A multi million pound extension to pump manufacturer Watson-Marlow has become the first building of its kind in Cornwall to attain BREEAM ‘excellent’ rating – a measure of environmental sustainability in buildings.
According to statistics from BRE, there have been 15 industrial certifications in Cornwall, and Watson-Marlow’s new plant is currently the only BREEAM – Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method – building to be rated as ‘excellent’.
It is also the only industrial assessment to go through the PCR – post construction review – assessment stage, which means that the plant was assessed as it was being built and not just at the design stage.
The Watson-Marlow expansion was one of the first projects to be approved for ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) Convergence investment. The £7.3 million expansion has been supported by £769,000 of ERDF Convergence and £256,000 from the South West RDA, with the large part of the investment coming from the company’s own funds.
The building was completed on time and on budget with an official opening held on October 14.
Christopher Gadsden, managing director of Watson Marlow, said: “We are delighted with our new building. The BREEAM influence on the design has helped to ensure that it has very high levels of insulation, makes best use of natural daylight and has rainwater harvesting for both the new building and our existing plant. This will help to ensure that the cost of running the building – and its impact on the environment – will be minimised.”
Carleen Kelemen, director of the Convergence Partnership Office for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, added: “This ERDF Convergence investment is supporting ambitious businesses like Watson Marlow to provide higher value jobs and business activity. The Convergence partnership is investing in greener build to move us closer to a Low Carbon economy. Congratulations to all involved in this achievement.”
Ian Whale, infrastructure manager at the South West RDA who handles applications for ERDF Convergence investment for workspace projects, said: “The RDA is committed to leading the development of a low carbon economy in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and the new Watson-Marlow facility is an excellent exampe of the high environmental standards that can be achieved by new buildings.”
Environmental features include high levels of insulation, rain water recovery and air locks to all external doors to minimise heat loss and keep the atmosphere clean. The building has been sunk into the slope of the land to minimise visual impact, and 75% of the topsoil and spoil from the excavation was reused. More than 9,500 plants have been used in landscaping, including 25 oak trees.
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