BDC News Team
Contractor appointed to retail and trade park scheme in Wynyard

Contractor appointed to retail and trade park scheme in Wynyard

A principal contractor has been appointed to develop a new retail and trade park within Wynyard Business Park, anchored by a Sainsbury’s superstore. Hebburn-based Castle will lead the scheme, developed by Northumberland Estates, which includes 52,000 sq ft of retail space and a 45,000 sq ft trade park at the

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£43m contract to give rural firms access to full fibre broadband

£43m contract to give rural firms access to full fibre broadband

A £43m contract has been awarded to extend full fibre broadband access to thousands of rural homes and businesses in Cheshire. Freedom Fibre has secured the contract as part of the government’s Project Gigabit initiative. As a result, 15,000 hard-to-reach homes and businesses will gain access to broadband capable of

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Lovell Homes Officially Break Ground on Skelmanthorpe Development

Lovell Homes Officially Break Ground on Skelmanthorpe Development

Lovell Homes proudly announces the commencement of construction at their highly anticipated Garrett Grove, Skelmanthorpe development, with the local cabinet member for housing, Cllr Moses Crook, gracing the groundbreaking ceremony.  The new development, which sits on the outskirts of Huddersfield, will comprise 46 three and four-bedroom new homes, with the first

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Beard upgrades historic Oxford buildings to high energy standards

Beard upgrades historic Oxford buildings to high energy standards

Award-winning contractor Beard has started work on an extensive upgrade of listed buildings in Oxford’s historic city centre. The £4.6m project is set to significantly boost energy performance. Beard is working on 19-21 St Johns Street, three late Georgian Grade II listed buildings used for student accommodation for nearby St

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CIBSE, Introba and Amazon announce new guidance to calculate embodied carbon of warehouse equipment in logistics centres

CIBSE, Introba and Amazon announce new guidance to calculate embodied carbon of warehouse equipment in logistics centres

The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) is pleased to announce new comprehensive Europe-wide guidance, Embodied carbon in building services: logistics centres (TM65.3). This is a groundbreaking industry guidance that helps the logistics industry assess the embodied carbon of material handling equipment (MHE) and mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP)

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Developer sought for Blackpool Enterprise Zone land

Developer sought for Blackpool Enterprise Zone land

Announced during UKREiiF, Blackpool Council is seeking a development partner for 30,000 sqm of land at Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone. Work to build an £18m road to access the development plots has started and is expected to complete in late 2025, with the land released slightly earlier for construction. Once

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Latest Issue
Issue 334 : Nov 2025

BDC News Team

Contractor appointed to retail and trade park scheme in Wynyard

Contractor appointed to retail and trade park scheme in Wynyard

A principal contractor has been appointed to develop a new retail and trade park within Wynyard Business Park, anchored by a Sainsbury’s superstore. Hebburn-based Castle will lead the scheme, developed by Northumberland Estates, which includes 52,000 sq ft of retail space and a 45,000 sq ft trade park at the Stockton site. The development will feature seven units, including the 46,000 sq ft superstore, alongside a Starbucks, Howdens, Screwfix, and Doves. Additional key retailers are anticipated to take space at the site. The broader Wynyard Business Park is home to over 60 businesses, employing around 5,000 people. The Sainsbury’s store alone is expected to create 124 jobs. Construction is set to begin this month, with the site fully operational by June 2025. Castle, headquartered in Hebburn, also has offices in Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Teesside. The business has secured a turnover of £65m for 2024. Managing Director Andrew Dawson said: “After a successful tender process, we have been appointed as principal contractor to deliver the facilities at the new retail and trade park. “The project will involve our teams in everything from initial enabling works, statutory services, earthworks, groundworks, frame and envelope through to partial MEP services and external services, including associated roads and car parks.” Craig Muldoon, divisional director, build, at Castle, added that sustainability will play a significant role throughout the works. “There will be substantial renewable energy measures, including EV charging points and a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) to store energy from solar panels and release it when needed.” Peter Dalby, development manager at Northumberland Estates, said: “We are delighted to have obtained planning permission for the first phase of the Wynyard Retail and Trade Park. This is a key development for Northumberland Estates, which will provide consumer choice and promote economic growth in the region. As we move into the construction phase, we look forward to working with Castle to deliver the project to a high specification.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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£43m contract to give rural firms access to full fibre broadband

