benefit us both operationally and financially as we work alongside our partners to restart our operations as efficiently as possible."

Our half year results presentation will be webcast and available via conference call at 9.30am on Thursday 14 May followed by Q&A. Please register for the webcast at https://investors.countrysideproperties.com.

The conference call dial in details are:

Tel: + 44 20 3936 2999

PIN: 050598

Enquiries:

Countryside Properties PLC Tel: +44 (0) 1277 260 000

Iain McPherson - Group Chief Executive

Mike Scott - Group Chief Financial Officer

Victoria Prior - Managing Director, Corporate Affairs

Brunswick Group LLP Tel: +44 (0) 20 7404 5959

Nina Coad

Oliver Sherwood

Note to editors:

Countryside is the UK's leading mixed-tenure developer through its two divisions, Partnerships and Housebuilding.

Countryside's Partnerships division was established over 30 years ago, specialising in estate regeneration, with operations in London, the South East, the North West, the Midlands and Yorkshire. It works mainly on public sector owned and brownfield land, in partnership with local authorities and housing associations to develop private, affordable and PRS homes. It recently established an advanced modular panel manufacturing facility in Warrington to improve quality, reduce build times and directly manage supply to sites. Its developments include large scale urban regeneration projects at Beam Park, Rainham, Acton Gardens, Ealing and Rochester Riverside, Medway.

Countryside's Housebuilding division benefits from an industry leading strategic land bank which is focused around outer London and the Home Counties. It builds family homes, with a focus on placemaking and selling to local owner occupiers. Its developments include a number of large-scale projects including Beaulieu Park, Essex and Springhead Park, Ebbsfleet.

For further information, please visit the Group's website: www.countrysideproperties.com

Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements

Some of the information in this document may contain projections or other forward-looking statements regarding future events or the future financial performance of Countryside Properties PLC and its subsidiaries (the Group). You can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as "expect", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "intend", "will", "could", "may" or "might", the negative of such terms or other similar expressions. Countryside Properties PLC (the Company) wishes to caution you that these statements are only predictions and that actual events or results may differ materially. The Company does not intend to update these statements to reflect events and circumstances occurring after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Many factors could cause the actual results to differ materially from those contained in projections or forward-looking statements of the Group, including among others, general economic conditions, the competitive environment as well as many other risks specifically related to the Group and its operations. Past performance of the Group cannot be relied on as a guide to future performance.

"Countryside" or the "Group" refers to Countryside Properties PLC and its subsidiary companies.

(1) Adjusted revenue includes the Group ' s share of revenue from joint ventures and associate of GBP49.7m (HY 2019: GBP56.7m).

(2) Adjusted operating profit includes the Group's share of operating profit from joint ventures and associate of GBP9.0m (HY 2019: GBP17.7m) and excludes non-underlying items of GBP5.3m (HY 2019: GBP11.5m). Refer to Note 6.

(3) Adjusted operating margin is defined as adjusted operating profit divided by adjusted revenue.

(4) Adjusted basic earnings per share is defined as adjusted profit attributable to ordinary shareholders, net of attributable taxation, divided by the weighted average number of shares in issue for the period.

(5) Return on capital employed ("ROCE") is defined as adjusted operating profit for the last 12 months divided by the average of opening and closing tangible net operating asset value ("TNOAV") for the 12-month period. TNOAV is calculated as net assets excluding net cash or debt less intangible assets net of deferred tax.

(6) Net debt is defined as bank borrowings less unrestricted cash. Unamortised debt arrangement fees and lease obligations are not included in net debt.

(7) An active site is a site where construction has commenced. An open selling outlet is an active site on which the Group is selling homes.

The Directors believe that the use of adjusted measures is necessary to understand the underlying trading performance of the Group.

COVID-19 - Summary of Impact on our Results

The impact on our results

The timing of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting restrictions on movement and uncertainty meant that our half year results were significantly impacted. Revenue and profit were both lower than they otherwise would have been as a significant number of private completions due for the end of March did not take place as planned and land sales were postponed. We have estimated the impact of these items on adjusted operating profit and cashflow below.

We took the decision to close our sales offices, construction sites, factories and regional offices on 25 March 2020 following government and Public Health England guidance as it became difficult to maintain adequate social distancing without adjustments being made to the workplaces.

We estimate that around 184 completions, including 79 private completions, were lost, which alongside the lower levels of construction activity in March and the cancellation of five land sales by the counter-parties resulted in lost revenue of around GBP116m and associated lost operating profit of around GBP29m, on an adjusted basis.

Our priorities

Our priority through this period has been to focus on the safety and wellbeing of our employees, customers, supply chain and other partners. We have ensured that we have maintained good communication with our employees during what has been an uncertain time for them and their families and we took the decision to maintain pay and benefits for all staff to ensure that they were in the best possible position to resume work when required. Our contingency planning was activated smoothly, allowing our office-based employees to make the transition to homeworking and continue with minimal disruption during the initial lockdown phase. The level of commitment that we have seen from our employees is a real testament to the quality and professionalism of the people we have working for Countryside.

The crisis is impacting the communities in which we operate. We have established a GBP1m Communities Fund, targeted at helping vulnerable local people, including supporting local food banks and community groups. We also announced that the Board and Executive Committee were reducing their salaries by 20% for two months from April, with these funds being added to the Communities Fund. We have already made good progress in allocating these funds and are working with partners to ensure the most vulnerable people in our communities get help when they need it.

Measures we have taken to manage liquidity

Following the decision to cease construction activity on 25 March 2020, we took a number of steps to conserve cash in the business. This included negotiating deferrals to payments for land and taxation where possible and minimising all other spend across the business. We have chosen not to claim employee costs under the government's Job Retention Scheme, as we do not believe these employees would otherwise have been made redundant in the near future. All staff who were furloughed by the business have therefore been given full paid leave for the period of their absence and all staff are expected to return to the business during May.

We are also seeking to renegotiate a number of contracts, both for the purchase of land and some of our longer-term Partnerships development agreements to defer land payments and provide additional protection against falls in house prices.

As previously reported, we fully drew down on our GBP300m revolving credit facility in mid-March. On 28 April 2020, our eligibility to access the Bank of England COVID Corporate Financing Facility ("CCFF") was confirmed, and we have put in place a GBP300m commercial paper facility to access the CCFF should it be required. We have also agreed a relaxation of the Group's banking covenants until September 2022 to ensure that we are able remain compliant in any plausible but severe downside scenario. As a result of the additional financing and the conservation measures taken above, we are confident that we have enough liquidity in the business for the foreseeable future, having considered a range of downside scenarios.

Countryside Ground Rent Assistance Scheme

We recognise that our customers are also going through a period of increased uncertainty and we are doing all we can to help them. In order to further Countryside's commitment as a signatory to the Government's Leasehold Pledge, we have now created the Countryside Ground Rent Assistance Scheme and will seek agreement from freehold owners to vary the leaseholds of Countryside customers who still own homes with a leasehold ground rent that doubles more frequently than every 20 years, to be linked instead to the rate of RPI and reviewed every 15 years . The Scheme is in the early stages of its development and the associated cost of the Scheme is provisionally estimated to be up to GBP10m. An appropriate provision for these costs will be made in the second half of the year.

Looking through the crisis

The impact of COVID-19 on consumer behaviour remains to be seen, particularly given the use of the Job Retention Scheme by large numbers of companies which has allowed employees to remain employed with at least 80% of their wages intact up to a cap of GBP2,500 a month. The structural undersupply of homes in the UK has not diminished but the availability of mortgages and valuation of properties will no doubt take some time to return to pre-pandemic levels. Whilst we have continued to take reservations during the lockdown period at pricing in line with pre-pandemic levels, the impact of the pandemic on future prices or sales rates remains unknown.

We commenced a phased restart of operations on around 80% of our sites from 11 May 2020. We have developed a new set of Standard Operating Procedures based on guidance from the Construction Leadership Council, which are designed to allow the safe operation of sites whilst complying with government and Public Health England guidance on social distancing. Measures we have taken include the provision of additional site welfare facilities, car parking and the introduction of Site Compliance Officers to ensure our procedures are adhered to. We have similar operating guidance in place for our factories in Leicester and Warrington.

We have adapted our business model to take into account the fact that life will not return to 'normal' for some time. We have increased our online presence with both new and existing customers which included conducting customer visits by video conference, as well as a number of virtual home tours. In the six-week period to 10 May 2020, these helped us achieve 217 new gross reservations.

Our modular panel factory has recommenced operations and provides us with significant advantages. We have greater security of material supplies, there are fewer people required on site with this build methodology making it easier to adhere to social distancing, and the increased build speed allows us to restart operations and deliver homes more quickly than traditional methods. Whilst we do not underestimate the short-term impact of this crisis on our sector, it is important that we continue to plan for the future and we are progressing our plans for a second, larger modular panel factory during 2021.

In addition, our mixed tenure business model remains robust and provides us with a degree of resilience with only around 40% of our business reliant on the private for sale market. As we recommence construction activity, we will initially focus on homes where customers have already exchanged as well as the construction of affordable and PRS homes which will allow us to generate profits and cash flow more quickly.

We continue to have a strong pipeline of work with an order book of GBP1.5bn as at 31 March 2020 of which GBP1,074m relates to Affordable and PRS sales and GBP432m to private sales. We continue to have significant growth opportunities through our existing regional businesses as they grow to scale and we will leverage our relationships with local authorities and registered providers to underpin this growth.

Group results for the six months ended 31 March 2020

Completions

Total completions fell by 4% to 2,271 homes (HY 2019: 2,362 homes), as a result of losing around 184 completions at the end of March and the weighting of our construction programmes to H2 this year.

Private completions were 8% lower than last year at 753 (HY 2019: 816 homes). Affordable completions were broadly flat at 941 homes (HY 2019: 938 homes) and PRS completions 5% lower at 577 homes (HY 2019: 608 homes). The overall tenure mix was broadly consistent with the prior year, with one third of homes being private for sale and the remaining two thirds a blend of Affordable and PRS.

Revenue

Total adjusted revenue decreased by 6% to GBP530.9m (HY 2019: GBP563.7m). On a reported basis, revenue decreased by 5% to GBP481.2m (HY 2019: GBP507.0m).

Private average selling price ("ASP") reduced by 2% to GBP368,000 (HY 2019: GBP377,000) which reflected the broad trend in house prices that we saw across the half, with house price inflation ("HPI") running at (2.3)% (HY 2019: broadly flat). Prior to ceasing site activity, build cost inflation was running at around 1%, lower than the prior year (HY 2019: 3%). We remain focused on driving efficiency in build costs, particularly through the roll-out of our modular panel product which enhances margins by up to 2% on the developments on which it is used.

In line with previous years, around half of our sales were to first time buyers (HY 2019: 46%), the majority of whom come from the local areas around our developments. Help to Buy usage also remained stable at 52% of private sales (HY 2019: 48%), or 17% of total completions.

Affordable ASP, at GBP155,000, increased 5% (HY 2019: GBP148,000) with PRS ASP increasing by 10% to GBP144,000 (HY 2019: GBP131,000) driven mainly by site mix and a small number of PRS completions in Housebuilding where ASPs were higher.

Our net private reservation rate per open sales outlet per week remained strong throughout H1 at 0.93 (HY 2019: 0.86), particularly following the General Election in December 2019. Our open sales outlets increased by 15% to 69 (HY 2019: 60) with total active sites down fractionally to 139 (H1 2019: 140). Our total forward order book was up 45% to GBP1,506m (HY 2019: GBP1,037m) which includes our private forward order book up 49% at GBP432.2m (HY 2019: GBP290.6m) as the year has again been skewed to second half completions.

Operating profit and margin

Given the timing of the UK lockdown and cessation of site activity, adjusted operating profit decreased by 38% to GBP55.3m (HY 2019: GBP89.4m) as 184 completions were lost along with five land sales at the end of March. On a reported basis, operating profit decreased by 32% to GBP41.0m (HY 2019: GBP60.2m). The difference between adjusted and reported results reflects the proportional consolidation of our joint ventures and associate (see Notes 11 and 12) and non-underlying items. Overall, adjusted operating margin decreased by 550bps to 10.4% (HY 2019: 15.9%). This was due to the impact of negative house price inflation of (2.3)% and a number of land sales not being completed at the end of the first half which are typically made at above-average margins.

Non-underlying items

Non-underlying items of GBP5.3m primarily relate to the amortisation of acquired intangibles in the current year (HY 2019: GBP11.5m; including amortisation of acquired intangibles and the costs associated with the acquisition of Westleigh (GBP4.1m), along with a one-off non-cash inventory impairment charge of GBP7.4m).

ROCE

Driven by increased investment in working capital and lower adjusted operating margin, Group ROCE was 25.8%, down 710bps ( HY 2019: 32.9%), with asset turn falling slightly to 1.8 times (HY 2019: 2.0 times).

Assets and liabilities

Inventories increased by GBP232.8m to GBP1,041.4m (FY 2019: GBP808.6m) during the period. This was driven by our continued investment in work in progress to enable the Group's growth plans and intended second half delivery, and the impact of delayed completions due to the timing of the UK lockdown. Trade and other payables increased by GBP53.6m to GBP506.2m (FY 2019: GBP452.6m) primarily due to an increase in deferred land payments as we acquired a number of developments for our Housebuilding division in the period, which also contributed to the increase in inventories.

The Group's investment in joint ventures reduced to GBP38.3m (FY 2019: GBP62.2m) as a result of dividends received in the period exceeding the profit generated by the joint ventures.

The adoption of IFRS 16 "Leases" for the first time in the period had a minimal impact on Tangible Net Asset Value ("TNAV") of GBP0.3m as at 31 March 2020. The recognition of GBP29.8m of right of use assets and GBP31.5m of lease liabilities reduced TNAV by GBP1.7m, which was largely offset by the derecognition of other working capital balances of GBP1.4m.

