Sustainability

Sustainability is high on the Government’s agenda, particularly regarding concerns about climate change as confirmed by The Stern Review in October 2006. See below for:

our specialist contact
detailed sustainability services
examples of previous projects

"environmental sustainability is not an option, it is a necessity"

Gordon Brown, April 2006

Millard Consulting recognises the importance of achieving the required standards whilst ensuring viable and deliverable solutions. We draw upon our full range of engineering and environmental expertise to provide innovative, effective and sustainable advice.

Our services include:

calculation of carbon footprints
design of community energy generation schemes
EcoHomes and Code for Sustainable Homes
energy appraisals and carbon emission calculations
environmental / sustainability assessments, including BREEAM
feasibility studies for energy generation from renewable sources
low and zero carbon housing developments
SAP assessments
sustainability appraisals
sustainable drainage (SUDS)
water conservation

Services

Sustainability appraisals

A sustainability appraisal assesses the extent to which development proposals contribute to sustainable development. The development is assessed against National, Regional and Local objectives, and the proposals are measured using a range of indicators to establish performance when compared to best practice standards. Areas covered include:

business
climate change and energy
community
ecology
place making
resources
transport and movement

Sustainability appraisals can be used by developers to demonstrate the performance of their proposed development, for instance as evidence for PPS25 flood risk “exception tests”. Additionally planners and developers may use it to compare the sustainability of different development site options at Local Plan stage.

BREEAM, EcoHomes and the Code for Sustainable Homes

Millard Consulting is licensed by the BRE to undertake BREEAM, EcoHomes and the new Code for Sustainable Homes assessments that are required by funding bodies such as the Housing Corporation, and by many planning authorities as a condition of planning consent.

These schemes provide a clear measure of building performance against a set of standards generally regarded as the benchmark for environmental performance in the UK.

Energy appraisals and carbon footprints

It is increasingly important to consider carbon dioxide emissions from our places of work so that carbon footprints can be managed, reduced and accurately reported to stakeholders and customers. Typically, energy appraisals and carbon footprinting can:

measure and quantify energy use and efficiency
identify and prioritise areas with the greatest savings potential
produce a strategy for changes
calculate corporate carbon footprints for marketing purposes
satisfy requirements of investors and customers
identify strategies to become low carbon or carbon neutral

Water conservation, sustainable drainage and SUDS

Planning authority policy for sustainable construction and the Code for Sustainable Homes requires significant levels of water efficiency, conservation and recycling. It is also necessary to implement sustainable drainage systems, limiting discharge of surface water to pre-development run-off rates. Options to be considered include water efficient appliances, grey water recycling and rainwater harvesting.

Sustainable drainage design often requires consideration of many alternatives or combinations which necessitate detailed computer analysis to provide the optimum solution. Millard Consulting can carry out studies outlining options and describing the proposals for achieving the required levels of performance, as well as detailed design, contract preparation and supervision.

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

To achieve the government’s objectives for combating climate change, it is necessary to demonstrate that homes and buildings will be energy efficient and that carbon dioxide emissions will be significantly reduced - through ensuring high levels of energy efficiency, as well as an element of energy provision by renewable energy sources.

Planning authorities often require a percentage of the predicted energy demand to be met by renewable energy generation on site, the so called “Merton Rule”. To investigate options and demonstrate a viable strategy for delivery of these requirements Millard Consulting provide studies for submission with planning applications. Studies normally include:

calculations for the predicted energy requirement in accordance with a recognised energy bench mark
a feasibility study to consider options for renewable energy supply – including solar thermal hot water systems, photovoltaic cells, wind turbines, heat pumps, biomass, CHP (combined heat and power)

The study will consider possible designs, system size, CO2 savings, cost, visual/environmental impact, site suitability, availability of fuel supply and maintenance. Millard Consulting can also provide all post planning stages, from detailed design to contract placement and administration, including supervision of installations.

Our expertise in conventional utility service connections and internal building services for developments enables us to sensibly and seamlessly integrate the planning and design of alternative “green energy” systems with traditional fossil fuel supplies.

SAP assessments

The standard assessment procedure (SAP) is the UK Governments's tool for assessing energy performance of dwellings. Millard Consulting are authorised SAP Assessors through NHER and can assess the energy performance of your building.

Energy costs, environmental impact of CO2 emissions and compliance with Building Regulations is calculated for the proposed dwelling and confirmed at the design and post-construction phases.

Specialist

Graham Gilleberg

Director

graham.gilleberg@millardconsulting.co.uk

With over 24 years experience, Graham joined Millard Consulting in 2004 having previously worked in both private practice and local authority.

Graham's extensive knowledge includes design, planning, project management, co-ordination and contract preparation for roads, sewers and utilities infrastructure networks.

"keen guitar player and erstwhile recording studio owner"

Increasingly involved in sustainable construction and climate change, he now leads the environmental team in the Norwich office providing specialist advice on a range of green issues that encompass the Code for Sustainable Homes, BREEAM assessments and renewable energy generation.

Case study

Frizland Allotments, Dagenham, Essex - Persimmon Homes

This 100 unit housing development is being built to a high level of sustainable construction, with all units achieving Code for Sustainable Homes level 4 standard.

Millard Consulting provided pre-planning advice on cost effective strategies to achieve the required standards which included a feasibility study to determine an appropriate solution, to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by at least 44%.

Following approval of the planning application, detailed design work has included road and sewer infrastructure design, sub and super-structure design including piled foundations, and a comprehensive engineering package to deliver the renewable energy solution. Ground source heat pumps using vertical collector loops will be provided in all houses and blocks of flats.

Millard consulting has also been appointed as the Code for Sustainable Homes assessor, and is working closely with the developer to ensure the required code level 4 is achieved.