£43m contract to give rural firms access to full fibre broadband

A £43m contract has been awarded to extend full fibre broadband access to thousands of rural homes and businesses in Cheshire. Freedom Fibre has secured the contract as part of the government’s Project Gigabit initiative. As a result, 15,000 hard-to-reach homes and businesses will gain access to broadband capable of delivering the fastest speeds on the market. Project Gigabit is a £5bn nationwide rollout aimed at areas that would have been overlooked in the industry’s rollout of gigabit-capable broadband. Freedom Fibre will begin with a period of detailed design and survey work, with construction expected to start in early 2025. The project will cover remote villages such as Kingswood, Allostock, and Minshull Vernon. Neil McArthur, founder and chief executive of Freedom Fibre, said: “We’re delighted to have been awarded this contract, increasing full-fibre coverage across Cheshire and further strengthening our relationship with Building Digital UK and local authorities across the county. This investment in full-fibre will end over 100 years of copper-based services and unleash untold potential for homes and businesses across Cheshire.” Julia Lopez, minister for data and digital infrastructure, added: “Homes and businesses in rural Cheshire not covered by broadband suppliers’ plans will get access to the fastest internet speeds available, thanks to this latest contract under the government’s Project Gigabit. This government’s investment in lightning-fast upgrades will benefit hard-to-reach communities all over the county, boosting productivity in local industries and helping households to stream, work, and play without a hitch.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Brookfield and Logistik Service joint venture to launch major logistics development in Ontígola, Spain

Brookfield and Logistik Service joint venture to launch major logistics development in Ontígola, Spain

Brookfield and Logistik Service, through their joint venture agreement to build high-quality logistics space, have initiated the development of a c.850,000 square foot logistics platform in central Spain. The agreement includes the option to further expand the warehouse space by c.300,000 square foot.  The new site is located in the municipality of Ontígola and is expected to be in full operation by the summer of 2025.   The warehouse will consist of c.850,000 square foot of built area on a plot of c.1.4 million square feet in the Dehesa de la Plata industrial estate. The space will have 75 loading bays, a 35-metre manoeuvring area and a free height of 13.70 metres. The building also has state-of-the-art offices, ample parking spaces for vehicles and trailers, as well as LEED GOLD & WELL GOLD environmental certificates.   The platform is well-located in the industrial estate of Ontígola, which is an important logistics hub due to its close proximity to Andalusia and Levante. In addition, it is located 45 minutes from Madrid and Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas airport and represents the consolidation of Ontígola as a major logistics centre in the south of Madrid. A number of leading multi-national companies are operating their logistics in the area.  Proequity, a leading consultancy firm in real estate operations, also participated together with CBRE in the formation of the joint venture between Brookfield and Logistik Service, and has been the consultancy firm that has closed this operation with regard to the leasing of the logistics warehouse.  According to Alberto Nin Garaizabal, Managing Director, Brookfield: “As one of the largest developments in Spain this year, the project highlights our commitment to building high-quality logistics assets in the country and delivering scaled solutions for our partner tenants. The Ontigola area is extremely well connected, and this new platform will support the economic growth of the area and create jobs for the local community.”  Javier Muniesa de Caveda, Development Director of Logistik Service, added: “This project is an important milestone for our company in its aim to become the reference company in the Spanish logistics real estate market. This is the culmination of several years of logistics development and the construction of warehouses in this municipality, which reinforces its position as one of the key hubs for logistics activities in our country”. Daniel Galache, partner of Proequity, explains that “Beyond the obvious fact that this is a very important project, not only for all those involved but also on a national market level, we are very proud to have done our bit by demonstrating our capacity to respond to the increasingly demanding needs of our clients in the real estate market”. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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University of East London reduces carbon emissions in first stage of net zero strategy

University of East London reduces carbon emissions in first stage of net zero strategy

