Harrogate 47, North Yorkshire

In order to achieve a net zero carbon economy by 2050, the UK must reduce its total energy consumption and increase the amount of energy it generates from renewable sources. The built environment accounts for approximately 40% of energy use and around 40% of the UK’s total carbon footprint – so improving the energy efficiency of our buildings is critical if we want to reach our net zero targets. Developing high-quality, low-carbon industrial units will contribute positively towards this.

In August 2020 we purchased a 35-acre vacant site near Harrogate, which is suitable for industrial, warehouse and office development, in partnership with Opus North. With planning permission, our plan is to build a mixed-use (general industrial, storage and distribution, and commercial, business and service) development to fulfil the strong demand for employment space in the area – in place of the extant planning consent for “Science Park” use. ‘Harrogate 47’ units will carry high environmental credentials and mostly appeal to SME occupiers.

This development targets a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ level of certification with Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) at A or A+. As well as contributing positively towards the decarbonisation of the built environment, our proposed sustainability initiatives will also improve the health, well-being and productivity of the occupants, and will lead to lower operating costs than alternative properties.