Net debt

Given the growth of the business and second half weighting of completions, net debt had been forecast to increase in the first half through our continued investment in work in progress. The combined impact of lost completions and cancelled land sales referred to above contributed GBP83m to net debt in the first half. As a result, the Group had net debt at 31 March 2020 of GBP127.7m ( HY 2019: GBP42.1m). This resulted in gearing(1) of 14.4% (HY 2019: 5.2%) and adjusted gearing(2) of 38.9% (HY 2019: 20.0%).

Net finance costs were GBP6.2m (HY 2019: GBP6.5m), with the reduction mainly driven by a lower charge for the interest unwind on discounted land creditors, offset by the finance lease expense resulting from the adoption of IFRS 16. Interest on bank debt was broadly flat at GBP1.9m (HY 2019: GBP2.1m).

Taxation

The effective tax rate applied to adjusted profit for the period was 17.3% (HY 2019: 19.3%). This reflects the anticipated full year effective rate and is lower than the UK headline rate of 19.0% due to credits arising on the exercise of share options. On a reported basis, the effective tax rate was 16.7% (HY 2019: 18.2%), the difference to the adjusted effective tax rate being the impact of the Group's joint ventures and associate and non-underlying items.

Earnings per share

Adjusted basic earnings per share were 9.1 pence (HY 2019: 15.0 pence), reflecting the reduction in adjusted earnings in the period. On a statutory basis, basic earnings per share were 8.1 pence (HY 2019: 12.9 pence).

Dividend

As announced on 25 March 2020, given the uncertainty surrounding the remainder of our financial year, the Board suspended the payment of an interim dividend (HY 2019: 6.0 pence per share). The Group's dividend policy will be reviewed prior to the announcement of our final results in November 2020.

1 Gearing is defined as net debt divided by net assets.

2 Adjusted gearing is defined as above, except that net debt includes land creditors.

Partnerships

 
                         HY 2020     HY 2019      Change 
 
 Completions               1,791       1,889         -5% 
 Adjusted revenue      GBP343.8m   GBP342.4m           - 
 Adjusted operating 
  profit                GBP36.3m    GBP45.7m        -21% 
 Adjusted margin           10.6%       13.3%     -270bps 
 ROCE                      47.1%       66.7%   -1,960bps 
 Land bank (plots)        37,734      36,132         +4% 
 Reported revenue      GBP324.0m   GBP329.1m         -2% 
 Reported operating 
  profit                GBP32.5m    GBP31.3m         +4% 
 Reported margin           10.0%        9.5%      +50bps 
 

Completions

The reduction in total completions was driven by lost business in the second half of March due to the UK lockdown and cessation of site activity. Private completions were 6% lower at 462 homes (HY 2019: 489 homes) with both Affordable and PRS completions down 5% at 763 homes and 566 homes respectively (HY 2019: 806 homes and 594 homes).

Revenue

Private ASP increased 3% to GBP297,000 (HY 2019: GBP288,000) reflecting slightly stronger house price inflation in the Midlands and North along with geographical site mix. Affordable ASP was up 8% to GBP152,000 (HY 2019: GBP141,000) reflecting slightly firmer pricing and the run-off of legacy Westleigh contracts, whilst PRS ASP was up 12% to GBP141,000 (HY 2019: GBP126,000). Along with the overall reduction in volume, this led to adjusted revenue broadly flat at GBP343.8m (HY 2019: GBP342.4m). Reported revenue of GBP324.0m was also broadly flat on the prior year (HY 2019: GBP329.1m).

Operating profit and margin

Adjusted operating margin reduced by 270bps in the half to 10.6% (HY 2019: 13.3%) with some impact from negative house price inflation from homes reserved prior to the General Election in December 2019 and overall site mix between our northern and southern regions. In addition, the first half last year benefitted from operational efficiency and overage savings which were not repeated this year. Adjusted operating profit of GBP36.3m (HY 2019: GBP45.7m) was down 21% in the period as a consequence of the lost completions at the end of the half and the lower operating margin. On a reported basis, excluding the contribution from the Acton Gardens joint venture which had lower profits in the half, our operating profit increased by 4% to GBP32.5m (HY 2019: GBP31.3m). Our operating margin increased to 10.0% (HY 2019: 9.5%).

ROCE

The lower operating margin, combined with the additional investment for the second half weighted delivery, reduced return on capital employed ("ROCE") to 47.1% (HY 2019: 66.7%). Asset turn fell to 3.3 times as revenue in the half was lower than expected (HY 2019: 4.5 times).

Visibility of future work

We had another successful six months in winning new business, to support our longer-term growth plans. We secured 5,450 new plots in the period, including 700 homes in Salford, Greater Manchester and 600 homes in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. In addition, we were successful in our first public ballot at the Cambridge Road Estate, Kingston Upon Thames, a large regeneration development with 2,170 plots. We now have 37,734 Partnerships plots under our control and a future bid pipeline of over 95,000 plots.

At 31 March 2020, we had 38 open selling outlets with a further 59 sites under construction (HY 2019: 31 and 73 respectively).

Housebuilding

 
                         HY 2020     HY 2019      Change 
 
 Completions                 480         473         +1% 
 Adjusted revenue      GBP187.1m   GBP221.3m        -15% 
 Adjusted operating 
  profit                GBP20.6m    GBP48.1m        -57% 
 Adjusted margin           11.0%       21.7%   -1,070bps 
 ROCE                      16.6%       23.8%     -720bps 
 Land bank (plots)        25,607      21,284        +20% 
 Reported revenue      GBP157.2m   GBP177.9m        -12% 
 Reported operating 
  profit                GBP15.4m    GBP37.4m        -59% 
 Reported margin            9.8%       21.0%   -1,120bps 
 

Completions

Total completions were broadly flat at 480 homes (HY 2019: 473 homes) reflecting a planned strong second half weighting to the year, prior to the impact of COVID-19. Total private completions of 291 homes were down 11% (HY 2019: 327), mainly driven by the timing of the UK lockdown and cessation of site operations. Affordable completions were up 35% in the period to 178 homes (HY 2019: 132 homes) reflecting a more normal level of production after a lower level in the comparable period and we sold a further 11 PRS homes in the half (HY 2019: 14 homes).

Revenue

Private ASP was down 6% at GBP481,000 (HY 2019: GBP510,000) reflecting changes in product mix to lower price points and negative HPI of (2.8)% in the half. Pricing has been firmer since the General Election in December 2019 with HPI in the order book of between flat and 1%. Affordable ASP was 10% lower at GBP169,000 (HY 2019: GBP188,000) reflecting site mix. Private sales made up a lower proportion of total completions in the half which, combined with the reduction in private ASP, led to adjusted revenue down 15% to GBP187.1m (HY 2019: GBP221.3m).

Operating profit and margin

Adjusted operating profit was significantly impacted in the half by the UK lockdown which resulted in around 90 fewer completions than planned and the withdrawal of counterparties from five land deals due to be completed in March. Together, these resulted in the loss of around GBP25m of operating profit, with the out-turn of GBP20.6m down 57% on the prior year against an unusually strong comparative (HY 2019: GBP48.1m). Land sale profits in the half were less than GBP1m (HY 2019: GBP5.8m). Adjusted operating margin of 11.0% was down 1,070bps on the prior period's strong comparative (HY 2019: 21.7%) as a result of the loss of the land sales, negative house price inflation on private completions and a strong comparative margin achieved in 2019. On a reported basis, operating profit decreased by 59% to GBP15.4m (HY 2019: GBP37.4m) and operating margin decreased by 1,120bps to 9.8% (HY 2019: 21.0%).

ROCE

ROCE was down 720bps at 16.6% (HY 2019: 23.8%), driven mainly by lower operating margins with asset turn at 1.1 times broadly in line with the prior year (HY 2019: 1.2 times).

Visibility of future work

We have grown the land bank in our Housebuilding division and acquired six sites totalling 1,730 plots during the period. The Housebuilding land bank now stands at 25,607 plots (HY 2019: 21,284 plots) of which only 23% is owned and the remainder either controlled by option agreements or under conditional contracts. 79% has been sourced strategically.

At 31 March 2020, we had 31 open selling outlets with a further 11 sites under construction (HY 2019: 29 and 7 respectively).

Board change

As announced in November 2019, Ian Sutcliffe stepped down as Group Chief Executive and from the Board on 31 December 2019 and retired from the Group on 31 March 2020. He developed the Group's mixed tenure business model, successfully guiding the Company through its IPO in February 2016, and consistently delivered strong, profitable growth and returns, leaving the Group well positioned for the future. The Board wishes Ian well for the future.

Financing, current trading and outlook

Countryside began a phased return to construction activity on 11 May 2020 following a decision to temporarily close sites on 25 March 2020. We are working with our partners to review our plans for the remainder of the year and we continue to assess to the best of our ability the likely full impact of COVID-19 on the private sales market in particular. While private reservations have been at significantly lower levels in March and April, we have been encouraged by continued virtual interest from potential customers and our mixed-tenure business model positions us well with continued strong demand from partners for Affordable and PRS homes. We have sufficient liquidity for the foreseeable future with our existing GBP300m revolving credit facility and a further GBP300m through our commercial paper programme to facilitate access to the COVID Corporate Financing Facility.

Iain McPherson

Group Chief Executive

14 May 2020

Principal risks and uncertainties

The Group's principal risks and a summary of the mitigating actions for each are listed below. They are monitored by the Risk Management Committee, the Audit Committee and the Board.

Coronavirus, COVID-19

The defining event of the first six months of this financial year has been the impact of COVID-19. It is a global crisis that has led the Group to invoke its business continuity procedures to manage the immediate impact of the incident. The actions taken so far to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the Group, its employees, customers and other principal stakeholders have included:

-- Furloughing 67% of all employees from 1 April 2020. All employees continued to receive full pay and the Group currently does not intend to make a claim under the government's Job Retention Scheme;

-- Implementing arrangements so that all staff who can work from home do so, in accordance with the Government's 'stay at home, protect the NHS, save lives' objectives;

-- Maintaining regular communications with all key stakeholders during the temporary closure of all sites whilst appropriate remobilisation measures were planned and implemented;

-- Creating a GBP1m fund to help support the most vulnerable in the communities in which we operate;

-- Putting in place a GBP300m commercial paper facility to access the Government's COVID Corporate Financing Facility, fully drawing down on our GBP300m revolving credit facility and agreeing an 18-month relaxation of the Group's banking covenants to enable compliance through any plausible but severe downside scenario; and

-- Preparing and implementing a comprehensive re-mobilisation plan for a return to our sites and factories from 11 May 2020. Such arrangements have been carefully planned to ensure that suitable arrangements are in place to ensure social distancing in according with Public Health England requirements.

Beyond the immediate impact of COVID-19, forecasters warn of recession in the UK and global economies. On 7 May 2020, the Bank of England warned that the coronavirus pandemic will push the UK economy "towards its deepest recession on record" and that COVID-19 was "dramatically reducing jobs and incomes in the UK". Principal risks 2, 4, 5 and 7 listed below would be exacerbated by such a recession and its impact on jobs and incomes.

Withdrawal from the EU

Having left the EU on 31 January 2020, the UK and EU have commenced a 'transition period' during which the UK and EU will attempt to agree suitable trading arrangements. The UK Government has said the transition period will cease at the end of 2020. The Group's principal risks and uncertainties take into account the potential for the UK and EU to not reach agreement on future trading arrangements. This may lead to a period of reduced consumer confidence and potentially exacerbate many of the principal risks, but particularly risks 2, 3, 4 and 7.

