Sustainable Stars | Project synopses:
New Boundaries - Groundwork Pennine Lancashire
Working with various local partners, Groundwork Pennine Lancashire led a project to improve fencing and landscaping on Twin Valley Homes estates. The work was carried out using recycled materials by a group of trainees not in education or employment, providing skills, training and the possibility of apprenticeships upon completion of the scheme.
DIEM
David Inman set up Blackburn-based DIEM limited in 2005. The company provides environmental auditing, environmental management systems and environmental property management services to a whole range of clients. This support has helped companies to realise a wealth of economic, social and environmental benefits including reduced energy use, specialist training, cost savings and lower CO2 emissions.
Shuttleworth College - EDC
A Building Schools for the Future project, Shuttleworth College is designed and built with sustainability in mind. It incorporates a biomass woodchip boiler, natural ventilation, rainwater harvesting, photovoltaics for heating water and generating electricity and a wind turbine. All these measures make it one of the most energy efficient school buildings in the UK and help to educate students about renewable energy.
Burnley Campus - EDC
Burnley Campus is a model of sustainable design, built as part of the Building Schools for the Future programme. The school has been orientated to maximise solar and thermal energy and encompasses a biomass woodchip boiler, heat pump, micro CHP unit, rainwater harvesting, photovoltaic cells and glazing and a wind turbine. Opening in September 2008, the school is aiming to receive a BREEAM 'very good' rating.
Pierrecage Garden Furniture - Handford Design
After sixteen years as a designer, Philippe Handford has combined his skills with a concern for the environment to create a range of stylish and innovative recycled furniture. Made using recycled plastic, stones and galvanised steel; the benches, tables and stools are an environmentally friendly and attractive design solution.
Dexter Biodiesel
An increasing awareness of the climate change inspired Dexter Paints Ltd to set up Dexter Biodiesel. made from recycled vegetable oil, Dexter Biodiesel provides an environmentally friendly fuel alternative that conforms to European standards to a range of customers, including farmers, local authorities, coach companies, small businesses and the general public.
Adactus Housing Group
Seven previously derelict properties on Every Street in Nelson have been transformed using the 'tardis terrace' concept. Traditionally, terraced houses had been seen as small and dark but Adactus have created the feel of loft-style apartment living through clever design and renovation. In terms of environmental benefits, renovation uses less energy, releases less carbon and generates less waste than demolition. Heating and insulation was improved during the work and the use of natural lighting has been maximised throughout.
158 Every Street, Nelson - Heritage Trust Northwest
A typical terraced house in East Lancashire, 158 Every Street is set to become an exemplar of sustainable renovation with heritage preservation at its heart. Using environmentally sustainable low carbon natural materials and technology, 158 will be transformed and monitored to measure its success. Located in a conservation area, 158 will also benefit from the inclusion of heritage skills including lime plastering and joinery.
Private Home Renovation - Jonathan Walker
When renovating his home, Jonathan Walker was committed to the environmental agenda. From recycled wooden floorboards, LED and energy saving lightbulbs, energy monitors, a condensing coiler and A-rated appliances to recycled organic fabric curtains, eco-friendly clay paint, bamboo flooring, recycling and a biodiversity friendly garden; his home is a showpiece of environmental sustainability.
Lakeside Shelter - Altham Oak & Carpentry
Altham Oak has created a stunning shelter in Lancashire. Made from sustainable oak that would previously be seen as a waste product due to its curves. The shelter uses traditional mortice and tenon joints and ergonomic seats to create a beautiful outdoor structure with views over the lake. A sedum covered roof makes sure the whole shelter fits sympathetically into the landscape.
Furniture Recycling - Blackburn with Darwen Churches Action
A group of local clergy set up the furniture recycling initiative after finding out that many parishioners had no means of furnishing their homes. The charity now operates two stores and four recycling training workshops, offering restored second hand furniture and white goods to people who need them. The training workshops give New Deal trainees the skills and experience needed to get back into work and the charity is helping to reduce landfill and reuse perfectly good items.
ACROSS - Accrington and Rossendale College
Traditional craft skills are inherently sustainable as they are based on using natural materials to repair and maintain existing buildings. The ACROSS project was a set of heritage skills training days to encourage contractors to adopt methods of sustainable redevelopment. Key skills targeted included stone masonry, joinery and plasterwork and participants took part in presentations and hands-on experience.
Straw Bale Scout Association Building - East Lancashire Institute of Higher Education
For East Lancashire Institute of Higher Education, this project brings two major benefits; it brings them to the fore of alternative sustainable construction methods as well as providing a 'real life' project for undergraduate students. Working with a number of key partners and due for completion in 2009, the Scout Association building will be built using straw bales and integrate renewable energy sources such as solar panels and a biofuel CHP.
Zero Carbon Homes, Clayton-le-Moors - Campbell Driver Partnership
The regeneration masterplan for a derelict site alongside the Leeds-Liverpool canal has been developed in accordance with sustainable development principles. Over 100 units - terraced houses, villas and apartments - will be built alongside restored Grade II listed buildings along the towpath. The plans have incorporated both passive design techniques and active energy generation.
