Research on Potential Noise Impacts on the Historic Environment 2014 The work was commissioned by English Heritage in 2014.The project included a literature search and scrutiny of existing methods for the assessment of noise impacts on heritage assets. The output was a methodology for assessing the impact of aviation noise on the setting of heritage assets which formed part of the Airports Commission’s appraisal of their shortlisted proposals for airport expansion. 08 July 2014 Report for – English Heritage Aviation Noise Metric - Research on the Potential Noise Impacts on the Historic Environment by Proposals for Airport Expansion in England, Project No. 6865 Final Report 23 Constructing Excellence in London and the South East | Awards 2014 Medmerry is the largest managed realignment of the coast in Europe and the first in the UK. It has created more than 183 hectares of intertidal wildlife habitat and is already attracting wildlife – compensating for the loss of conservation areas around the Solent. It saved £300,000 pa on flood defence maintenance, removed significant risks for operations staff, created a fish nursery supporting the local fishing fleet, incorporates 10km of new access routes with associated green tourism growth opportunities and maximises wildlife habitat opportunities. A dedicated communications team ensured local concerns were taken into account when formulating the strategy, which has resulted in enhanced buy-in and increased community benefits. The scheme is designed to be resilient to sea level rise for at least 100 years. Over 500 hectares in size, the project required 400,000 cubic metres of clay to build new flood banks. This was sourced from within the site, saving over 40,000 lorry movements and probably 2-3 years in delivery time alone. The ‘borrow pits’ created by excavating the clay were incorporated into the final design, increasing the amount of intertidal habitat. The carbon footprint of constructing the project was further minimised through the production of a 3D model linked to a detailed materials management plan, Realtime GPS data to optimise plant activities, 60,000 tonnes of rock delivered by sea, 20,000 tonnes of recycled aggregate used to construct access tracks, and 90% waste recycled. The new habitat will absorb carbon emissions, making a positive contribution to carbon reduction in the long term. Rising sea levels and the economic challenges of maintaining coastal sea defences will make coastal realignment an increasingly important option. Medmerry is recognised locally, nationally and internationally as an exemplar and one of the most sustainable projects the Environment Agency has delivered. Judges’ comments The sheer scale of this scheme makes the project team’s achievements even more remarkable. They have seized every opportunity to deliver economic, environmental and social sustainability, resulting in a transformation. Not only of local opinion, but also of the Environment Agency’s approach to this kind of challenge. SUSTAINABILITY HIGHLY COMMENDED 2014 Sponsored by Medmerry Managed Realignment Working with the community and nature If everyone buying or renting a new home were able to choose between a home that delivers between 12%-23% electricity savings and one that doesn’t, which one would they choose? The average UK electricity bill is £504 pa (Ofgem). This represents an average across all property types, from studio flats to large dwellings. Most people living in a regular house probably pay around £480-£720 pa. Smartwire is a low cost, repeatable solution that reduces electricity use and saves households money. Smartwire and Relish-it! advice has the potential to make a real difference to both gas and electricity bills. The next generation of Smartwire will cost housebuilders around £300 to install. So, just on average figures alone, it will have paid for itself in reduced bills for householders after 6 years. With rising utility bills and the target to reduce CO2 emissions by 80% by 2050, Smartwire offers an affordable option to slow or even halt upward trends in household fuel bills. Smartwire not only supports the affordable warmth agenda but also kickstarts changes in behaviour. FEATURED FINALIST: Relish SmartwireTM FINALISTS ■ Forest Hill Estates Improvement Programme: L & Q Group ■ Heathrow Terminal 2A: HETCo – A Ferrovial Agroman, Laing O’Rourke Joint Venture ■ Medmerry Managed Realignment: Team Van Oord ■ Newbury Flood Alleviation Scheme: Environment Agency ■ Relish Smartwire™: Relish, Worthing Homes ■ Thameslink Programme: Network Rail ■ WWF Living Planet Centre: Willmott Dixon Construction SUSTAINABILITY WINNER 2014 Sponsored by Terminal 2A is a shining example of what can be achieved when sustainability is embedded throughout the lifecycle of a project. One of the largest privately funded construction