 
Risk   Description                               Mitigation 
1        Infectious diseases of epidemic         Maintenance of a strong balance 
          or pandemic potential                   sheet able to withstand a sustained 
          The spread of an infectious disease     period of complete or partial 
          on an epidemic or pandemic scale        cessation of business of activity. 
          can lead to the imposition of           Maintenance and regular testing 
          Government controls on the movement     of business continuity and disaster 
          of people with the associated           recovery plans, supported by 
          cessation of large parts of the         investment in information technology 
          economy for a significant period        to enable robust home-working 
          of time. The cessation of business      facilities. 
          can lead to zero or reduced revenues 
          until business activity can be 
          safely recommenced. 
      ----------------------------------------  ---------------------------------------- 
2      Adverse macro-economic conditions         Funds are allocated between the 
        A decline in macroeconomic conditions,    Housebuilding and Partnerships 
        or conditions in the UK residential       businesses. In Housebuilding, 
        property market, can reduce the           land is purchased based on planning 
        propensity to buy homes. Higher           prospects, forecast demand and 
        unemployment, interest rates              market resilience. In Partnerships, 
        and inflation can affect consumer         contracts are phased and, where 
        confidence and reduce demand              possible, subject to viability 
        for new homes. Constraints on             testing. In all cases, forward 
        mortgage availability, or higher          sales, cash flow and work in 
        costs of mortgage funding, may            progress are carefully monitored 
        make it more difficult to sell            to give the Group time to react 
        homes.                                    to changing market conditions. 
      ----------------------------------------  ---------------------------------------- 
3      Adverse changes to Government             The potential impact of changes 
        policy and regulation                     in Government policy and new 
        Adverse changes to Government             laws and regulations are monitored 
        policy in areas such as tax,              and communicated throughout the 
        housing, and environmental and            business. Detailed policies and 
        building regulations may result           procedures are in place to address 
        in increased costs and/or delays.         the prevailing regulations. 
        Failure to comply with laws and 
        regulations could expose the 
        Group to penalties and reputational 
        damage. 
      ----------------------------------------  ---------------------------------------- 
4      Constraints on construction resources     Optimise use of standard house 
        Costs may increase beyond budget          types and design to maximise 
        due to the reduced availability           buying power. Use of strategic 
        of skilled labour, or shortages           suppliers to leverage volume 
        of sub-contractors or building            price reductions and minimise 
        materials at competitive prices           unforeseen disruption. Robust 
        to support the Group's growth             contract terms to control costs. 
        ambitions. The Group's strategic 
        geographic expansion may be at 
        risk if new supply chains cannot 
        be established. 
      ----------------------------------------  ---------------------------------------- 
5      Programme delay (rising project           The budgeted programme for each 
        complexity)                               site is approved by the Regional 
        Failure to secure timely planning         Board before acquisition. Sites 
        permission on economically viable         are managed as a portfolio to 
        terms or poor project forecasting,        control overall Group delivery 
        unforeseen operational delays             risk. Weekly monitoring at both 
        due to technical issues, disputes         divisional and Group level. 
        with third party contractors 
        or suppliers, bad weather or 
        changes in purchaser requirements 
        may cause delay or potential 
        termination of project. 
      ----------------------------------------  ---------------------------------------- 
6      Inability to source and develop           A robust land appraisal process 
        suitable land                             ensures each project is financially 
        Competition or poor planning              viable and consistent with the 
        may result in a failure to procure        Group's strategy. 
        land in the right location, at 
        the right price and at the right 
        time. 
      ----------------------------------------  ---------------------------------------- 
7      Inability to attract and retain           Remuneration packages are regularly 
        talented employees                        benchmarked against industry 
        Inability to attract and retain           standards to ensure competitiveness. 
        highly-skilled, competent people          Succession plans are in place 
        at all levels could adversely             for all key roles within the 
        affect the Group's results, prospects     Group. Exit interviews are used 
        and financial condition.                  to identify any areas for improvement. 
      ----------------------------------------  ---------------------------------------- 
8      Inadequate Health, Safety and             Procedures, training and reporting 
        Environmental procedures                  are all carefully monitored to 
        A deterioration in the Group's            ensure that high standards are 
        Health, Safety & Environmental            maintained. Additional social 
        standards, including additional           distancing measures will be put 
        measures put in place to comply           in place in all workplaces to 
        with Public Health England guidance       comply with Public Health England 
        on social distancing, could put           social distancing guidelines. 
        the Group's employees, contractors        An environmental risk assessment 
        or the general public at risk             is carried out prior to any land 
        of injury or death and could              acquisition. Appropriate insurance 
        lead to litigation or penalties           is in place to cover the risks 
        or damage the Group's reputation.         associated with housebuilding. 
      ----------------------------------------  ---------------------------------------- 
 

COUNTRYSIDE PROPERTIES PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

For the six months ended 31 March 2020

 
                                            Six months    Six months      Year ended 
                                              ended 31      ended 31    30 September 
                                            March 2020    March 2019            2019 
                                             Unaudited     Unaudited         Audited 
 
                                    Note          GBPm          GBPm            GBPm 
                                          ------------  ------------  -------------- 
 
 Revenue                            4, 5         481.2         507.0         1,237.1 
 Cost of sales                                 (401.6)       (407.0)         (983.5) 
                                          ------------  ------------  -------------- 
 Gross profit                                     79.6         100.0           253.6 
 Administrative expenses                        (38.6)        (39.8)          (83.2) 
                                          ------------  ------------  -------------- 
 Operating profit                    4            41.0          60.2           170.4 
 
 Analysed as: 
 Adjusted operating profit                        55.3          89.4           234.4 
 Less: Share of joint ventures 
  and associate operating profit                 (9.0)        (17.7)          (46.8) 
 Less: Non-underlying items          6           (5.3)        (11.5)          (17.2) 
                                          ------------  ------------  -------------- 
 Operating profit                                 41.0          60.2           170.4 
---------------------------------  -----  ------------  ------------  -------------- 
 
 Finance costs                       7           (6.5)         (7.4)          (11.9) 
 Finance income                      7             0.3           0.9             1.0 
 Share of post-tax profit from 
  joint ventures and associate 
  accounted for using the equity 
  method                                           8.9          16.6            44.1 
                                          ------------  ------------  -------------- 
 Profit before income tax                         43.7          70.3           203.6 
 Income tax expense                  8           (7.3)        (12.8)          (35.2) 
                                          ------------  ------------  -------------- 
 Profit and total comprehensive 
  income for the period                           36.4          57.5           168.4 
                                          ------------  ------------  -------------- 
 
 Profit and total comprehensive 
  income is attributable to: 
   Owners of the parent                           36.4          57.1           167.7 
   Non-controlling interest                          -           0.4             0.7 
                                          ------------  ------------  -------------- 
                                                  36.4          57.5           168.4 
                                          ------------  ------------  -------------- 
 Earnings per share (expressed 
  in pence per share): 
 Basic                               9             8.1          12.9            37.7 
 Diluted                             9             8.1          12.8            37.3 
 
 

Revenue and operating profit arise from the Group's continuing operations. There were no items of other comprehensive income during the period ( HY19: GBPNil, FY19: GBPNil).

COUNTRYSIDE PROPERTIES PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

As at 31 March 2020

 
                                                      As at       As at     As at 30 
                                                   31 March    31 March    September 
                                                       2020        2019         2019 
                                                  Unaudited   Unaudited      Audited 
                                           Note        GBPm        GBPm         GBPm 
 Assets 
 Non-current assets 
 Intangible assets                                    165.8       175.2        170.9 
 Property, plant and equipment                         15.4        10.0         12.8 
 Right of use assets                        21         29.8           -            - 
 Investment in joint ventures               11         38.3        46.7         62.2 
 Investment in associate                    12          3.6         4.8          3.5 
 Financial assets at fair value 
  through profit or loss                    13            -         4.1            - 
 Deferred tax assets                                    4.5         8.9          5.3 
 Trade and other receivables                           18.3        15.0         15.2 
                                                      275.7       264.7        269.9 
 Current assets 
 Inventories                                14      1,041.4       779.9        808.6 
 Financial assets at fair value 
  through profit or loss                    13            -           -          5.0 
 Trade and other receivables                          234.2       234.6        232.8 
 Current income tax receivables                        13.6           -            - 
 Cash and cash equivalents                  15        172.2        13.2         75.6 
                                                    1,461.4     1,027.7      1,122.0 
 
 Total assets                                       1,737.1     1,292.4      1,391.9 
                                                 ----------  ----------  ----------- 
 
 Liabilities 
 Current liabilities 
 Overdrafts                                 15            -      (13.1)            - 
 Trade and other payables                   16      (367.4)     (303.8)      (322.6) 
 Lease liabilities                          21        (4.8)           -            - 
 Current income tax liabilities                           -      (13.3)       (24.7) 
 Provisions                                           (0.7)       (3.5)        (1.8) 
                                                    (372.9)     (333.7)      (349.1) 
 Non-current liabilities 
 Borrowings                                 15      (298.2)      (39.9)        (2.2) 
 Trade and other payables                   16      (138.8)      (93.6)      (130.0) 
 Lease liabilities                          21       (26.7)           -            - 
 Deferred tax liabilities                            (10.4)      (11.9)       (10.9) 
 Provisions                                           (0.7)       (0.6)        (0.6) 
                                                    (474.8)     (146.0)      (143.7) 
 
 Total liabilities                                  (847.7)     (479.7)      (492.8) 
 
 Net assets                                           889.4       812.7        899.1 
                                                 ==========  ==========  =========== 
 
 Equity 
 Share capital                                          4.5         4.5          4.5 
 Retained Earnings                                    882.6       806.2        892.3 
 Equity attributable to owners 
  of the parent                                       887.1       810.7        896.8 
 Equity attributable to non-controlling 
  interest                                              2.3         2.0          2.3 
                                                 ----------  ----------  ----------- 
 Total equity                                         889.4       812.7        899.1 
                                                 ==========  ==========  =========== 
 

COUNTRYSIDE PROPERTIES PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (UNAUDITED)

For the six months ended 31 March 2020

 
                                      Share    Retained          Equity   Non-controlling     Total 
                                    capital    earnings    attributable          interest    equity 
                                                              to owners 
                                                                 of the 
                                                                 parent 
                                       GBPm        GBPm            GBPm              GBPm      GBPm 
                              -------------  ----------  --------------  ----------------  -------- 
 
 At 30 September 2019                   4.5       892.3           896.8               2.3     899.1 
 
 Comprehensive income 
 Profit for the period                    -        36.4            36.4                 -      36.4 
 Total comprehensive income             4.5       928.7           933.2               2.3     935.5 
 
 Transactions with owners 
 Share based payments, net 
  of 
  deferred tax                            -         0.1             0.1                 -       0.1 
 Dividends paid                           -      (46.2)          (46.2)                 -    (46.2) 
 Total transactions with 
  owners                                  -      (46.1)          (46.1)                 -    (46.1) 
 
 At 31 March 2020                       4.5       882.6           887.1               2.3     889.4 
                              =============  ==========  ==============  ================  ======== 
 
 
 
 At 30 September 2018                   4.5       787.6           792.1               1.6     793.7 
 
 Comprehensive income 
 Profit for the period                    -        57.1            57.1               0.4      57.5 
 Total comprehensive income               -        57.1            57.1               0.4      57.5 
 
 Transactions with owners 
 Share based payments, net 
  of 
  deferred tax                            -         3.7             3.7                 -       3.7 
 Dividends paid                           -      (29.2)          (29.2)                 -    (29.2) 
 Purchase of shares by 
  Employee Benefit Trust                  -      (13.0)          (13.0)                 -    (13.0) 
 Total transactions with 
  owners                                  -      (38.5)          (38.5)                 -    (38.5) 
 
 At 31 March 2019                       4.5       806.2           810.7               2.0     812.7 
                              =============  ==========  ==============  ================  ======== 
 

COUNTRYSIDE PROPERTIES PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (AUDITED)

For the six months ended 31 March 2020

 
                                  Share    Retained          Equity   Non-controlling     Total 
                                capital    earnings    attributable          interest    equity 
                                                          to owners 
                                                             of the 
                                                             parent 
                                   GBPm        GBPm            GBPm              GBPm      GBPm 
                              ---------  ----------  --------------  ----------------  -------- 
 
 At 30 September 2018               4.5       787.6           792.1               1.6     793.7 
 
 Comprehensive income 
 Profit for the period                -       167.7           167.7               0.7     168.4 
 Total comprehensive income           -       167.7           167.7               0.7     168.4 
 
 Transactions with owners 
 Share based payments, 
  net of 
  deferred tax                        -         6.0             6.0                 -       6.0 
 Purchase of shares by 
  Employee Benefit Trust              -      (13.0)          (13.0)                 -    (13.0) 
 Dividends paid                       -      (56.0)          (56.0)                 -    (56.0) 
 Total transactions with 
  owners                              -      (63.0)          (63.0)                 -    (63.0) 
 
 At 30 September 2019               4.5       892.3           896.8               2.3     899.1 
                              =========  ==========  ==============  ================  ======== 
 

COUNTRYSIDE PROPERTIES PLC

CONSOLIDATED CASHFLOW STATEMENT

For the six months ended 31 March 2020

 
                                                   Six months    Six months      Year ended 
                                                     ended 31      ended 31    30 September 
                                                   March 2020    March 2019            2019 
                                           Note     Unaudited     Unaudited         Audited 
                                                         GBPm          GBPm            GBPm 
                                                 ------------  ------------  -------------- 
 
 Cash (used in)/generated from 
  operations                                17         (99.6)        (13.3)            86.9 
 Interest paid                                          (1.9)         (1.3)           (3.8) 
 Tax paid                                              (45.4)        (18.4)          (27.9) 
 Net cash (outflow)/inflow from 
  operating activities                                (146.9)        (33.0)            55.2 
 
 Cash flows from investing activities 
 Purchase of intangible assets                          (1.0)         (1.5)           (3.1) 
 Purchase of property, plant and 
  equipment                                             (3.9)         (3.7)           (7.8) 
 Proceeds from disposal of property, 
  plant and equipment                                       -             -             0.3 
 Proceeds from financial assets 
  at fair value through profit or 
  loss                                      13            5.0             -               - 
 (Increase)/decrease in advances 
  to joint ventures and associate                      (37.4)        (39.4)             6.8 
 Repayment of members' interest                             -             -             2.9 
 Dividends received from joint 
  ventures and associate                                 32.5          32.7            43.1 
 Net cash (outflow)/inflow from 
  investing activities                                  (4.8)        (11.9)            42.2 
 
 Cash flows from financing activities 
 Dividends paid                             10         (46.2)        (29.2)          (56.0) 
 Payment of lease obligations                           (3.1)             -               - 
 Purchase of shares by Employee 
  Benefit Trust                                             -        (13.0)          (13.0) 
 Borrowings under revolving credit 
  facility                                              297.6          40.0               - 
 Net cash i n flow/( out flow) 
  from financing activities                             248.3         (2.2)          (69.0) 
 
 Net i n crease/(d e crease) in 
  cash and cash equivalents                              96.6        (47.1)            28.4 
 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning 
  of the period                                          75.6          47.2            47.2 
 Cash and cash equivalents at the 
  end of the period                         15          172.2           0.1            75.6 
                                                 ============  ============  ============== 
 

COUNTRYSIDE PROPERTIES PLC

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the six months ended 31 March 2020

   1.   GENERAL INFORMATION 

Countryside Properties PLC (the "Company") is a public limited company incorporated and domiciled in the United Kingdom, whose shares are publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange. The Company's registered office is Countryside House, The Drive, Brentwood, Essex CM13 3AT.

The Group's principal activities are building new homes and regeneration of public sector land.