The University of East London (UEL) has reduced its carbon emissions by 10 per cent from its 2020/21 baseline to 2022/23 in its new net zero strategy, putting the organisation on track to achieve its 2030 net-zero target. UEL partnered with technology company Siemens to develop the strategy, which included a roadmap to reduce carbon emissions across the university’s campuses in the London Docklands and Stratford, which are home to 25,000 students. The first major step towards the reduction of energy consumption on campus was through the installation of LED lighting in all buildings and upgrades to all building management system controllers. As part of the second phase, Siemens is installing technologies across the University’s campuses which will help it to decarbonise its energy consumption. This includes the installation of approximately 2MW of solar photovoltaics (PV), which is estimated to generate 1.2 GWh of zero carbon electricity a year, and the installation of 27 electric charging points at the University’s Docklands Campus, which will go live in the next month. UEL estimates that 90 per cent of this zero carbon energy will be consumed across the University’s campuses, with the remainder exported to the National Grid. Siemens will also support UEL in creating a ‘Living Lab’ to embed sustainability across the University’s course curriculums and provide real-time data allowing students to develop the skills they need to succeed in a green economy. Simon Burgess, Head of Solutions, Energy Performance Services, at Siemens in the UK and Ireland, said: “Our partnership with UEL will support the University in meeting its net zero targets, providing a structured roadmap to cut carbon emissions across both campuses. “We’ve already made significant progress over the last 12 months and the next phase will focus on installing more new renewable energy assets on-site to support sustainable generation. “True partnership and collaboration are key to this success, and that goes beyond decarbonisation. Achieving a net zero economy also depends on developing the right talent for the future, and we’re making the data from our work available to students to inform their studies and equip them with the knowledge and skills they will need to thrive in the green economy.” Professor Amanda Broderick, Vice Chancellor and President, University of East London, added: “Our long-term partnership with Siemens is central to our commitment to becoming a national decarbonisation leader, and providing a global blueprint for urban sustainability. We have already delivered significant carbon reduction savings and reduced both our emissions and energy consumption more than any other modern university in London, thanks to state-of-the-art energy generation technology. “And, importantly, our ‘Living Lab’ will provide our students, researchers and local businesses an inclusive place to test, research and commercialise green technology in a real-world environment, with access to the latest developments in smart technology to empower our students to become sustainability leaders of the future.” Siemens will be showcasing how technology can accelerate organisations’ decarbonisation journeys at its free-to-attend Transform event on 17th and 18th of July. To register click: https://siemens.co.uk/transform Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Lovell Homes Officially Break Ground on Skelmanthorpe Development

Lovell Homes Officially Break Ground on Skelmanthorpe Development

Lovell Homes proudly announces the commencement of construction at their highly anticipated Garrett Grove, Skelmanthorpe development, with the local cabinet member for housing, Cllr Moses Crook, gracing the groundbreaking ceremony.  The new development, which sits on the outskirts of Huddersfield, will comprise 46 three and four-bedroom new homes, with the first new homeowners set to move in later this year.  Drawing inspiration from Skelmanthorpe’s rich textile heritage, the Garrett Grove development pays homage to the iconic Garrett buildings that once stood majestically at the historic junction of Cumberworth Road and Huddersfield Road, affectionately known as The Triangle. This locale served as the birthplace of the village’s pioneering textile mill, a testament to the industrious spirit of its community. Robert Adams, Regional Managing Director at Lovell, said:  “Skelmanthorpe is a lovely area with a rich history, thanks to the town’s long-standing links to the textile industry. The iconic Garrett buildings have become an important symbol of Skelmanthorpe’s heritage, and in naming the new development after them, we wanted to celebrate that. Garrett Grove is set to be a fantastic location, and we look forward to welcoming our first homeowners in due course.” Works on the new site will bring significant investment and jobs to the local community across various roles. Robert added:  “Garrett Grove will be a wonderful new community, offering property seekers a wide choice of house types and purchasing options. We’re passionate about delivering quality homes that meet buyers’ growing and diverse housing needs in all the areas we build in, and Garrett Grove is no exception. In the heart of West Yorkshire, it offers buyers great countryside views and links into Huddersfield and Wakefield.” Skelmanthorpe’s local cabinet member for housing, Cllr Moses Crook, echoed Robert’s sentiment, explaining: “We are always keen to see developments that provide much-needed housing solutions for the people of Kirklees. As Skelmanthorpe continues to flourish, the introduction of Garrett Grove marks further progress in the community’s growth.” The launch of Garrett Grove marks the continued expansion across Lovell within the eastern region, with several other new developments currently in the pipeline. To learn more about the homes at Garrett Grove set to launch this Summer, visit here or call 01484 817 530. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Beard upgrades historic Oxford buildings to high energy standards