projects in the UK, T2A will produce 40% less CO2 than the Terminal 2 and Queens Buildings it replaces, with 20% of the energy coming from renewable sources. This is the most energy, water and resource efficient airport terminal ever built – a fitting gateway for 21st century Britain. T2A was a pilot scheme for the UK’s first BREEAM airport assessment, achieving an ‘excellent’ rating and setting the benchmark for future airport terminals around the globe. Sustainability has been at the heart of the project, embedded and embraced at all levels, from the earliest stages, through to the operation of the finished building. For instance, HETCo implemented a construction sustainability model engaging the client, stakeholders and the supply chain. The ‘Supply Chain Directors Pre Launch’ contractually required the director of every subcontractor to visit the site, understand their environmental responsibilities and agree to meet or surpass HETCo’s stringent sustainability requirements. The sustainability strategy promoted industry- leading sustainability performance across the project, driving innovations such as ‘Green Rooms’ to dramatically reduce waste. Numerous innovations contributed to the creation of T2A. Designers optimised resources and efficiencies by adopting standardisation, prefabrication and modularisation (SPAM) principles, and considering lifecycle and sustainability issues in the selection of materials. The terminal ceiling is dominated by a ‘soffit fabric’ – a white tensile PTFE coated fibreglass which not only improves the passenger experience, but also provides intuitive wayfinding through the ceiling undulations. Sophisticated lighting control systems reduce energy use by switching off lights when areas are not in use or when daylight is bright enough. The terminal is powered by renewable energy, with 1,000m2 of photovoltaics and one of the largest biomass boilers in the UK. The boiler uses FSC approved woodchip, sourced within 100 miles of the airport. 100% of the ash produced will be recycled and blended with existing secondary agricultural fertilizer. Its design and construction has supported 35,000 jobs nationwide. From design to completion, the project has taken six years, with more than 200 suppliers, 25,000 workers (including a peak workforce of over 4,000) and challenging timescales – all while working within the live operational environment of the world’s third busiest airport. T2A’s sustainability achievements are all the more impressive given the scale, deadlines and logistical challenges associated with this project. Judges’ comments The approach taken was highly collaborative from the start, with real supply chain engagement and enthused suppliers. HETCo demonstrated leadership in sustainability across the board – from strategy, through to detailed working on site. The project embraces all aspects of sustainability – economic, social and environmental and HETCo’s commitment to sharing best practice will help to move ‘standard practice’ up a gear. Heathrow Terminal 2A 22 Constructing Excellence in London and the South East | Awards 2014 A Clear Choice for the UK:Technology Options forTacklingAir Pollution 2015 Temple conducted the research on behalf of the EIC. In 2015 this report was very timely given the recent UK Supreme Court judgement on the UK’s inability to meet the EU Pollution limits. Five technology scenarios were examined (modelled).The report identified the impact some of these technologies could make and how policy could be reshaped to enable this. The use of Marginal Abatement Cost curves provided a compelling way to illustrate the relative costs and carbon reduction potential of the different technologies. The study clearly demonstrated how a range of different solutions could significantly improve air quality in the short-term with further benefits through to 2030. It also found that NOx and PM10 emissions could be substantially reduced at little or no overall cost. Proud sponsors of Construction ExcellenceAwards From 2014 These awards are run by Secbe (South East Construction Built Environment) and are widely acknowledged as an important partner to accelerate the progress required to achieve the vision set out in the 2025 Industrial Strategy. The awards focus attention on many of the most important issues for our sector and recognise the very best companies, collaborators and projects to help inspire others. Temple has sponsored the Sustainability award for the past three years.This role has involved vetting applications, interviews and a judging panel day, followed up by a Sustainability Focus Group facilitated and hosted by Temple to ensure important initiatives are captured and disseminated amongst all interested parties.The latter has proved very popular and an important vehicle in setting a new benchmark for best practice.