CEG
Climate considerate design
CEG is a property development and investment business, managing a c10million sq ft portfolio of business space around the UK as well as developing c 8,500 acres of land. With about 45% of CO2 emissions in the UK coming from energy used in our homes and buildings, we recognise that as a business we have a responsibility to address carbon emissions from our developments and to design and deliver them in such a way as to influence the behaviours of those who use them.
Two of our major new developments are located in Leeds, at Kirkstall Forge (see artist's impression above) and CEG South Bank. These schemes will bring forward 2.7million sq ft of residential, retail and commercial property over the next 10 years.
Reducing car dependency is a core part of our approach, targeting emissions reductions and facilitating improved occupant health and wellbeing through car clubs, electric vehicle charging points, cycle points and bus networks. We have worked in conjunction with Leeds City Council, Network Rail and WYCA to deliver the new Kirkstall Forge railway station which opened in July 2016, delivering greener travel modes into the city in just 6 minutes.
Number One Kirkstall Forge is a BREEAM Excellent and EPC A rated building, which tackles carbon reductions in use through passive design and energy efficiency measures. A 200m2 solar pv array generates electricity which is used within the landlord areas therefore reducing occupiers’ service charge. The building has the potential to adapt to future technologies and environmental conditions, including space provisions for additional cooling. Our South Bank development will also include provisions for connection to the LCC District Heating Schemes.
Our cutting edge consultants, such as Hoare Lea in Leeds, are helping us to future-proof our developments and ensure they are resilient to climate change. We’ve also started to deliver a new flood alleviation channel at Kirkstall Forge, mitigating flood risk to businesses and homes at the development as well as reducing the risk of flooding of the railway line between Apperley Bridge and Leeds. We have contributed significantly to the Flood Alleviation Scheme along the route of the Hol Beck as part of wider strategy to protect the city centre from future flood events.
Our cutting edge consultants, such as Hoare Lea in Leeds, are helping us to future-proof our developments and ensure they are resilient to climate change
We recognise that we have taken positive steps but that we are early in our sustainability journey. As a business we are moving away from certifications, with a focus on occupant-centred design in use and demonstrable performance. We are keen to collaborate and share both the good news and challenges we’ve faced along the way.
In our experience, improving sustainability performance should be client-led and requires a whole team approach to be truly successful. Holistic design is a primary consideration and vital to a successful development.
Jon Kenny, Development Director of CEG, said: "It’s our responsibility as a significant UK property developer to explore and utilise the latest technologies and ideas to minimise the carbon emissions associated with our developments. We can’t and don’t ignore the effects of climate change. Ultimately we believe in transparency and our objective is to continuously learn and improve the buildings we deliver.”