Beard upgrades historic Oxford buildings to high energy standards

Award-winning contractor Beard has started work on an extensive upgrade of listed buildings in Oxford’s historic city centre. The £4.6m project is set to significantly boost energy performance. Beard is working on 19-21 St Johns Street, three late Georgian Grade II listed buildings used for student accommodation for nearby St John’s College. To achieve high energy performance standards, Beard is upgrading the external fabric of the building to drastically reduce heat loss. It is also installing high performance woodfibre insulation to the internal face of the building. This will greatly increase energy performance at the same time as allowing traditional stonework to breathe.  The works include replacing gas boiler systems with air source heat pumps to provide heating and hot water. To improve air tightness and soundproofing, Beard is also upgrading the windows with sensitively designed, secondary internal glazing. The design team has carefully pursued this approach to minimise the impact on the external appearance of the listed buildings. Beard is working to protect and retain the building’s special historic features, including existing floors and stonework. Dean Averies, Beard director for its Oxford office, said: “We are actively conserving these wonderful, listed buildings and using innovative techniques to bring them up to an extremely high energy performance standard. This important project will reduce carbon emissions and improve students’ standard of living. Our work is based on decades of experience in completing complex development and restoration projects, including St Johns College itself, and many other high-profile listed buildings across Oxford.” Ian Stokes, works bursar at St John’s College, Oxford, said: “We are very pleased to work with Beard again, drawing upon their wealth of knowledge and experience, not only in restoration but in high energy performance techniques.” Beard is a family-owned and run construction company based in Swindon, with more than 130-years of experience. Alongside its head office in Swindon, Beard has regional offices in Bristol, Oxford, and Guildford, and a new south coast office. The design team is: Project managers/contract Administrators: Fusion Project Management Architects:       TSH Architects M,E & Sustainability Engineers: CPW Structural and Civil Engineers: HRW Landscape Architects:              Adams Habermehl. For more information, please visit www.beardconstruction.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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CIBSE, Introba and Amazon announce new guidance to calculate embodied carbon of warehouse equipment in logistics centres

CIBSE, Introba and Amazon announce new guidance to calculate embodied carbon of warehouse equipment in logistics centres

The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) is pleased to announce new comprehensive Europe-wide guidance, Embodied carbon in building services: logistics centres (TM65.3). This is a groundbreaking industry guidance that helps the logistics industry assess the embodied carbon of material handling equipment (MHE) and mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) equipment commonly used in logistics centres. The guidance was developed with the support of Introba and Amazon. This is the first industry-wide guidance and methodology that aims to foster informed data-based decision-making as the logistics industry works towards reducing its environmental footprint. The guidance enables the industry to gain a deeper understanding of its environmental impact and identify opportunities for decarbonisation. According to a Research and Markets report, the global market size of MHE was $128Bn, and is estimated to reach $193Bn in 2030*. Embodied carbon encompasses greenhouse gas emissions associated with materials and construction processes across different lifecycle stages. The guidance finds that MHE can represent an additional 17-53% of a typical logistics building’s embodied carbon. This shows that companies can reduce their environmental impact by making more informed decisions about the type of equipment used in their warehouses, and equipment manufacturers have the opportunity to differentiate and lead by developing equipment with lower carbon footprints.    TM65.3 builds upon the methodology outlined in Embodied carbon in building services: A calculation methodology (TM65), a calculation method for embodied carbon emissions in building services design that provides a robust framework for understanding and mitigating environmental impact. TM65.3 will benefit a wide array of stakeholders, including logistics building owners, manufacturers, retailers, architects, engineers, policymakers, researchers and students. By providing comprehensive insights into the embodied carbon impact of MHE and MEP strategies, the document empowers those stakeholders to make informed decisions aligned with their organisation’s sustainability goals. CIBSE’s Technical Director, Dr Anastasia Mylona stated: “This launch marks a significant milestone in understanding the embodied carbon implications of logistics buildings and underscores our commitment to sustainability within the built environment. By pooling our expertise with Amazon and Introba, we will empower stakeholders across the logistics sector with actionable insights to drive positive change.” Frank Lindner, Director, Operations Engineering EMEA, Amazon: “Calculating and understanding embodied carbon is a challenge across many sectors, and we’re proud to have supported CIBSE in their efforts to create robust industry guidance that will help Amazon and all those in the industry better understand their footprints and make more informed design and buying decisions.” Introba’s Head of Sustainability for UK & Europe Andy Stanton said: “TM65.3 is our first step along the journey to quantifying the embodied carbon across various logistics building typologies, particularly material handling equipment. There is no sign of demand for goods and services decreasing any time soon, so the need to understand the embodied carbon of the fast-growing logistics sector is paramount.” As the logistics industry continues to evolve, TM65.3 will serve as a dynamic resource, with information continually updated as more manufacturers disclose data and Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) become more prevalent. This ongoing collaboration between CIBSE, Amazon and Introba underscores a shared commitment to sustainability and innovation within the logistics sector. For more information on TM65.3 please visit CIBSE TM65.3 Embodied carbon in building services * Global Material Handling Equipment Markets Report 2023: Market to Reach $193 Billion by 2030 – 3PL, E-Commerce and F&B Manufacturing & Retail Driving Growth (yahoo.com) Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Places for People strengthens Southwest developments team with appointment of new Managing Director

