Sustainability
Approach to sustainability
Our core objectives will be shaped by social, economic and environmental issues. We will seek to devise ways of meeting each objective, through a good decision making process that will be used to manage issues that might conflict with others. The core objectives are;
Social objectives
We will seek to create a built environment that:
- involves stakeholders in the process through consultation
- meets the needs of the people and businesses that use it
- provides accessible services and leisure facilities that encourage ‘community’ interaction and development
- celebrates cultural diversity so that all can enjoy a good quality of life
Economic objectives
We will seek to create high quality working environments that:
- create high and stable levels of employment
- strengthen the local economy and business linkages
- provide access for all to employment
- are adaptable to the changing needs of a vibrant economy
- to add to the overall diversification of the economy
- are linked to sustainable modes of transport
Environmental objectives
We will seek to use materials and adopt forms of design and construction that:
- allow the use of auditable benchmarking systems
- use resources and land efficiently
- promote development of low environmental impact
- minimise waste and pollution
- promote energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources
- protect and enhance biodiversity
- protecting important landscape and built features that contribute to the historic legacy of the area
- create a healthy environment
Energy Use
Energy use in buildings accounts for nearly 50% of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions within the UK. It is our aspiration is to achieve a carbon reduction of 25-35% better than current Part L Building Regulations for the development and from this a target of 10-20% of carbon reduction by renewable sources.
Key steps are:
Step 1 - (Be lean) Use less energy ,this will minimise demand for energy
Step 2 - (Be green) Use renewable energy, as much energy as possible should come from zero-carbon sources, so climate change impact is reduced, and natural resources conserved
Step 3 - (Be clean) Supply energy efficiently, where it is not practical to use renewable energy, the energy should be supplied as efficiently as possible.
For the Chocolate Factory we are looking to
implement the following.
- Retain and reuse the existing buildings
- Make the existing buildings more energy efficient by improving their thermal performance (Improve the insulation and upgrade the windows)
- Use energy within the buildings more efficiently. We will have low energy fittings, efficient plant and will explore heat recovery systems
- The new buildings will be built to high levels of energy efficiency from sustainable or recycled materials to Code for Sustainability guidelines
- Explore water usage across the site - reduced volume cisterns and introduce rainwater harvesting
- Introduce facilities for recycling and waste management on site
- Reduce building waste during construction
- Investigate passive solar design to reduce the energy requirement of the buildings
- We are exploring generating energy on site and are investigating the following – CHP (combined heat and power units), micro wind power, solar heating
- Encourage sustainable modes of transport. We will introduce a car club and a high level of cycle storage.
Cost associated with reducing carbon output of buildings
Carbon Dioxide output within mixed use schemes
Combined heat and power generation