   2.   BASIS OF PREPARATION 

The financial information in these condensed consolidated interim financial statements (the "Financial Information") for the six months to 31 March 2020 is that of the Company and all of its subsidiaries (together the "Group"). It has been prepared in accordance with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the UK Financial Conduct Authority and with International Accounting Standard 34 "Interim Financial Reporting", as endorsed by the European Union.

The Financial Information for the six months ended 31 March 2020 and 31 March 2019 is unaudited but has been subject to a review in accordance with the International Standard on Review Engagements 2410 "Review of Interim Financial Information performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity", issued by the Auditing Practices Board.

The Financial Information does not constitute full statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006 and should be read in conjunction with the annual consolidated financial statements of the Group for the year ended 30 September 2019 (the "Group Financial Statements"). The Group Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as adopted by the European Union and filed at Companies House.

The Group Financial Statements have been reported on by the Company's auditors and are available on the Company's website https://investors.countrysideproperties.com. The report of the auditors was unqualified, did not include a reference to any matters to which the auditors drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their report and did not contain a statement under section 498 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.

The condensed consolidated interim financial statements were authorised for issue by the Directors on 13 May 2020.

Going concern

Due to the significant uncertainty arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, management has performed a detailed going concern review, testing the Group's liquidity and banking covenant compliance in a range of scenarios as outlined below.

The Group has the benefit of a GBP300m revolving credit facility ("RCF") provided by its banking syndicate of four banks, which expires in May 2023. This facility includes covenants in respect of gearing, interest cover, tangible net asset value and loan to book value. In addition, on 28 April 2020, the Group received confirmation from the Bank of England of its eligibility to participate in the CCFF. The Group has put in place a commercial paper programme which will allow up to GBP300m of commercial paper to be issued. The facility will be used to provide standby liquidity, should that be required, and is currently undrawn.

The Group announced on 25 March 2020 that all construction sites, factories and sales offices were to close. A number of measures were taken to preserve liquidity, including the renegotiation of land purchases and development agreements and a general reduction in spend across the Group. During this period, all land payments which had not been deferred and payments to suppliers and sub-contractors which fell due were paid as planned. In addition, some revenue from construction contracts for Affordable and PRS homes was received, along with deferred receipts for historical land sales. On 7 May 2020, the Group announced a phased return to construction activity which commenced from 11 May 2020 and allowed the Group to begin generating cash flows from construction activity and the sale of private homes.

In stress testing the cash flows of the business, management applied three scenarios compared against the pre COVID-19 business plan:

(i) A six-week shutdown of activity, during which no revenue was received by the business whatsoever, with all payments being made as they fell due. This was followed by a phased return to construction activity. Private volumes and selling prices were modelled to reduce by a combined 20% initially, recovering slowly to pre-COVID-19 levels by 2022. The private forward order book was assumed to reduce by half for reserved plots, with the majority of exchanged plots assumed to complete. No land sales were assumed until early 2021 and only limited land purchases made throughout 2020 to 2022.

(ii) As above, but including a full three-month shutdown of the business, with zero revenue from 1 April 2020 to 1 July 2020.

(iii) As above, but including a full six-month shutdown of the business with zero revenue from 1 April 2020 to 1 October 2020.

The stress testing in scenarios (ii) and (iii) resulted in the need for a small amount of additional liquidity and in the case of scenario (iii), a relaxation of the Group's interest cover and gearing covenants. As a result of the Group's eligibility for the CCFF and an agreed relaxation of the Group's banking covenants with its lending banks, there is now sufficient liquidity and covenant headroom to withstand the full six-month shutdown of the business.

The Bank of England's standard terms for the CCFF state that the Bank "reserves the right at its sole discretion to deem any security ineligible for any reason, and to deem ineligible securities it has previously purchased and vice versa". The Directors note that this could represent a material uncertainty that may cast significant doubt about the Group's ability to continue as a going concern. We have discussed this matter with the Bank of England and note that this is the Bank's standard approach to all of its lending facilities and that HM Treasury and the Bank of England have publicly committed to keeping the CCFF open until at least March 2021. The Bank also notes on its website their intention to keep the CCFF open for as long as steps are needed to relieve cash flow pressures on firms that make a material contribution to the UK economy. On this basis, the Directors believe that liquidity under the CCFF would be available to the Group should it be required.

The Directors consider that the Group has adequate resources in place for at least 12 months from the date of these results and have therefore adopted the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the interim financial statements.

Critical accounting judgements and estimates

The preparation of the Financial Information under IFRS requires the Directors to make estimates and assumptions that affect the application of policies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income, expenses and related disclosures. The key source of estimation uncertainty for the Group, as disclosed in the Group Financial Statements, involves the estimation of site profitability. This has remained a key source of estimation uncertainty during the period, especially given the significant uncertainty around house prices, materials and labour costs arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Directors have performed a detailed review of the Group's developments and have concluded that no impairment of inventory is necessary at present and will keep the assumptions underlying their assessment of site profitability under review as the impact of COVID-19 on the housing market and wider economy develops over the coming months.

Accounting policies

The policies applied in the Financial Information are consistent with those applied in the Group Financial Statements, except in respect of income tax, which is based on the effective tax rate that would be applicable to expected annual earnings, and the impact of IFRS 16 "Leases" which is described below.

New standards, amendments and interpretations

The following amendments to standards and interpretations are effective for the first time for the financial year beginning 1 October 2019 and have been adopted during the period:

-- IFRS 16 "Leases" addresses the definition of a lease, recognition and measurement of leases and establishes principles for reporting useful information to users of financial statements about the leasing activities of both lessees and lessors. A key change arising from IFRS 16 is that most operating leases are now accounted for on balance sheet for lessees. The standard replaces IAS 17 "Leases" and related interpretations. IFRS 16 has been applied using the modified retrospective approach with no restatement of comparative financial information. Information on the initial application of IFRS 16, including the impact on the financial position and performance of the Group, has been disclosed in Note 21.

-- Annual improvements 2015 - 2017 Cycle; and Amendment to IAS 28 "Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures" have not had a material impact on the Group.

The following amendments to standards and interpretations have also been issued, but are not yet effective and have not been early adopted for the six months ended 31 March 2020:

-- Amendments to IAS 1 "Presentation of Financial Statements" and IAS 8 "Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors" are not expected to have a material impact on the Group.

Alternative Performance Measures

In the reporting of financial information, the Directors have adopted various Alternative Performance Measures ("APMs"). These measures are not defined by IFRS and therefore may not be directly comparable with other companies' APMs, including those in the Group's industry. APMs should be considered in addition to, and are not intended to be a substitute for, or superior to, IFRS measurements. Refer to pages 34-38 for a full list of the Group's APMs.

   3.   SEASONALITY 

In common with the rest of the UK housebuilding industry, activity occurs throughout the year, with peaks in sales completions in spring and autumn. This creates a degree of seasonality in the Group's trading results and working capital. In addition to this, as a consequence of the government-imposed lockdown triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Group announced the temporary cessation of its operations on 25 March 2020 and commenced a phased restart of most operations on 11 May 2020.

   4.   SEGMENTAL REPORTING 

Segmental reporting is presented in respect of the Group's business segments reflecting the Group's management and internal reporting structure and is the basis on which strategic operating decisions are made by the Group's Chief Operating Decision Maker ("CODM"), which has been identified as the Group's Executive Committee.

The Group's two business segments are Partnerships and Housebuilding. The Group operates entirely within the United Kingdom and there is no trade between segments.

The Partnerships segment specialises in medium to large-scale housing regeneration schemes delivering private and affordable homes in partnership with public sector landowners and operates primarily in and around London, the Midlands, the North West of England and Yorkshire.

The Housebuilding segment develops large-scale sites, providing private, PRS and affordable housing on land owned or controlled by the Group, primarily around London and in the South East of England, operating under the Countryside and Millgate brands.

(a) Segmental financial performance

 
                                        Partnerships   Housebuilding   Group items      Total 
                                                GBPm            GBPm          GBPm       GBPm 
                                       -------------  --------------  ------------  --------- 
  Six months ended 31 March 2020 
  Adjusted revenue including share 
   of revenue from joint ventures 
   and associate                               343.8           187.1             -      530.9 
  Less: share of revenue from 
   joint ventures and associate               (19.8)          (29.9)             -     (49.7) 
                                       -------------  --------------  ------------  --------- 
  Revenue                                      324.0           157.2             -      481.2 
                                       =============  ==============  ============  ========= 
 
  Adjusted operating profit/(loss) 
   including share of operating 
   profit/(loss) from joint ventures 
   and associate                                36.3            20.6         (1.6)       55.3 
  Less: share of operating profit 
   from joint ventures and associate           (3.8)           (5.2)             -      (9.0) 
  Less: non-underlying items                       -               -         (5.3)      (5.3) 
                                       -------------  --------------  ------------  --------- 
  Operating profit/(loss)                       32.5            15.4         (6.9)       41.0 
                                       =============  ==============  ============  ========= 
 
                                        Partnerships   Housebuilding   Group items        Total 
                                                GBPm            GBPm          GBPm         GBPm 
                                       -------------  --------------  ------------  ----------- 
  Six months ended 31 March 2019 
  Adjusted revenue including share 
   of revenue from joint ventures 
   and associate                               342.4           221.3             -        563.7 
  Less: share of revenue from 
   joint ventures and associate               (13.3)          (43.4)             -       (56.7) 
                                       -------------  --------------  ------------  ----------- 
  Revenue                                      329.1           177.9             -        507.0 
                                       =============  ==============  ============  =========== 
 
  Adjusted operating profit/(loss) 
   including share of operating 
   profit/(loss) from joint ventures 
   and associate                                45.7            48.1         (4.4)         89.4 
  Less: share of operating profit 
   from joint ventures and associate           (7.0)          (10.7)             -       (17.7) 
  Less: non-underlying items                   (7.4)               -         (4.1)       (11.5) 
                                       -------------  --------------  ------------  ----------- 
  Operating profit/(loss)                       31.3            37.4         (8.5)         60.2 
                                       =============  ==============  ============  =========== 
 
                                        Partnerships   Housebuilding   Group items        Total 
                                                GBPm            GBPm          GBPm         GBPm 
                                       -------------  --------------  ------------  ----------- 
  Year ended 30 September 2019 
  Adjusted revenue including share 
   of revenue from joint ventures 
   and associate                               837.1           585.7             -      1,422.8 
  Less: share of revenue from 
   joint ventures and associate               (44.8)         (140.9)             -      (185.7) 
                                       -------------  --------------  ------------  ----------- 
  Revenue                                      792.3           444.8             -      1,237.1 
                                       =============  ==============  ============  =========== 
 
  Adjusted operating profit/(loss) 
   including share of operating 
   profit/(loss) from joint ventures 
   and associate                               127.8           114.8         (8.2)        234.4 
  Less: share of operating profit 
   from joint ventures and associate          (13.3)          (33.5)             -       (46.8) 
  Less: non-underlying items                   (7.4)               -         (9.8)       (17.2) 
                                       -------------  --------------  ------------  ----------- 
  Operating profit/(loss)                      107.1            81.3        (18.0)        170.4 
                                       =============  ==============  ============  =========== 
 
 

(b) Segmental financial position

Segmental Tangible Net Asset Value ("TNAV") represents the net assets of the Group's two operating divisions. Segmental TNAV includes divisional net assets less intangible assets (net of deferred tax) and excludes inter-segment cash funding. Tangible Net Operating Asset Value ("TNOAV") is the Group's measure of capital employed, as used in the calculation of Return on Capital Employed ("ROCE"). Refer to pages 34-38 for details of the Group's APMs.

 
                                  Partnerships   Housebuilding   Group items    Total 
                                          GBPm            GBPm          GBPm     GBPm 
                                 -------------  --------------  ------------  ------- 
 
 TNAV at 1 October 2019                  114.2           623.6             -    737.8 
 Operating profit/(loss)                  32.5            15.4         (6.9)     41.0 
 Add back items with no impact 
  on TNAV: 
  Share-based payments, net 
   of deferred tax                           -               -           0.1      0.1 
  Amortisation of intangible 
   assets                                    -               -           6.1      6.1 
 Other items affecting TNAV: 
  Results of joint ventures 
   and associate                           3.8             5.1             -      8.9 
  Dividends paid                        (29.5)          (16.7)             -   (46.2) 
  Taxation                               (4.7)           (2.6)             -    (7.3) 
  Other                                  (5.3)           (3.0)           0.7    (7.6) 
 TNAV at 31 March 2020                   111.0           621.8             -    732.8 
                                 -------------  --------------  ------------  ------- 
 Inter-segment cash funding: 
  net (cash)/debt                        187.7          (60.0)             -    127.7 
                                                                ------------  ------- 
 Segmental capital employed 
  (TNOAV)                                298.7           561.8             -    860.5 
                                 -------------  --------------  ------------  ------- 
 
 
                                  Partnerships   Housebuilding   Group items    Total 
                                          GBPm            GBPm          GBPm     GBPm 
                                 -------------  --------------  ------------  ------- 
 
 TNAV at 1 October 2018                   54.2           565.9             -    620.1 
 Operating profit/(loss)                  31.3            37.4         (8.5)     60.2 
 Add back items with no impact 
  on TNAV: 
  Share-based payments, net 
   of deferred tax                           -               -           3.7      3.7 
  Amortisation of intangible 
   assets                                    -               -           5.8      5.8 
 Other items affecting TNAV: 
  Results of joint ventures 
   and associate                           7.0             9.6             -     16.6 
  Dividends paid                        (13.3)          (15.9)             -   (29.2) 
  Taxation                               (5.8)           (7.0)             -   (12.8) 
  Purchase of shares by EBT              (5.9)           (7.1)             -   (13.0) 
  Other                                  (1.1)           (1.3)         (1.0)    (3.4) 
 TNAV at 31 March 2019                    66.4           581.6             -    648.0 
                                 -------------  --------------  ------------  ------- 
 Inter-segment cash funding: 
  net (cash)/debt                        137.2          (95.1)             -     42.1 
 Segmental capital employed 
  (TNOAV)                                203.6           486.5             -    690.1 
                                 =============  ==============  ============  ======= 
 