Places for People strengthens Southwest developments team with appointment of new Managing Director

The UK’s leading social enterprise, Places for People has appointed Darren Dancey as the Development Managing Director for the South West. With over 30 years of experience within the property sector, Darren will prove instrumental in strengthening the region and delivering on key strategic business objectives. With extensive experience and excellent knowledge of the South West, Darren started his career at Crest Nicholson in an entry level position and progressed up the career ladder to Managing Director of the South West and Midlands regions, with six years working with the Exec Team and on the main board. He then joined Countryside for three years as Managing Director of the South West, where he successfully started and developed a new region. As one of the UK’s leading placemakers, Places for People is committed to investing in places, creating opportunities, and building thriving communities. In order to ensure that the Social Enterprise can continue to deliver new sustainable communities that address the needs of current and future customers, Places for People is committed to increasing the percentage of projects that it self-builds. In the South West, where only 20% of Places for People homes are currently built by the developer, an ambitious five-year plan is underway to transition to a point where around 70% of new homes will be self-built. In order to achieve this new strategic vision, Darren will be instrumental in growing the region. This expansion will see Places for People generate new jobs for local people across the South West, covering both office-based and on-site roles, including technical, commercial, build, sales, and marketing. Jon Cook, CEO Developments for Places for People comments:“As we seek to strengthen our offering for the communities we serve, our regions will be essential in ensuring we can achieve our target of delivering up to 5,000 homes per year within the next five years. Darren’s expertise operating at the highest level in this region will transform the operating of the region.  Darren will prove to be a great asset and we are excited to see how the region continues to develop under his leadership.” Throughout 2024, Darren and his team will see work start on site at five new developments in Gillingham, Swindon, Exeter, Poundbury and Havant, providing a combined total of over 900 new homes for the region. The region is also continuing with its ongoing delivery of schemes in Bordon, Hampshire and at Poundbury in Dorset. Darren Dancey comments: “Having seen some of Places for People’s latest work through my network on LinkedIn, I was interested to discover more about the social enterprise. The group’s ethos and value is particularly inspiring and I am excited to help shape the next chapter of the South West region as we look to deliver more high-quality, affordable homes.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Developer sought for Blackpool Enterprise Zone land

Developer sought for Blackpool Enterprise Zone land

Announced during UKREiiF, Blackpool Council is seeking a development partner for 30,000 sqm of land at Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone. Work to build an £18m road to access the development plots has started and is expected to complete in late 2025, with the land released slightly earlier for construction. Once the road is open, the site will be accessible by car and HGV just five minutes off the M55 motorway, while it also sits next to Blackpool Airport, which services chartered and business jets, and can operate aircraft up to B737 Max. The site already has been granted planning permission for employment purposes, with the preferred use a series of industrial units catered to the advanced manufacturing, energy, food and drink and digital sectors. The development plots, which could cater for units ranging from 15,000 sq ft to 75,000 sq ft, will be available from summer 2025 and will be targeted for industrial and warehouse use, specifically aimed at advanced manufacturing, energy, food and drink production and digital technology sectors. Plots on the Eastern Gateway will be provided with bell mouths off the highway, landscaping and access to individual secondary substations, while the wider site offers sustainable cycleways and transport routes, as well as green drainage and landscaping. Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone also hosts the ‘North Atlantic Loop’ subsea cable, carrying up to one-third of the world’s internet traffic. This means the site can access high capacity, ultra-low latency access to some of the world’s fastest, most reliable internet speeds. Equally, a data centre quarter – Silicon Sands – is being developed at a separate site on the Enterprise Zone in the coming years. Cllr Mark Smith, Cabinet Member for Levelling Up (Place) at Blackpool Council, said: “The Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone is becoming a premier business destination for the North West, with a number of leading national and international manufacturing companies already located here.  “For developers, we have made great progress on the infrastructure, with power, internet and water being delivered to the site, and a brand-new landscaped access road available next year. With a large element of the risk taken out of the site, this allows a developer to work with us to realise our ambitions of creating more high quality jobs in the local area over the next few years.” The full Expression of Interest (EOI) document can be found at www.blackpoolez.com or by emailing ez@blackpool.gov.uk and developers are asked to submit proposals by 1 July 2024. Support to build the new access road at the Enterprise Zone has been provided through a £7.5m grant from HM Government Town Fund, while architectural support has been provided by Cassidy and Ashton and Wildes Consulting. The highway is being constructed by George Cox & Sons Ltd. For more information on the Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone, visit www.blackpoolez.com.

