Sustainability in our projects
Strategic Environmental Assessment
Sustainability and environmental impact are topics that have been at the heart of the development of the Masterplan. A Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) has been produced and this has been a crucial informing document. The SEA has been developed in order to understand, and mitigate, the potential environmental impacts of any future development.
The SEA also provides a framework for how the University can develop in a sustainable manner. It involves obtaining detailed information in relation to;
- flood risk
- traffic impacts
- noise, ecology
- landscape and trees
- socioeconomic impact
- ground conditions
- archaeology.
Therefore, the SEA should be referred to if further information on sustainability and environmental impact is required.
BREEAM ratings
We set out to meet those levels set in the service level agreement in terms of;
- management
- carbon reduction
Environmentally friendly materials and designs
The new workshop meets high environmental standards utilising natural lighting to;
- reduce energy use
- a green roof to control surface run off
- good ventilation.
Ethical suppliers and procurement
We work carefully to ensure that suppliers following our procurement guidelines. This includes ethical procurement to ensure that suppliers follow the guidelines that we advice our suppliers to follow.
Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS)
All our building’s heating and ventilation systems are controlled centrally via BEMS. This allows us to control the temperature levels by recording data and monitoring them. The system then allows us to predict more carefully the weather during certain periods of the year and respond by keeping the temperature levels within certain levels. This helps us to use our heating more efficiently and help cut carbon emissions.
Conservation
All our buildings undergo rigorous stages of project planning which involves looking at how the future building will interact and impact on the local landscape.
This is a process we feel is important to make sure our buildings cause minimum impact on the local environment and will help conserve the area that will be affected. There are various policies we have in place for conservation areas as well as working with statutory bodies to ensure we adhere to local building regulations.
These usually undergo a period of public consultation to ensure as much information can be gathered as possible, educate and inform people on what the project will involve.