 
                                  Partnerships   Housebuilding   Group items    Total 
                                          GBPm            GBPm          GBPm     GBPm 
                                 -------------  --------------  ------------  ------- 
 
 TNAV at 1 October 2018                   54.2           565.9             -    620.1 
 Operating profit/(loss)                 107.1            81.3        (18.0)    170.4 
 Add back items with no impact 
  on TNAV: 
  Share-based payments, net 
   of deferred tax                           -               -           6.0      6.0 
  Amortisation of intangible 
   assets                                    -               -          11.7     11.7 
 Other items affecting TNAV: 
  Results of joint ventures 
   and associate                          13.3            30.8             -     44.1 
  Dividends paid                        (29.5)          (26.5)             -   (56.0) 
  Taxation                              (18.5)          (16.7)             -   (35.2) 
  Purchase of shares by EBT              (6.8)           (6.2)             -   (13.0) 
  Other                                  (5.6)           (5.0)           0.3   (10.3) 
 TNAV at 30 September 2019               114.2           623.6             -    737.8 
                                 -------------  --------------  ------------  ------- 
 Inter-segment cash funding: 
  net (cash)/debt                         62.6         (136.0)             -   (73.4) 
                                 -------------  --------------  ------------  ------- 
 Segmental capital employed 
  (TNOAV)                                176.8           487.6             -    664.4 
                                 =============  ==============  ============  ======= 
 

(c) Segmental other items

 
                                          Partnerships   Housebuilding   Group items   Total 
                                                  GBPm            GBPm          GBPm    GBPm 
                                         -------------  --------------  ------------  ------ 
       Six months ended 31 March 2020 
       Investment in joint ventures                7.9            30.4             -    38.3 
       Investment in associate                       -             3.6             -     3.6 
       Share of post-tax profit from 
        joint ventures and associate               3.8             5.1             -     8.9 
       Capital expenditure - property, 
        plant and equipment                        3.5             0.4             -     3.9 
       Capital expenditure - software                -               -           1.0     1.0 
       Depreciation and amortisation               2.9             1.3           6.1    10.3 
       Share-based payments                          -               -           0.2     0.2 
                                         -------------  --------------  ------------  ------ 
 
 
                                          Partnerships   Housebuilding   Group items   Total 
                                                  GBPm            GBPm          GBPm    GBPm 
                                         -------------  --------------  ------------  ------ 
       Six months ended 31 March 2019 
       Investment in joint ventures                8.0            38.7             -    46.7 
       Investment in associate                       -             4.8             -     4.8 
       Share of post-tax profit from 
        joint ventures and associate               7.0             9.6             -    16.6 
       Capital expenditure - property, 
        plant and equipment                        3.4             0.3             -     3.7 
       Capital expenditure - software                -               -           1.5     1.5 
       Depreciation and amortisation               0.7             0.1           5.7     6.5 
       Share-based payments                          -               -           3.3     3.3 
                                         -------------  --------------  ------------  ------ 
 
 
                                          Partnerships   Housebuilding   Group items   Total 
                                                  GBPm            GBPm          GBPm    GBPm 
                                         -------------  --------------  ------------  ------ 
       Year ended 30 September 2019 
       Investment in joint ventures               17.4            44.8             -    62.2 
       Investment in associate                       -             3.5             -     3.5 
       Share of post-tax profit from 
        joint ventures and associate              13.3            30.8             -    44.1 
       Capital expenditure - property, 
        plant and equipment                        5.0             2.8             -     7.8 
       Capital expenditure - software              0.2               -           2.9     3.1 
       Depreciation and amortisation               1.5             0.7          11.7    13.9 
       Share-based payments                          -               -           6.7     6.7 
                                         -------------  --------------  ------------  ------ 
 
   5.   REVENUE 

An analysis of Group reported revenue by type is set out below:

 
                       Six months      Six months        Year ended 
                         ended 31        ended 31      30 September 
                       March 2020      March 2019              2019 
                             GBPm            GBPm              GBPm 
 
 Partnerships: 
    Private                 123.5           133.8             355.2 
    Affordable              112.9           110.5             243.1 
    PRS                      77.0            73.4             167.1 
    Other                    10.6            11.4              26.9 
                   --------------  --------------  ---------------- 
                            324.0           329.1             792.3 
                   --------------  --------------  ---------------- 
 Housebuilding: 
  Private                   120.5           134.1             312.2 
  Affordable                 25.0            20.3              70.1 
    PRS                       1.8             4.8              15.4 
    Other                     9.9            18.7              47.1 
                   --------------  --------------  ---------------- 
                            157.2           177.9             444.8 
                   --------------  --------------  ---------------- 
 
   Total revenue            481.2           507.0           1,237.1 
                   ==============  ==============  ================ 
 
   6.   OPERATING PROFIT 

Non-underlying items

Certain items which do not relate to the Group's underlying performance are presented separately in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income as non-underlying items where, in the judgement of the Directors, they need to be disclosed separately by virtue of their size, nature or incidence in order to obtain a clear and consistent presentation of the Group's underlying business performance. Group operating profit includes the following non-underlying items:

 
                                            Six months      Six months        Year ended 
                                              ended 31        ended 31      30 September 
                                            March 2020      March 2019              2019 
                                                  GBPm            GBPm              GBPm 
 
 Non-underlying items included within 
  cost of sales: 
    Impairment of inventory                          -           (7.4)             (7.4) 
 Non-underlying items included within 
  administrative expenses: 
  Amortisation of acquisition-related 
   intangible assets                             (5.1)           (5.1)            (10.2) 
    Acquisition and integration costs 
     relating to Westleigh                           -           (1.4)             (1.8) 
    Deferred consideration relating 
     to Westleigh                                (0.2)             2.4               2.2 
   Total non-underlying items                    (5.3)          (11.5)            (17.2) 
                                        ==============  ==============  ================ 
 

Amortisation of acquisition-related intangible assets

Amortisation of acquisition-related intangible assets is reported within non-underlying items as the Directors do not believe this cost should be included when considering the underlying trading performance of the Group.

Acquisition and integration costs relating to Westleigh

During the year ended 30 September 2019, the Group incurred integration costs relating to the acquisition of Westleigh, including those of property moves and employee severance. No further integration costs have been recorded in non-underlying items during the period.

Deferred consideration relating to Westleigh

As part of the agreement to purchase Westleigh, deferred consideration was payable to management who remained with the Group post acquisition. These costs were accrued over the period to 31 March 2020 with changes to the estimated amount payable recognised in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

Impairment of inventory

During the six months ended 31 March 2019, a non-cash charge of GBP7.4m was recognised to impair the value of inventory in our Manchester region. This was the result of costs accrued over a four-year period not being appropriately recognised in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income. No further inventory impairments have been recorded in non-underlying items in relation to this matter during the period.

Taxation

A total tax credit of GBP1.0m (HY19: GBP2.2m, FY19: GBP3.4m) in relation to all the above non-recurring items was included within taxation in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

   7.   NET FINANCE COSTS 
 
                                                    Six months    Six months        Year ended 
                                                      ended 31      ended 31      30 September 
                                                    March 2020    March 2019              2019 
                                                          GBPm          GBPm              GBPm 
                                                  ------------  ------------  ---------------- 
 
  Bank loans and overdrafts                              (1.9)         (2.1)             (3.4) 
  Amortisation of debt finance costs                     (0.3)         (0.3)             (0.6) 
  Unwind of discount relating to: 
       Land purchases on deferred payment terms          (3.7)         (5.0)             (7.9) 
       Lease liabilities (Note 21)                       (0.6)             -                 - 
                                                  ------------  ------------  ---------------- 
  Finance costs                                          (6.5)         (7.4)            (11.9) 
                                                  ------------  ------------  ---------------- 
 
  Interest receivable                                      0.1           0.6               0.6 
  Unwind of discount relating to: 
       Land sales on deferred settlement terms             0.2           0.3               0.4 
                                                  ------------  ------------  ---------------- 
  Finance income                                           0.3           0.9               1.0 
                                                  ------------  ------------  ---------------- 
 
  Net finance costs                                      (6.2)         (6.5)            (10.9) 
                                                  ============  ============  ================ 
 
   8.   TAXATION 

The effective tax rate applied for the period was 16.7% (HY19: 18.2%, FY19: 17.3%). This reflects the anticipated full year effective rate and is lower than the statutory rate of 19.0% mainly due to the equity accounting method for joint ventures and associate and credits arising on the exercise of share options.

The adjusted effective tax rate for the period was 17.3% (HY19: 19.3%, FY19: 18.5%) with the difference between the reported and adjusted rates reflecting non-underlying items and the treatment of the Group's joint ventures and associate.

   9.   EARNINGS PER SHARE 

Basic earnings per share ("basic EPS") is calculated by dividing the profit from continuing operations attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period, adjusted for the weighted average number of shares held by the Employee Benefit Trust ("EBT"). For diluted earnings per share ("diluted EPS"), the weighted average number of ordinary shares also assumes the conversion of all potentially dilutive share awards.

(a) Basic earnings per share

 
                                              Six months    Six months        Year ended 
                                                ended 31      ended 31      30 September 
                                              March 2020    March 2019              2019 
                                            ------------  ------------  ---------------- 
 
  Profit from continuing operations 
   attributable to equity holders of 
   the parent (GBPm)                                36.4          57.1             167.7 
 
  Basic weighted average number of shares 
   (millions)                                      447.9         443.4             445.1 
  Basic earnings per share (pence per 
   share)                                            8.1          12.9              37.7 
 
  Diluted weighted average number of 
   shares (millions)                               450.9         446.2             450.1 
  Diluted earnings per share (pence 
   per share)                                        8.1          12.8              37.3 
                                            ------------  ------------  ---------------- 
 

The basic weighted average number of shares of 447.9 million (HY19: 443.4 million, FY19: 445.1 million) excludes the weighted average number of shares held in the EBT during the period of 2.1 million (HY19: 6.6 million, FY19: 4.9 million).

(b) Adjusted earnings per share

Adjusted basic and diluted EPS are APMs for the Group. Refer to pages 34-38 for details of the Group's APMs.

 
                                                     Six months    Six months        Year ended 
                                                       ended 31      ended 31      30 September 
                                                     March 2020    March 2019              2019 
                                                   ------------  ------------  ---------------- 
 
  Profit from continuing operations attributable 
   to equity holders of the parent (GBPm)                  36.4          57.1             167.7 
  Add: Non-underlying items, net of tax                     4.3           9.3              13.8 
                                                   ------------  ------------  ---------------- 
  Adjusted profit from continuing operations 
   attributable to equity holders of the 
   parent (GBPm)                                           40.7          66.4             181.5 
 
  Basic weighted average number of shares 
   (millions)                                             447.9         443.4             445.1 
  Adjusted basic earnings per share (pence 
   per share)                                               9.1          15.0              40.8 
 
  Diluted weighted average number of 
   shares (millions)                                      450.9         446.2             450.1 
  Adjusted diluted earnings per share 
   (pence per share)                                        9.0          14.9              40.3 
                                                   ------------  ------------  ---------------- 
 

Non-underlying items net of tax includes costs of GBP5.3m, net of tax of GBP1.0m (HY19: GBP11.5m, net of tax of GBP2.2m, FY19: GBP17.2m net of tax of GBP3.4m). Refer to Note 6.

10. DIVID

Dividends of GBP46.2m were paid during the period, reflecting the final dividend of 10.3 pence per share for the year ended 30 September 2019 (HY19: GBP29.2m paid reflecting the final dividend of 6.6 pence per share for the year ended 30 September 2018). The dividend was paid on 7 February 2020 to all shareholders on the register on 20 December 2019.

The Directors have not recommended the payment of an interim dividend for the current financial year (HY19: 6.0 pence per share, paid on 5 July 2019).

