- Qualis has received planning approval for eight industrial units within the Brooker Road Industrial Estate in Waltham Abbey. Each unit will offer from 2,500sqft of commercial space.
- A comprehensive sustainability-first approach to design and construction will deliver a carbon neutral scheme that exceeds building regulation targets for energy efficiency and supports Epping Forest District Council in achieving its 2030 net zero objectives.
- Design details include a high thermal performance envelope, external green landscaping (including a bug hotel cycle store structure) and over 200 solar cells.
- The regeneration project is set to attract new commercial enterprise into the area and builds on success of Qualis’ recently completed Waltham Connect.
- On completion, the units will be let by Qualis.
Eight carbon-neutral, sustainable industrial units will be delivered within the Brooker Road Industrial Estate following approval by Epping Forest District Council (EFDC) Planning Committee last week.
The new industrial units will replace three existing buildings on Cartersfield Road which have reached the end of their design life. Taking the opportunity to redevelop the site and attract new commercial enterprise, the project will deliver eight new commercial warehouse units from 2,500sqft, suitable for classes B2 (General Industrial) and B8 (Storage and Distribution). The project design follows Qualis’ recently completed Waltham Connect project to the south.
The new carbon neutral units are set to achieve the highest energy efficiency rating of A+, BREAMM sustainability certification of ‘excellent’, as well as meeting the Secure by Design commercial standards for safety.
The opportunity
EFDC appointed Qualis to develop proposals for the council-owned site in July 2024.
Boasting exceptional transport connectivity, located just a few minutes from Junction 26 of the M25 and three miles of the A10, the c.54,000sqft site presents an enviable regeneration opportunity set to attract new enterprise, create more jobs and help support the local economy.
Sustainability first
EFDC declared a Climate Emergency in 2019 and passed a motion to do everything within its power to become a carbon neutral district by 2030. This includes delivery of carbon neutral infrastructure projects.
While industrial units may seem initially at odds with the idea of carbon neutrality, Ian Mudge, Head of Portfolio Management at Qualis, explains why this in fact presents a bigger opportunity.
“We need to tackle carbon emissions in every aspect of what we do, and this includes in industry which currently produces around 14% of all carbon emissions in the UK.
“We set ourselves a target to develop proposals for a scheme that would push us beyond our planning regulation requirements to deliver a scheme that would ultimately be carbon neutral.
“By its very nature, delivering an industrial scheme that focuses on sustainability at all stages of the life cycle – from planning, construction and all the way through to operations – is challenging, but by taking a comprehensive approach and working closely with our team of experts, we have been able to develop proposals which achieve this.”
A comprehensive approach to sustainability
Putting sustainability first is centre to the proposals for the redevelopment of the units.
As a brownfield site, consideration is given to demolition of the existing buildings on site. A waste audit will be carried out prior to construction and materials recycled wherever possible. This ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ mantra is carried throughout the project lifecycle. Materials selected throughout construction will have longevity, so that they do not need to be repaired/replaced often, and a high level of recyclability, so that when they are replaced, they can be disposed of sustainably.
The design features a fabric-first approach to energy efficiency to prevent heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer. High levels of thermal insulation, efficient window glazing and an ‘airtight’ construction have been incorporated to help reduce the overall energy demand of the units. Once operational, these measures will also play a vital role in securing the occupant’s thermal comfort and reduce the peak heating load of the building.
Active energy efficiency measures also feature in the proposals, with Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) air-source heat pump systems and 200 solar cells set to provide low-carbon energy to the units. Low-energy lighting and water efficient taps, showers and toilets will also be incorporated throughout.
The commitment to sustainability does not end with completion of the units too, with Qualis committing to five years carbon emissions monitoring on successful delivery of the project.
Delivery timeline and occupation
Demolition of the existing units on site has already begun with construction of the new units then to follow.
“We are confident that our proposals for Cartersfield Road will add long-term value to the Brooker Road Industrial Estate,” said Ian.
“Sustainable, energy efficient, modern facilities in a fantastic location – we’re anticipating huge demand from both existing and new businesses for the space.”
The units will be marketed by Qualis and their agents closer to completion. To find out more and register your interest, please email hello@qualisgroup.com in the first instance.
The existing units before and under demolition
