Metroplex Park in Tolworth is a development Chancerygate is delivering in partnership with specialist sustainable and impact investor Bridges Fund Management.
Development director Matthew Young explains how the scheme’s design and construction maximises its ESG (environmental, social and governance) credentials.
Targeting high ESG metrics
ESG represents a growing priority for the built environment and the urban logistics sector. As such, developers need to consider how a scheme can become an economic asset to the locality in a more responsible, sustainable way.
One of the most recognisable ESG markers is a scheme’s BREEAM accreditation. BREEAM is an independent assessment which rates the sustainability of buildings during both its construction and operation and is regularly updated with the latest technologies and best practice.
This holistic assessment includes reviewing energy and water use, internal environment quality, health and wellbeing measures, pollution, transport, materials, waste and ecology.
Metroplex Park in Tolworth has achieved an Excellent BREEAM rating meaning the development has met high standards across the range of assessment areas.
Addressing a scheme’s carbon footprint
The built environment currently accounts for nearly 40 per cent of global emissions. So a considerable ESG focus area is considering energy efficiency measures for a development to mitigate its carbon footprint.
Emissions can be addressed at the infancy stages of a development. During the construction phase, we calculate the materials’ embodied emissions and the energy utilised throughout the build.
This allows us to fully understand our development’s carbon footprint so potential alternatives, such as material choice, procurement and sourcing of materials, can be considered.
At Chancerygate, we continually review our design and construction processes to integrate low carbon solutions for all our developments and assets.
Addressing carbon emissions is also important for complying with MEES regulations, which presently require commercial properties to meet an EPC E rating. By 2027, properties will need to be at least a C and a B by 2030.
For Metroplex Park, we have achieved an EPC A+ rating for energy efficiency on all units. An EPC A+ target means the scheme has obtained the highest possible rating, significantly ahead of MEES legislation.
To achieve this rating, the development is built using high-quality insulating materials, has controlled air tightness to reduce air leakage and integrates energy efficient equipment. Air source heat pumps and solar panels are also used to generate operational energy for the units.
As such, the scheme has achieved as a minimum a 102 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions over Part L of the Building Regulations (2013) and is also net zero carbon for regulated energy. The development’s internal water usage rates are no greater than 105 litres per person per day.
Addressing carbon emissions also significantly benefits occupiers. It can reduce running costs, such as energy bills, and provide occupiers with more certainty and control around operational expenditure.
For example, a unit which was built in the 1990s and has undergone no refurbishment would cost around 15 times more to run when compared to one of Chancerygate’s new-build units. In addition, a unit which was built in 2009 would cost more than five times the amount to run. This demonstrates the evolution and importance of sustainable development practices within the property sector.
Acknowledging sustainable transport trends
For a development to consider fully its ESG credentials, it must be equipped to meet wider sustainability trends. The growing shift towards electric vehicles (EVs) is a key example of this.
The Department for Transport’s Zero Emissions Mandate requires 70 per cent of new vans sold in Great Britain to be zero emission by 2030, increasing to 100 per cent by 2035. This will significantly increase demand for EV charging infrastructure at developments.
Metroplex Park has been designed with nine dual active charging points and ducting is in place to allow these to be installed at all of the other parking spaces.
Other ‘green’ forms of transport also need to be acknowledged. At Metroplex Park 10 external bike shelters with additional facilities inside the units have been installed to encourage cycling.
Supporting health, wellbeing and biodiversity
Metroplex Park meets high standards for the health and wellbeing of tenants, which is another important ESG credential, covering visual and thermal comfort and indoor air quality.
The design includes more than 70 new trees, alongside an amenity area for tenants with seating and native species planting.
This represents a biodiversity net gain for the development and an urban greening enhancement for the area, which is in contrast to the site’s previous use as open storage and car parking facility.
Working with the local community
Developing Metroplex Park presented an opportunity to support the local community, which is a key element of any ESG credentials. We achieved this by providing charitable donations and work experience to local students.
We donated funds to Dysart School, which is less than a mile from Metroplex Park, to go towards two new ULEZ-compliant minibuses. Dysart School provides for pupils with a broad range of severe and complex learning disabilities.
Two students studying at nearby Kingston University also gained direct experience of a construction site for the first time, thanks to the Chancerygate Foundation.
The Foundation supports students from British African and Caribbean heritage, a significantly underrepresented demographic in the property sector, to access and thrive in a career in property.
An ESG-centric development
Developing urban logistics with strong ESG will ensure the sector fulfils its economic role, but in a more sustainable, responsible way.
This is a key priority for Chancerygate. Each development we undertake aims to achieve the highest standards and we continually strive to push the boundaries and our ESG credentials.
Metroplex Park exemplifies this and demonstrates how we deliver responsible schemes which benefit the environment, occupiers and the local community.
To find out more about our approach to ESG at Metroplex Park, call Matthew Young on DL: 020 7657 1886, M: 07853 085513 or E: myoung@chancerygate.com.