11. INVESTMENT IN JOINT VENTURES

The table below presents the movement in the Group's net investment in joint ventures:

 
                                     Six months    Six months      Year ended 
                                       ended 31      ended 31    30 September 
                                     March 2020    March 2019            2019 
                                           GBPm          GBPm            GBPm 
                                   ------------  ------------  -------------- 
 
  Opening balance                          62.2          62.5            62.5 
  Share of post-tax profit                  8.8          15.1            40.6 
  Dividends received                     (32.5)        (30.6)          (37.6) 
  Repayment of members' interest              -             -           (2.9) 
  Other movements                         (0.2)         (0.3)           (0.4) 
                                   ------------  ------------  -------------- 
  Closing balance                          38.3          46.7            62.2 
                                   ============  ============  ============== 
 

The Group's aggregate investment in joint ventures is represented by:

 
   For the six months ended 31 March    Partnerships   Housebuilding    Group 
    2020                                        GBPm            GBPm     GBPm 
                                       -------------  --------------  ------- 
 
  Revenue                                       39.6            59.7     99.3 
  Expenses                                    (32.1)          (49.3)   (81.4) 
  Operating profit                               7.5            10.4     17.9 
  Finance income                                   -             0.1      0.1 
  Income tax                                       -           (0.4)    (0.4) 
  Profit for the period                          7.5            10.1     17.6 
                                       -------------  --------------  ------- 
  Group's share in %                                                    50.0% 
  Share of revenue                                                       49.7 
  Share of operating profit                                               9.0 
  Dividends received by the Group                                        32.5 
  Investment in joint ventures                                           38.3 
                                                                      ------- 
 
 
    For the six months ended 31 March    Partnerships   Housebuilding    Group 
     2019                                        GBPm            GBPm     GBPm 
                                        -------------  --------------  ------- 
 
  Revenue                                        26.6            81.4    108.0 
  Expenses                                     (12.6)          (63.6)   (76.2) 
  Operating profit                               14.0            17.8     31.8 
  Finance costs                                     -           (0.3)    (0.3) 
  Income tax                                        -           (1.3)    (1.3) 
  Profit for the period                          14.0            16.2     30.2 
                                        -------------  --------------  ------- 
  Group's share in %                                                     50.0% 
  Share of revenue                                                        54.0 
  Share of operating profit                                               15.9 
  Dividends received by the Group                                         30.6 
  Investment in joint ventures                                            46.7 
                                                                       ------- 
 
 
  For the year ended 30 September 2019    Partnerships   Housebuilding     Group 
                                                  GBPm            GBPm      GBPm 
                                         -------------  --------------  -------- 
 
  Revenue                                         89.6           263.5     353.1 
  Expenses                                      (63.0)         (204.7)   (267.7) 
  Operating profit                                26.6            58.8      85.4 
  Finance costs                                      -           (0.5)     (0.5) 
  Income tax                                         -           (3.8)     (3.8) 
  Profit for the period                           26.6            54.5      81.1 
                                         -------------  --------------  -------- 
  Group's share in %                                                       50.0% 
  Share of revenue                                                         176.6 
  Share of operating profit                                                 42.7 
  Dividends received by the Group                                           37.6 
  Investment in joint ventures                                              62.2 
                                                                        -------- 
 

The aggregate amount due from joint ventures is GBP87.1m (HY19: GBP95.8m, FY19: GBP49.7m). The amount due to joint ventures is GBP 0.4m (HY19: GBP0.3m, FY19: GBP0.4m). Transactions between the Group and its joint ventures are disclosed in Note 18.

12. INVESTMENT IN ASSOCIATE

The Group holds 28.5% of the ordinary share capital with pro rata voting rights in Countryside Properties (Bicester) Limited, a company incorporated and domiciled in the UK, whose principal activity is the sale of serviced parcels of land, and for segmental purposes is disclosed within the Housebuilding division. It is accounted for using the equity method.

The table below presents the movement in the Group's net investment in associate:

 
                               Six months    Six months      Year ended 
                                 ended 31      ended 31    30 September 
                               March 2020    March 2019            2019 
                                     GBPm          GBPm            GBPm 
                             ------------  ------------  -------------- 
 
  Opening balance                     3.5           5.4             5.4 
  Share of post-tax profit            0.1           1.5             3.5 
  Dividends received                    -         (2.1)           (5.5) 
  Other movements                       -             -             0.1 
  Closing balance                     3.6           4.8             3.5 
                             ============  ============  ============== 
 

The Group's investment in associate is represented by:

 
                                      Six months    Six months      Year ended 
                                        ended 31      ended 31    30 September 
                                      March 2020    March 2019            2019 
                                            GBPm          GBPm            GBPm 
                                    ------------  ------------  -------------- 
 
  Revenue                                      -           9.5            32.1 
  Expenses                                     -         (3.3)          (17.6) 
  Operating profit                             -           6.2            14.5 
  Finance income                             0.3           0.5             1.0 
  Income tax                                   -         (1.3)           (3.1) 
  Profit for the period                      0.3           5.4            12.4 
                                    ------------  ------------  -------------- 
  Group's share in %                       28.5%         28.5%           28.5% 
  Share of revenue                             -           2.7             9.1 
  Share of operating profit                    -           1.8             4.1 
  Dividends received by the Group              -           2.1             5.5 
  Investment in associate                    3.6           4.8             3.5 
                                    ------------  ------------  -------------- 
 

The amount due from the associate is GBP Nil (HY19: GBPNil, FY19: GBPNil). Transactions between the Group and its associate are disclosed in Note 18.

13. FINANCIAL ASSETS AT FAIR VALUE THROUGH PROFIT OR LOSS

 
                               As at 31      As at 31     As at 30 
                             March 2020    March 2019    September 
                                   GBPm          GBPm         2019 
                                                              GBPm 
                           ------------  ------------  ----------- 
 
  Opening balance                   5.0           4.1          4.1 
  Increase in fair value              -             -          0.9 
  Settlement                      (5.0)             -            - 
  Closing balance                     -           4.1          5.0 
                           ============  ============  =========== 
 

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss at 30 September 2019 related solely to a deferred land overage receivable resulting from agreements where land was sold to a third-party and the Group was entitled to a share of surplus profits once development was complete. The overage receivable was held at fair value, being the Directors' best estimate of the value that could be achieved in a presumed sale of these assets to a third-party, after taking into account judgements on the variability of the expected final cash value, the time value of money and the degree of completion of the developments. Given that the inputs were estimated and not observed in a market, the fair value was classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

During the period, the receivable was settled for GBP5.0m with no gain or loss recognised in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

14. INVENTORIES

 
                                              As at 31      As at 31     As at 30 
                                            March 2020    March 2019    September 
                                                  GBPm          GBPm         2019 
                                                                             GBPm 
                                          ------------  ------------  ----------- 
 
  Development land and work in progress          960.0         727.3        741.4 
  Completed properties unlet, unsold 
   or awaiting sale                               81.4          52.6         67.2 
                                               1,041.4         779.9        808.6 
                                          ============  ============  =========== 
 

Total provisions against inventory at 31 March 2020 were GBP3.4m (HY19: GBP4.2m, FY19: GBP3.5m) .

During the period, an impairment charge of GBP4.8m was recognised against inventories (HY19: GBP7.4m, FY19: GBP7.4m).

15. CASH AND BORROWINGS

 
                                      As at 31      As at 31     As at 30 
                                    March 2020    March 2019    September 
                                          GBPm          GBPm         2019 
                                                                     GBPm 
                                  ------------  ------------  ----------- 
 
  Cash and cash equivalents              172.2          13.2         75.6 
  Overdrafts                                 -        (13.1)            - 
                                  ------------  ------------  ----------- 
  Net cash and cash equivalents          172.2           0.1         75.6 
                                  ============  ============  =========== 
 
  Bank loans                           (297.6)        (40.0)            - 
  Bank loan arrangement fees               1.7           2.3            - 
  Other loans                            (2.3)         (2.2)        (2.2) 
                                  ------------  ------------  ----------- 
  Borrowings                           (298.2)        (39.9)        (2.2) 
                                  ============  ============  =========== 
 

Bank loans

The Group has a GBP300m revolving credit facility with Lloyds Bank plc, Barclays Bank PLC, HSBC Bank plc and Santander UK plc, expiring in May 2023. The agreement has a variable interest rate based on LIBOR. Subject to obtaining credit approval from the syndicate banks, the Group has the option to extend the facility by a further GBP100m. This facility is subject to both financial and non-financial covenants and is secured by floating charges over all the Group's assets.

As at 31 March 2020, the Group had drawn loans of GBP297.6m under the facility (HY19: GBP40.0m, FY19: GBPNil).

Bank loan arrangement fees are amortised over the term of the facility. As at 31 March 2020, unamortised loan arrangement fees were GBP 1.7 m (HY19: GBP2.3m, FY19: GBP2.0m). As the Group did not have any bank debt under this facility as at 30 September 2019, the unamortised loan arrangement fees of GBP2.0m were presented as prepayments within "trade and other receivables" in the consolidated statement of financial position.

Finance costs in the statement of comprehensive income include GBP0.3m of debt finance cost amortisation (HY19: GBP0.3m, FY19: GBP0.6m). Refer to Note 7.

As at 30 September 2019 the Group had allocated GBP30m of the facility to a separate overdraft facility. This allocation was removed at the request of the Group during the period. As a result, there was no overdraft in the consolidated statement of financial position as at 31 March 2020 (HY19: GBP13.1m, FY19: GBPNil).

Other loans

During the year ended 30 September 2018, the Group received an interest free loan of GBP2.5m for the purpose of remediation works in relation to one of its joint arrangements. The loan is repayable on the 22 November 2022. The carrying value of the loan is equal to the fair value and was recognised initially at fair value and subsequently carried at amortised cost.

Undrawn facilities

As at 31 March 2020, the Group had issued promissory notes under the revolving credit facility of GBP2.4m (HY19: GBP4.8m, FY19: GBP2.4m). As a result of this, and the bank loans noted above, the Group had the following undrawn facilities:

 
                                            As at 31      As at 31     As at 30 
                                          March 2020    March 2019    September 
                                                GBPm          GBPm         2019 
                                                                           GBPm 
                                       -------------  ------------  ----------- 
 
   Floating rate: 
   Expiring after more than one year               -         242.1        297.6 
                                       =============  ============  =========== 
 

16. TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

 
                                             As at 31      As at 31     As at 30 
                                           March 2020    March 2019    September 
                                                 GBPm          GBPm         2019 
                                                                            GBPm 
                                         ------------  ------------  ----------- 
  Amounts falling due within one year: 
  Trade payables                                 84.3          53.4         50.7 
  Deferred land payments                        113.2          83.7         73.0 
  Overage payable                                14.6           7.2          7.4 
  Accruals and deferred income                  122.6         144.0        160.2 
  Other taxation and social security              6.7           3.0          3.3 
  Other payables                                 25.6          12.2         27.6 
  Amounts due to joint ventures                   0.4           0.3          0.4 
                                         ------------  ------------  ----------- 
                                                367.4         303.8        322.6 
                                         ------------  ------------  ----------- 
  Amounts falling due in more than 
   one year: 
  Trade payables                                 17.6          10.7         17.9 
  Deferred land payments                        104.9          36.5         85.3 
  Overage payable                                16.3          28.1         26.5 
  Accruals and deferred income                      -           0.5          0.3 
  Other payables                                    -          17.8            - 
                                         ------------  ------------  ----------- 
                                                138.8          93.6        130.0 
                                         ------------  ------------  ----------- 
  Total trade and other payables                506.2         397.4        452.6 
                                         ============  ============  =========== 
 

17. NOTES TO THE CASH FLOW STATEMENT

Reconciliation of profit before taxation to cash (used in)/generated from operations

 
                                               Six months    Six months      Year ended 
                                                 ended 31      ended 31    30 September 
                                               March 2020    March 2019            2019 
                                                     GBPm          GBPm            GBPm 
                                             ------------  ------------  -------------- 
 
  Profit before taxation                             43.7          70.3           203.6 
  Adjustments for: 
  - Amortisation charge                               6.1           5.8            11.7 
  - Depreciation charge - property, plant 
   and equipment                                      1.3           0.7             2.2 
  - Depreciation charge - right of use                2.9             -               - 
   assets 
  - Loss on disposal of property, plant 
   and equipment                                        -           0.7             0.2 
  - Non-cash items                                      -             -           (0.1) 
  - Share of post-tax profit from joint 
   ventures and associate                           (8.9)        (16.6)          (44.1) 
  - Share based payments (pre-tax)                    0.2           3.3             6.7 
  - Finance costs                                     6.5           7.4            11.9 
  - Finance income                                  (0.3)         (0.9)           (1.0) 
  - Fair value gain on financial assets 
   held at fair value through profit or 
   loss                                                 -             -           (0.9) 
  Changes in working capital: 
  - Increase in inventories                       (232.8)        (39.1)          (67.8) 
  - Decrease/(increase) in trade and other 
   receivables                                       30.5        (24.7)          (66.7) 
  - Increase/(decrease) in trade and other 
   payables                                          52.2        (19.0)            34.1 
  - (Decrease)/increase in provisions               (1.0)         (1.2)           (2.9) 
                                             ------------  ------------  -------------- 
  Cash (used in)/generated from operations         (99.6)        (13.3)            86.9 
                                             ============  ============  ============== 
 

18. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Transactions with joint ventures and associate

 
                                           Joint Ventures                               Associate 
                              ----------------------------------------  ---------------------------------------- 
                               Six months   Six months      Year ended   Six months   Six months      Year ended 
                                    ended        ended    30 September        ended        ended    30 September 
                                 31 March     31 March            2019     31 March     31 March            2019 
                                     2020         2019            GBPm         2020         2019            GBPm 
                                     GBPm         GBPm                         GBPm         GBPm 
                              -----------  -----------  --------------  -----------  -----------  -------------- 
 
  Sales during the period            11.7         12.5            29.8          0.1          1.4             2.4 
                              -----------  -----------  --------------  -----------  -----------  -------------- 
 
  Net advances: 
  Amount due at start 
   of period                         49.3         56.1            56.1            -            -               - 
  Net advances/(repayments) 
   during the period                 37.4         39.4           (6.8)            -            -               - 
  Amount due at end 
   of period                         86.7         95.5            49.3            -            -               - 
                              ===========  ===========  ==============  ===========  ===========  ============== 
 
 

Sales of goods to related parties were made at the Group's commercial terms. No purchases were made by the Group from its joint ventures or associate. The amounts outstanding ordinarily bear no interest and will be settled in cash.

Transactions with key management personnel

During the period, three close family members of Ian Sutcliffe and Phillip Lyons were employed by a subsidiary of the Group. All these individuals were recruited through the normal interview process and are employed at salaries commensurate with their experience and roles. The combined annual salary and benefits of these individuals is less than GBP160,000 (HY19: one individual less than GBP80,000, FY19: two individuals less than GBP110,000).

19. SHARE PLANS

The Group operates three employee incentive schemes: An all-employee Save as you Earn ("SAYE") plan and two discretionary plans - the Long Term Incentive Plan ("LTIP") and the Deferred Bonus Plan ("DBP"). During the period, 2.3m (HY19: 3.9m, FY19: 3.9m) options were granted over the Company's shares relating to the LTIP and DBP schemes. 1.9m options were granted under the LTIP scheme (HY19: 3.5m, FY19: 3.5m) and 0.4m options were granted under the DBP scheme (HY19: 0.4m, FY19: 0.4m). No options were granted under the SAYE scheme during the period (HY19: Nil, FY19: 2.1m).