Duncan Armstrong
Designing properties and small developments in rural locations and AONB involves close consideration to the surrounding landscape and the heritage of the buildings. Duncan Armstrong is committed to retaining the characteristics of a traditional village but at the same time offering the modern conveniences demanded by today's society. As all the buildings are traditional, they employ the use of stone, natural slates and wood - sustainable and potentially reclaimed.
Constructing the Future Low Carbon Directory - Centre for Construction Innovation Northwest
Better understanding of the key issues around low carbon projects means that the issues can be addressed and solutions to pervasive problems can be found. The Low Carbon Directory identifies what low carbon technologies are currently being undertaken; what types of technologies are being engaged with; what regional companies are being used to deliver low carbon projects; and what additional issues are respondents highlighting with regards to low carbon projects.
Halifax Road, Rochdale - Denovo Design
A derelict site alongside Halifax Road has been transformed into seven 3-story houses. Designed in consultation with the local community, the houses meet the needs of the tenants and have environmentally sound features built in. These include low water content radiators, high-efficiency boilers, low energy light fittings, water butts, high level insulation and FSC Certified timber frames.
Blackburn Enterprise Centre - Campbell Driver Partnership
Completed in 2007, Blackburn Enterprise Centre is a great example of utilising renewable energy technologies and water saving techniques in a local authority managed building. Solar thermal panels supplement the hot water provision, rainwater harvesting feeds the WCs and a wind turbine generates electricity.
Pendle Vale School - EDC
A Building Schools for the Future project, Pendle Vale is designed with sustainability in mind. The school has been orientated to maximise solar and thermal energy and encompasses a biomass woodchip boiler, micro CHP unit, rainwater harvesting, photovoltaic cells and glazing and a wind turbine. Due to open in September 2008, the school is aiming to receive a BREEAM 'very good' rating.
Lords House Farm - Pennine Lancashire Construction Education and Training Consortium
PLACE is the Pennine Lancashire Academy for Construction and the Environment. The centre would encompass a carbon neutral building development, alternative and renewable energy demonstrators, sustainable skills, incubator business facilities, educational provision in modern methods of construction, alternative and renewable energy and a visitor centre. It would be a flagship centre for education and innovation in the region and a major contributor to the continued regeneration of Pennine Lancashire.
Friends of Greenfield Road Local Nature Reserve - Lancashire Wildlife Trust
The Friends Group has formed to protect and enhance the Greenfield Road site. The Junior Reserves Rangers has also been set up to encourage younger residents to get involved. Activities including pond dipping, setting up bat and bird boxes and nature walks have already proved popular and the site helps to educate people and all to the biodiversity of the area.
Community Mobile Farm - Pennine Lancashire Community Farm
The Mobile Farm makes horticulture accessible to local people and gets the community working together on an enjoyable project. Taster events, courses and practical skills accredited by the AQA encourage people to get involved to improve the local environment, undertake training and generally have fun.
Community Alliance (Burnley and Padiham)
The Community Alliance moved into the former Healey Wood Infant School in August 2007 creating a centre with meeting, leisure and training facilities. Given the age of the building, it was dependent on an outdated oil fired heating system that was largely unreliable. An air source heat pump has been installed to heat the building - reducing its carbon footprint, energy bills and effectively bringing back to life a important heritage landmark.
Cleaner Greener Griffin Group
The Cleaner Greener Griffin project brings local residents together to keep their neighbourhood looking clean and tidy. Clean up events - where all the rubbish was sorted and recycled, planting up containers and working with local school to educate children about the importance of taking pride in where they live have helped to make the area a much more pleasant place to live.
PROSPECTS Foundation
The PROSPECTS Foundation is a community owned charity. It was set up to support the PROSPECTS Panels in the Hyndburn area, providing advice and guidance and assisting with funding, training and publicity. The Panels work on projects that focus on waste and recycling, biodiversity, local food, sustainable transport and renewable energy and energy efficiency and have helped to get people involved in their local area and improve its environmental sustainability.
Offshoots Permaculture Project
Started in 1997 in the grounds of Towneley Park, Burnley, this project is a showcase of sustainability and permaculture. Open to the public every weekday ad led by local residents, the site is a haven of fascinating and inspiring elements. Four eco-buildings, grey water filtering pond, organic food growing areas, green food waste recycling, bee keeping, a strawbale compost toilet, wind turbine, willow tunnel and charcoal kiln are just some of the things you can explore in this brilliant asset to Pennine Lancashire.
Shop Local - Ribble Valley Conservative Party
Extensive roadworks on the A666 and Burnley Road were affecting the trade of local businesses. This was the motivation behind Jake Berry's 'Shop Local' campaign. Local schools designed a reusable shopping bag carrying the message 'Shop local, save the Rossendale Valley', local shops provided money off vouchers and a publicity campaign raised awareness of the importance and advantages of shopping local - supporting local businesses helps to safeguard the local community.
