Sustainable development

A further important aim of the overall MSA proposal is to achieve a number of sustainable a number of sustainable development objectives:

• an 80% cut in energy compared with a traditional MSA
• at least a 20% improvement over Part L2A 2006
• 10% of its energy from on site renewable technologies
• an 'Excellent' BREEAM rating

Energy
 

The design team have applied a holisitic approach to the design of the building to save both energy and carbon emissions. The design process has followed the natural energy hierarchy, firstly by implementing passive design features to reduce energy use, then employing carbon efficient technologies and finally by applying renewable energy solutions.

Water

Water conservation within the building will be carefully considered to reduce the volume of water used and conserve where possible. The building will have significant water demand resulting from the use of the toilets and washroom facilities in particular but also via the catering demand. In order to limit water use it is intended that following features be incorporated: rainwater harvesting, low water construction methods, low water landscaping, low flow or water saving sanitary appliances and kitchen equipment and finally, leak detection and control.

A sustainable drainage system has been designed as part of the masterplan which uses swales, ponds and wetlands to naturally attenuate and clean water run -off such that the water draining from the site is clean and released to local water courses no faster than it is at present.

Construction

Materials for the building where possible will be locally sourced and where they are not readily available effort will be made to source them from the UK before looking at European products. As a whole the building will be constructed using traditional materials utilizing traditional craft based skills to deliver a contemporary high quality building. The buildings have been designed in a way that promote the use of local skills and labour forces. The team will work with the contractor to reduce waste from the site and endeavour to build the MSA building in an efficient and sustainable way.

Transport

The existing footpaths on site will be retained and some improved to incorporate cycle routes to promote a staff cycle scheme.  The project will operate a fleet of minibuses for staff to get to work, ensuring that car journeys are kept to a minimum. Suppliers will be encouraged to share transport for deliveries.  The services will be looking to install the latest low carbon/ low pollution fuels and are aiming to provide future provision for charging points for electirc vehicles.

Waste

The operators will work with suppliers to minimise packaging and waste. The majority of retail and catering waste will either be compacted and recycled, or composted on-site used within the gardens.

Ecology

Currently the site is low grade agricultural grassland and has little ecological value. Measures will be taken throughout the landscape to increase bio-diversity. Hedges, grasslands, wetlands and woods will be planted with native species which encourage wildlife.  The team is currently working in partnership with local environmental groups to ensure the scheme is planted and maintained correctly.

The potential for significant air quality and noise impact has been examined as part of the environmental assessment which identified that no significant adverse impact will arise from the development proposal.

The planning application for Gloucestershire Gateway Services was submitted on Friday 18 December 2009 to Stroud District Council. Details of the submitted application can be found by clicking the following link which takes you to the Local Planning Authority's website.