The Group recognised GBP 0.2m (HY19: GBP3.3m, FY19: GBP6.7m) of employee costs related to share-based payment transactions during the period, excluding the cost of related national insurance contributions.

A deferred tax asset of GBP1.6m (HY19: GBP3.3m, FY19: GBP2.3m) is held in relation to share-based payments. Transactions during the period resulted in a deferred tax charge to the statement of comprehensive income of GBP0.2m (HY19: GBP0.7m, FY19: GBP0.6m) and a charge direct to equity of GBP0.1m (HY19: credit of GBP0.4m, FY19: charge of GBP0.7m).

20. LITIGATION, CLAIMS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

The Group is subject to various claims, audits and investigations that have arisen in the ordinary course of business. These matters include but are not limited to employment and commercial matters. The outcome of all these matters is subject to future resolution, including the uncertainties of litigation. Based on information currently known to the Group and after consultation with external lawyers, the Directors believe that the ultimate resolution of these matters, individually and in aggregate, will not have a material adverse impact on the Group's financial condition. Where necessary, applicable costs are included within the cost to complete estimates for individual developments or are otherwise accrued in the statement of financial position.

During the prior financial year, the Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) commenced a sector wide inquiry into the sale of leasehold properties. On 28 February 2020, the CMA announced that they had found evidence of 'potential mis-selling and unfair contract terms in the leasehold housing sector and is set to launch enforcement action'. We have co-operated fully with the inquiry and to date we have not been contacted by the CMA regarding their finding of potential mis-selling or unfair contract terms. As a result, the Directors believe that no liability exists in relation to this matter as at 31 March 2020.

During the prior financial year, an amendment to Building Regulations banned the use of combustible materials on the external cladding of tall buildings. The Directors commissioned an independent third-party review of historical developments which is still on-going. In addition, in response to the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government's (MHCLG) report "Advice for Building Owners of Multi-storey, Multi-occupied Residential Buildings", since January 2020 a formal fire safety assessment must be conducted by a suitably qualified and competent professional (typically a Fire Engineer) for all buildings above 18 meters. We have engaged an independent third-party to complete these assessments and the process is on-going. No provision has been made for fire-safety related works as at 31 March 2020. This will be reviewed when the third-party reviews have been concluded.

During the period, the Group signed an agreement to lease a second modular panel factory in Bardon, Leicestershire. The factory is under construction and the 20-year lease will commence when the factory is ready to occupy. This is expected to occur during the first half of FY21. The Directors expect to recognise a lease liability of c.GBP36m at the date of commencement along with a right of use asset of the same value.

21. ADOPTION OF NEW AND REVISED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

During the period, the Group has adopted IFRS 16 "Leases", as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB"). The impact of the adoption of IFRS 16 on the Group's financial statements is explained below.

   (a)   Changes to accounting policies 

Prior to the adoption of IFRS 16, the Group's lease commitments were all classified as operating leases under IAS 17, with rental costs recognised in operating profit on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease.

IFRS 16 requires lessees to recognise right of use assets and lease liabilities in the statement of financial position for all leases, except short-term and low value asset leases.

Lease liabilities are initially recognised at the present value of future lease payments. Future lease payments are included in the lease liability where they are fixed in value, or variable based on an index or a fixed annual increase. The lease payments are discounted at the Group's incremental borrowing rate, which is the rate that the Group would have to pay to borrow the funds necessary to obtain an asset of similar value in a similar economic environment with similar terms and conditions.

Subsequently, the unwind of discount is recorded in finance costs in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, and lease liabilities are remeasured where the Group's assessment of the expected lease term changes.

Right of use assets are initially measured at cost, comprising the initial value of the lease liabilities adjusted for rental payments made at or prior to the start of the lease term, initial direct costs, lease incentives received and restoration costs.

Subsequently, right of use assets are measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. The right of use asset is depreciated over the shorter of the asset's useful life and the lease term on a straight-line basis. Depreciation is recorded in either cost of sales or administrative expenses in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income depending on the nature of the asset.

The accounting treatment for short-term and low value assets is unchanged under IFRS 16, with rental costs recognised on a straight-line basis as an expense in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income. Short-term leases are leases with a lease term of 12 months or less.

   (b)   Adjustments recognised on adoption of IFRS 16 

The Group has recognised lease liabilities and right of use assets for leases relating to offices, factories, company cars, IT equipment, and show homes/marketing suites that have been sold and leased back.

IFRS 16 has been applied using the modified retrospective approach with no restatement of comparative financial information, as permitted under the specific transitional provisions in the standard. The adjustments arising from the adoption of IFRS 16 are therefore recognised in the opening balances of the consolidated statement of financial position on 1 October 2019.

In applying IFRS 16 for the first time, the Group has used the following practical expedients permitted in the standard:

   --      the application of a single discount rate to portfolios of leases with reasonably similar characteristics; 

-- the accounting for operating leases with a remaining lease term of less than 12 months as at 1 October 2019 as short-term leases even though the initial term of the leases from lease commencement date may have been more than 12 months; and

-- the reliance on previous assessments on whether contracts contain a lease or leases are onerous.

The adoption of IFRS 16 on 1 October 2019 had the following impact on the consolidated statement of financial position:

   --     Lease liabilities recognised of GBP31.6m 
   --     Right of use assets recognised of GBP30.3m 
   --     Accruals derecognised of GBP1.9m 
   --     Prepayments derecognised of GBP0.6m 
   --     No impact on net assets, TNAV or TNOAV 

The following table reconciles the Group's total operating lease commitments as at 30 September 2019 to the lease liabilities recognised under IFRS 16 on 1 October 2019:

 
                                                             GBPm 
                                                           ------ 
 Total operating lease commitments disclosed at 
  30 September 2019                                          26.9 
 Add: adjustments as a result of different treatment 
  of termination options                                     10.3 
 (Less): short-term leases recognised on a straight-line 
  basis as an expense                                       (0.3) 
 (Less): low-value leases recognised on a straight-line 
  basis as an expense                                       (0.3) 
                                                             36.6 
 Discounted using incremental borrowing rate                (5.0) 
                                                           ------ 
 Total lease liabilities recognised under IFRS 
  16 at 1 October 2019                                       31.6 
                                                           ====== 
 Of which: 
 Current liabilities                                          4.5 
 Non-current liabilities                                     27.1 
                                                           ====== 
 

The weighted average incremental borrowing rate applied in calculating the lease liabilities on 1 October 2019 was 3.4%.

(c) Impact on the consolidated interim financial statements for the six months ended 31 March 2020

The table below outlines the impact of IFRS 16 on the consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the six months ended 31 March 2020.

 
                                Results before        Adjustments     Six months 
                                   adjustments         in respect       ended 31 
                              for the adoption    of the adoption     March 2020 
                                    of IFRS 16            of IFRS    As reported 
                                                               16 
 ---------------------------------------------  -----------------  ------------- 
 
  Operating profit (GBPm)                 40.7                0.3           41.0 
  Finance costs (GBPm)                   (5.9)              (0.6)          (6.5) 
  Profit before tax (GBPm)                44.0              (0.3)           43.7 
  Basic earnings per share (pence)         8.2              (0.1)            8.1 
  Diluted earnings per share (pence)       8.1                  -            8.1 
                                        ------  -----------------  ------------- 
 
 

The table below outlines the impact of IFRS 16 on the consolidated statement of financial position as at 31 March 2020.

 
                                                As at 31        Adjustments       As at 31 
                                              March 2020         in respect     March 2020 
                                      before adjustments    of the adoption    As reported 
                                                 for the            of IFRS 
                                                adoption                 16 
                                                 of IFRS 
                                                      16 
                                    --------------------  -----------------  ------------- 
 
  Right of use assets (GBPm)                           -               29.8           29.8 
  Trade and other receivables 
   (GBPm)                                          253.0              (0.5)          252.5 
  Lease liabilities (GBPm)                             -             (31.5)         (31.5) 
  Trade and other payables (GBPm)                (508.1)                1.9        (506.2) 
  Retained earnings (GBPm)                         882.9              (0.3)          882.6 
                                    --------------------  -----------------  ------------- 
 

22. POST BALANCE SHEET EVENTS

Countryside Ground Rent Assistance Scheme

Following the Group's earlier commitment to the Government's Leasehold Pledge, in April 2020 the Group established the Countryside Ground Rent Assistance Scheme (the "Scheme"). The Scheme is expected to operate for a period of at least two years. It will be offered on a voluntary basis and will apply to such leases where the ground rent payable was not for the ultimate benefit of either a Local Authority or a Registered Provider of social housing.

We will seek agreement from all freehold owners to vary the leaseholds of Countryside customers who still own homes with a leasehold ground rent that doubles more frequently than every 20 years. Working with our joint venture partners where required, Countryside aims to achieve agreement from the freehold owners to vary the leasehold ground rent to increase every 15 years in line with RPI.

The Scheme is in the early stages of its development and the associated cost of the Scheme is provisionally estimated to be up to GBP10m. An appropriate provision for these costs will be made in the second half of the year.

COVID Corporate Financing Facility ("CCFF")

On 28 April 2020, the Group received confirmation from the Bank of England of its eligibility to participate in the CCFF. The Group has put in place a commercial paper programme which will allow up to GBP300m of commercial paper to be issued. The facility will be used to provide standby liquidity, should that be required, and is currently undrawn.

COUNTRYSIDE PROPERTIES PLC

INDEPENT REVIEW REPORT

For the six months ended 31 March 2020

INDEPENT REVIEW REPORT TO COUNTRYSIDE PROPERTIES PLC

Report on the condensed consolidated interim financial statements

Our conclusion

We have reviewed Countryside Properties PLC's condensed consolidated interim financial statements (the "interim financial statements") in the unaudited results for the half year ended 31 March 2020 of Countryside Properties PLC for the 6-month period ended 31 March 2020. Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the interim financial statements are not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34, 'Interim Financial Reporting', as adopted by the European Union and the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules sourcebook of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority.

Emphasis of matter

Without modifying our conclusion on the interim financial statements, we draw your attention to the disclosure made in note 2 "Basis of Preparation" which explains how the Board has formed a judgement that it is appropriate to adopt the going concern assumption as the basis of preparation for the Group.

The Group's forecast cash flows, included within its strategic plan, contain assumptions over revenue, profitability and cash generation. These forecasts have been stress-tested for severe but plausible scenarios that could impact the Group. The analysis shows that in a reasonable worst-case scenario, additional liquidity over and above the existing GBP300m RCF Facility is required. The Group has put in place a commercial paper programme under the Bank of England's COVID Corporate Financing Facility ("CCFF") which will allow up to GBP300m of commercial paper to be issued.

Under the Bank of England's standard terms for the CCFF the Bank reserves the right at its sole discretion to deem any security ineligible for any reason, and to deem ineligible securities it has previously purchased and vice versa. The ability of the Bank to withdraw the CCFF constitutes a material uncertainty which may cast significant doubt about the Group's ability to continue as a going concern. The interim financial statements do not include the adjustments that would result if the Group were unable to continue as a going concern.

What we have reviewed

The interim financial statements comprise:

   --      the consolidated statement of financial position as at 31 March 2020; 
   --      the consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the period then ended; 
   --      the consolidated cashflow statement for the period then ended; 
   --      the consolidated statement of changes in equity for the period then ended; and 
   --      the explanatory notes to the interim financial statements. 

The interim financial statements included in the unaudited results for the half year ended 31 March 2020 have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34, 'Interim Financial Reporting', as adopted by the European Union and the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules sourcebook of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority.

As disclosed in note 2 to the interim financial statements, the financial reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation of the full annual financial statements of the Group is applicable law and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union.

Responsibilities for the interim financial statements and the review

Our responsibilities and those of the Directors

The unaudited results for the half year ended 31 March 2020, including the interim financial statements, is the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the directors. The directors are responsible for preparing the unaudited results for the half year ended 31 March 2020 in accordance with the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules sourcebook of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority.

Our responsibility is to express a conclusion on the interim financial statements in the unaudited results for the half year ended 31 March 2020 based on our review. This report, including the conclusion, has been prepared for and only for the company for the purpose of complying with the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules sourcebook of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority and for no other purpose. We do not, in giving this conclusion, accept or assume responsibility for any other purpose or to any other person to whom this report is shown or into whose hands it may come save where expressly agreed by our prior consent in writing.

What a review of interim financial statements involves

We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410, 'Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity' issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the United Kingdom. A review of interim financial information consists of making enquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures.

A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) and, consequently, does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.

We have read the other information contained in the unaudited results for the half year ended 31 March 2020 and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the information in the interim financial statements.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Chartered Accountants

London

14 May 2020

COUNTRYSIDE PROPERTIES PLC

ALTERNATIVE PERFORMANCE MEASURES

For the six months ended 31 March 2020

ALTERNATIVE PERFORMANCE MEASURES (unaudited)

In the reporting of financial information, the Directors have adopted various Alternative Performance Measures ("APMs"). These measures are not defined by IFRS and therefore may not be directly comparable with other companies' APMs, including those in the Group's industry. APMs should be considered in addition to, and are not intended to be a substitute for, or superior to, IFRS measurements.

The Directors believe that the inclusion of the Group's share of the financial performance of its joint ventures and associate and the removal of non-underlying items from financial information presents a clear and consistent presentation of the underlying performance of the ongoing business for shareholders.

(a) Financial performance

Adjusted revenue

Adjusted revenue includes the Group's share of revenue from joint ventures and associate. Refer to Note 4 for a reconciliation to reported revenue.