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Water source heat pump unlocks University of Nottingham net zero ambitions

Water source heat pump unlocks University of Nottingham net zero ambitions

A new aquifer-fed open loop heat pump-based energy centre has been designed to offer the University of Nottingham an effective route to decarbonising its campus with an initial focus on the Law and Social Sciences Building and the Hallward Library. Silcock Leedham Group, an RSK company, has worked on the project with WM Saunders, the project’s lead designers. The Law and Social Sciences Building and Hallward Library, which officially opened in 1960 and 1973, respectively, are currently connected to a gas-fired district heating system commissioned in 1954 to heat the campus. The buildings are to be removed from the network as part of the university’s decarbonisation strategy, and an alternative, sustainable heating and cooling system will be introduced. Work on-site is expected to begin in July 2024 and will include building the water source heat pump infrastructure on campus. Once complete, the new infrastructure is estimated to save around 500 tonnes of CO₂ per annum, according to engineers at Silcock Leedham Group. This is the equivalent of 250 return flights from London to New York or enough CO₂ to fill 500 hot air balloons. Silcock Leedham Group Associate Sean Kitchingman said: “Finding a substantive viable alternative to the current heating system that meets the university’s carbon management plan was a challenge. These are big buildings that were built to older building construction standards and regulations when energy preservation and reducing carbon emissions were not a priority – we needed to find a system that offered sufficient low-carbon heat to maintain internal building temperatures required for learning and comfort and to maximise energy efficiency at the same time. A conversation between the Silcock Leedham Group team and Carbon Zero Consulting led to the mixed open loop water source heat pump energy centre and air source heat pump type solution that the university has opted to install. “To make this possible, the systems will use the abundant groundwater and atmospheric air renewable energy sources to supply the heat pump-based systems. The groundwater will be sourced from the Sherwood Sandstone aquifer, which flows directly below the campus. Once installed, these systems will be low carbon, using the heat energy contained within the surrounding air and groundwater to provide heating and cooling to the buildings at scale.” University of Nottingham Director of Property, Space and Development Andy Nolan said: “The programme of investment in the Law and Social Sciences Building and Hallward Library to improve energy efficiency and connect to a low-carbon energy centre is a key part of the university’s decarbonisation plan. We’re committed to decarbonising how we heat buildings and lowering our use of natural gas – this project is a key part of that.” Alongside the specialist mechanical and electrical engineering and energy and sustainability services brought by the team at Silcock Leedham group, sister company Carbon Zero Consulting provided hydrogeology advice. Carbon Zero Consulting Associate Technical Director Dr Anna Hitchmough said: “The groundwater in the aquifer that sits beneath the university will provide a low-carbon energy source to deliver energy to the new heating system. In order to use this as a resource, an open loop ground source heat pump borehole feasibility study enabled borehole drilling and field testing to be planned. This work allowed detailed design works to establish the most efficient way to harness the energy contained within the water through correct borehole design and placement. As the project progresses, the Carbon Zero Consulting team will assist in detailed borehole testing and gaining full Environment Agency approval and licensing for the works.” Sean said: “Decarbonising these buildings came with numerous engineering, sustainability and energy challenges. The current approach makes the most of the stable and abundant renewable heat energy from the Sherwood aquifer running directly below the campus and the surrounding air. By using a number of abstraction and reinjection boreholes for the ground source heat pump system, we can gain a direct connection to this source. The installation of modern high temperature heat pumps and air source heat pumps serving the air handling units in the Hallward Library will meet the existing heating and cooling demand of the buildings.” The works are expected to take one year after beginning in July Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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