Adjusted gross margin

Adjusted gross margin is calculated as adjusted gross profit divided by adjusted revenue. The table below reconciles adjusted gross profit to reported gross profit and presents the calculation of adjusted gross margin.

Adjusted gross profit includes the Group's share of gross profit from joint ventures and associate and excludes non-underlying items.

 
                                                 Six months       Six months         Year ended 
                                                   ended 31         ended 31       30 September 
                                                 March 2020       March 2019               2019 
                                      Note             GBPm             GBPm               GBPm 
                                            ---------------  ---------------  ----------------- 
 
 Gross profit                                          79.6            100.0              253.6 
 Add: non-underlying items               6                -              7.4                7.4 
 Add: share of gross profit from 
  joint ventures and associate                          9.4             18.1               47.8 
                                            ---------------  ---------------  ----------------- 
 Adjusted gross profit                                 89.0            125.5              308.8 
 Adjusted revenue                       4a            530.9            563.7            1,422.8 
                                            ===============  ===============  ================= 
 Adjusted gross profit margin                         16.8%            22.3%              21.7% 
                                            ===============  ===============  ================= 
 

Adjusted operating profit

Adjusted operating profit includes the Group's share of operating profit from joint ventures and associate and excludes non-underlying items. Refer to Note 4 for a reconciliation to reported operating profit.

Adjusted operating margin

Adjusted operating margin is calculated as adjusted operating profit divided by adjusted revenue. The table below presents the calculation of adjusted operating margin.

 
                                                  Six months       Six months         Year ended 
                                                    ended 31         ended 31       30 September 
                                                  March 2020       March 2019               2019 
                                       Note             GBPm             GBPm               GBPm 
                                             ---------------  ---------------  ----------------- 
 
 Adjusted operating profit               4a             55.3             89.4              234.4 
 Adjusted revenue                        4a            530.9            563.7            1,422.8 
 Adjusted operating profit margin                      10.4%            15.9%              16.5% 
                                             ===============  ===============  ================= 
 

Adjusted basic and diluted earnings per share

Adjusted basic and diluted earnings per share exclude the impact of non-underlying items on profit from continuing operations attributable to equity holders of the parent . Refer to Note 9 for a reconciliation to reported basic and diluted earnings per share.

Return on capital employed ("ROCE")

ROCE is calculated as adjusted operating profit divided by average tangible net operating asset value ("TNOAV") on a 12-month rolling basis.

The table below presents the calculation of ROCE for the Group:

 
                                                     Six months       Six months         Year ended 
                                                       ended 31         ended 31       30 September 
                                                     March 2020       March 2019               2019 
                                          Note             GBPm             GBPm               GBPm 
                                                ---------------  ---------------  ----------------- 
 
 Closing TNOAV                              4b            860.5            690.1              664.4 
 Opening TNOAV (12 months prior 
  to reporting date)                                      690.1            649.3              575.1 
                                                ---------------  ---------------  ----------------- 
 Average TNOAV (12-month rolling)                         775.3            669.7              619.8 
 Adjusted operating profit (12-month 
  rolling)                                                200.3            220.2              234.4 
 Group ROCE (%)                                           25.8%            32.9%              37.8% 
                                                ===============  ===============  ================= 
 

The table below presents the calculation of ROCE for the Partnerships segment:

 
                                                     Six months       Six months         Year ended 
                                                       ended 31         ended 31       30 September 
                                                     March 2020       March 2019               2019 
                                          Note             GBPm             GBPm               GBPm 
                                                ---------------  ---------------  ----------------- 
 
 Closing TNOAV                              4b            298.7            203.6              176.8 
 Opening TNOAV (12 months prior 
  to reporting date)                                      203.6            124.7              149.5 
                                                ---------------  ---------------  ----------------- 
 Average TNOAV (12-month rolling)                         251.2            164.2              163.2 
 Adjusted operating profit (12-month 
  rolling)                                                118.4            109.6              127.8 
 Partnerships ROCE (%)                                    47.1%            66.7%              78.3% 
                                                ===============  ===============  ================= 
 

The table below presents the calculation of ROCE for the Housebuilding segment:

 
                                                     Six months       Six months         Year ended 
                                                       ended 31         ended 31       30 September 
                                                     March 2020       March 2019               2019 
                                          Note             GBPm             GBPm               GBPm 
                                                ---------------  ---------------  ----------------- 
 
 Closing TNOAV                              4b            561.8            486.5              487.6 
 Opening TNOAV (12 months prior 
  to reporting date)                                      486.5            524.6              425.6 
                                                ---------------  ---------------  ----------------- 
 Average TNOAV (12-month rolling)                         524.2            505.6              456.6 
 Adjusted operating profit (12-month 
  rolling)                                                 87.3            120.3              114.8 
 Housebuilding ROCE (%)                                   16.6%            23.8%              25.1% 
                                                ===============  ===============  ================= 
 

12-month rolling adjusted operating profit used in the calculation of ROCE above is calculated as follows for the six months ended 31 March 2020:

 
                                                    Partnerships      Housebuilding      Group(1) 
                                                            GBPm               GBPm          GBPm 
 
                                          Note 
                                                ----------------  -----------------  ------------ 
 
 Adjusted operating profit for 
  the current six-month period              4a              36.3               20.6          55.3 
 Add: Adjusted operating profit 
  for the prior financial year              4a             127.8              114.8         234.4 
 Less: Adjusted operating profit 
  for the prior six-month period            4a            (45.7)             (48.1)        (89.4) 
 Adjusted operating profit (12-month 
  rolling)                                                 118.4               87.3         200.3 
                                                ================  =================  ============ 
 

(1) Group adjusted operating profit includes other Group items that are not allocated to the two segments. Refer to Note 4.

12-month rolling adjusted operating profit used in the calculation of ROCE above is calculated as follows for the six months ended 31 March 2019:

 
                                                    Partnerships      Housebuilding      Group(1) 
                                                            GBPm               GBPm          GBPm 
 
                                          Note 
                                                ----------------  -----------------  ------------ 
 
 Adjusted operating profit for 
  the current six-month period              4a              45.7               48.1          89.4 
 Add: Adjusted operating profit 
  for the prior financial year                             110.6              109.5         211.4 
 Less: Adjusted operating profit 
  for the prior six-month period                          (46.7)             (37.3)        (80.6) 
 Adjusted operating profit (12-month 
  rolling)                                                 109.6              120.3         220.2 
                                                ================  =================  ============ 
 

(1) Group adjusted operating profit includes other Group items that are not allocated to the two segments. Refer to Note 4.

Asset Turn

Asset turn is calculated as adjusted revenue divided by average TNOAV on a 12-month rolling basis.

The table below presents the calculation of asset turn for the Group:

 
                                             Six months       Six months         Year ended 
                                               ended 31         ended 31       30 September 
                                             March 2020       March 2019               2019 
                                                   GBPm             GBPm               GBPm 
                                        ---------------  ---------------  ----------------- 
 
 Adjusted revenue (12-month rolling)            1,390.0          1,325.2            1,422.8 
 Average TNOAV (12-month rolling)                 775.3            669.7              619.8 
                                        ===============  ===============  ================= 
 Group asset turn                                   1.8              2.0                2.3 
                                        ===============  ===============  ================= 
 

The table below presents the calculation of asset turn for the Partnerships segment:

 
                                             Six months       Six months         Year ended 
                                               ended 31         ended 31       30 September 
                                             March 2020       March 2019               2019 
                                                   GBPm             GBPm               GBPm 
                                        ---------------  ---------------  ----------------- 
 
 Adjusted revenue (12-month rolling)              838.5            730.6              837.1 
 Average TNOAV (12-month rolling)                 251.2            164.2              163.2 
                                        ===============  ===============  ================= 
 Partnerships asset turn                            3.3              4.5                5.1 
                                        ===============  ===============  ================= 
 

The table below presents the calculation of asset turn for the Housebuilding segment:

 
                                             Six months       Six months         Year ended 
                                               ended 31         ended 31       30 September 
                                             March 2020       March 2019               2019 
                                                   GBPm             GBPm               GBPm 
                                        ---------------  ---------------  ----------------- 
 
 Adjusted revenue (12-month rolling)              551.5            594.6              585.7 
 Average TNOAV (12-month rolling)                 524.2            505.6              456.6 
                                        ===============  ===============  ================= 
 Housebuilding asset turn                           1.1              1.2                1.3 
                                        ===============  ===============  ================= 
 

12-month rolling adjusted revenue used in the calculation of asset turn above is calculated as follows for the six months ended 31 March 2020:

 
                                                    Partnerships      Housebuilding        Group 
                                                            GBPm               GBPm         GBPm 
 
                                          Note 
                                                ----------------  -----------------  ----------- 
 
 Adjusted revenue for the current 
  six-month period                          4a             343.8              187.1        530.9 
 Add: Adjusted revenue for the 
  prior financial year                      4a             837.1              585.7      1,422.8 
 Less: Adjusted revenue for the 
  prior six-month period                    4a           (342.4)            (221.3)      (563.7) 
 Adjusted revenue (12-month rolling)                       838.5              551.5      1,390.0 
                                                ================  =================  =========== 
 

12-month rolling adjusted revenue used in the calculation of asset turn above is calculated as follows for the six months ended 31 March 2019:

 
                                                    Partnerships      Housebuilding        Group 
                                                            GBPm               GBPm         GBPm 
 
                                          Note 
                                                ----------------  -----------------  ----------- 
 
 Adjusted revenue for the current 
  six-month period                          4a             342.4              221.3        563.7 
 Add: Adjusted revenue for the 
  prior financial year                                     634.8              594.7      1,229.5 
 Less: Adjusted revenue for the 
  prior six-month period                                 (246.6)            (221.4)      (468.0) 
 Adjusted revenue (12-month rolling)                       730.6              594.6      1,325.2 
                                                ================  =================  =========== 
 

(b) Financial position

Tangible net asset value ("TNAV")

TNAV is calculated as net assets excluding intangible assets net of deferred tax. The table below reconciles TNAV to reported net assets.

 
                                                 Six months       Six months         Year ended 
                                                   ended 31         ended 31       30 September 
                                                 March 2020       March 2019               2019 
                                      Note             GBPm             GBPm               GBPm 
                                            ---------------  ---------------  ----------------- 
 
 Net assets                                           889.4            812.7              899.1 
 Less: intangible assets                            (165.8)          (175.2)            (170.9) 
 Add: deferred tax on intangible 
  assets                                                9.2             10.5                9.6 
                                            ===============  ===============  ================= 
 TNAV                                   4b            732.8            648.0              737.8 
                                            ===============  ===============  ================= 
 

Net debt

Net debt is calculated as borrowings less net cash and cash equivalents, and excludes bank loan arrangement fees included in borrowings. The table below presents the calculation of net debt:

 
                                                     Six months       Six months         Year ended 
                                                       ended 31         ended 31       30 September 
                                                     March 2020       March 2019               2019 
                                          Note             GBPm             GBPm               GBPm 
                                                ---------------  ---------------  ----------------- 
 
 Borrowings                                 15            298.2             39.9                2.2 
 Add: bank loan arrangement fees            15              1.7              2.3                  - 
 Less: net cash and cash equivalents        15          (172.2)            (0.1)             (75.6) 
                                                ===============  ===============  ================= 
 Net debt / (cash)                                        127.7             42.1             (73.4) 
                                                ===============  ===============  ================= 
 

Tangible net operating asset value ("TNOAV")

TNOAV is calculated as TNAV excluding net debt/(cash). The table below presents the calculation of TNOAV.

 
                                                Six months       Six months         Year ended 
                                                  ended 31         ended 31       30 September 
                                                March 2020       March 2019               2019 
                                     Note             GBPm             GBPm               GBPm 
                                           ---------------  ---------------  ----------------- 
 
 TNAV                                  4b            732.8            648.0              737.8 
 Add net debt / Less (net cash)                      127.7             42.1             (73.4) 
                                           ===============  ===============  ================= 
 TNOAV                                 4b            860.5            690.1              664.4 
                                           ===============  ===============  ================= 
 

Gearing

Gearing is calculated as net debt/(cash) divided by net assets. The table below presents the calculation of gearing.

 
                           Six months       Six months         Year ended 
                             ended 31         ended 31       30 September 
                           March 2020       March 2019               2019 
                                 GBPm             GBPm               GBPm 
                      ---------------  ---------------  ----------------- 
 
 Net debt / (cash)              127.7             42.1             (73.4) 
 Net assets                     889.4            812.7              899.1 
                      ===============  ===============  ================= 
 Gearing                        14.4%             5.2%             (8.2)% 
                      ===============  ===============  ================= 
 

Adjusted gearing

Adjusted gearing is calculated as net debt/(cash), including deferred land payments (excluding overage), divided by net assets. The table below presents the calculation of adjusted gearing.

 
                                            Six months       Six months         Year ended 
                                              ended 31         ended 31       30 September 
                                            March 2020       March 2019               2019 
                                                  GBPm             GBPm               GBPm 
                                       ---------------  ---------------  ----------------- 
 
 Net debt / (cash)                               127.7             42.1             (73.4) 
 Add: deferred land payments       16            218.1            120.2              158.3 
                                       ---------------  ---------------  ----------------- 
 Adjusted net debt / (cash)                      345.8            162.3               84.9 
 Net assets                                      889.4            812.7              899.1 
                                       ===============  ===============  ================= 
 Adjusted gearing                                38.9%            20.0%               9.4% 
                                       ===============  ===============  ================= 
 

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.

END

IR FLFEREEIVLII

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

May 14, 2020 02:00 ET (06:00 GMT)

1 Year Countryside Partnerships Chart

1 Year Countryside Partnerships Chart

1 Month Countryside Partnerships Chart

1 Month Countryside Partnerships Chart

Your Recent History

Delayed Upgrade Clock