With the tightening of building regs, the new Environmental Act and the ‘race to zero’, the spotlight is very much on developers, main contractors and their supply chain to adopt more sustainable building practices. In our latest BLOG we showcase how Red Key Concepts Design & Build embraced this to help bring to market a stunning new development of old and new in a sensitive ecological area…
Background
Red Key Concepts Design & Build were appointed as Main Contractors for ‘Foxbury Farm’, an incredibly fascinating and diverse development in leafy Sevenoaks.
Project works included converting a stunning listed 6 roundel oast house into 3 luxury apartments, building 6 spacious timber framed units for a secured Housing Association, converting 3 existing farm buildings into 3 bed detached houses and the creation of 9 new build timber framed houses.
This very exciting development showcases 4 completely different build types and the delivery of 4 totally different styles of residences on completion.
Key Considerations
As well as working within the strict building and planning remits, the Housing Association dwellings were required to maintain the vernacular requirements whilst utilising modern timber frame construction and traditional Kent Rag stone to achieve an external maintenance free result.
The build and conversion on the grade II listed 6 roundel oast house, which is also Kentish ragstone and Kent peg roof, had to be carried out according to the conservation and listed building requirements.
The 9 new build properties provide a pallet of mixed finishes comprising of weatherboarding, tile hanging and brickwork with lime mortar. The roof finishes are also a mixture of slate and plain tiles to create a stable courtyard feel sympathetic with the surroundings.
Sustainability – ‘ECO System Preservation & Uplift’
From conception to delivery we have had to meet and adhere to the end users specification requirements whilst being sympathetic to the conservation area and natural environment that the development sits in.
A full environmental survey was carried out at the start of the project as we had a strong indication that due to the location of the site reptile mitigation may be required. We instructed LLoyd Bore to provide a range of services and undertake ecological appraisals, complete all protected and priority species surveys, design mitigation strategies and produce impact assessments to inform project design and planning.
Lloyd Bore and their Ecology team also undertook on-site ecological mitigation works on our behalf, provided a full Ecological Clerk of Work’s’ service and their conservation agents carried out a reptile study and ecological survey along with tree protection measures.
They also carried out initial bat surveys, intrusive surveys and they were in attendance as and when requested, alongside Hillwood and Co who have undertaken the external landscaping and 5 year management plan in conjunction with this. They developed a naturalised scheme along with the external landscaping which features native hedging and planting in the development.
We also worked together with Natural England to provide a continued habitat for the varied species of bats uncovered, to include a breeding colony, enhanced, native planting and landscaping design.
This was an incredibly specialized area of investigation and execution which was carried out with the utmost professionalism.
Sustainability – ‘Building Fabric & Energy Efficiency’
Timber frame construction comes with a number of benefits… All timber used was FSC accredited & sourced timber through our subcontractor OFP Timber Frame, significantly reducing the amount of embodied carbon in the project vs. a traditonal block and brick approach.
Additional benefits in utilising timber frame include excellent insulation and energy efficiency properties, durability and easy maintenance for the future. Timber frame construction also allowed us to opt for ‘off-site’ manufacture route or modular build and due to the limited access and delivery to the site itself has significantly reduced the number of deliveries required.
High efficiency aluminum windows are installed in all of the dwellings with exception of the listed building oast and farmhouses. This ensured high air tightness levels and they are also highly recyclable.
A direct benefit from the resulting overall thermal efficiency of the timber framed units has been the inclusion of air source heat pumps to further minimise the ‘whole life’ carbon footprint of the development.
LED lighting was recommended and has been spec’d throughout the development which means a longer lifespan and improved energy efficiency and environmental performance.
Lime and mortar ragstone features have enhanced the aesthetics of the building and retained the traditional element which was the remit from planning. It meant that less cement required was on site too helping cut down on the amount of embodied carbon in the project!
We have also retained an element of ‘as dug’ sand for re use throughout the development which again reduces the carbon footprint and recycles a valuable resource.
Also included are ample EV car charging points to encourage and support the use of electric cars which directly benefits the community through a cleaner environment, lower vehicle running costs and reduced noise pollution.
All site staff were also encouraged to car share as much as they possibly could and as much as Covid guidelines would allow. Due to the challenges of site access (being based off country lanes) we have a had full-time banksman employed to ensure that deliveries to and from the site are properly managed thus limiting the disruption to the local community. Especially when there is a busy primary school in operation just minutes form the site!
Summary
A stunning 21-unit residential development showcasing the innovative and sustainable methods adopted to incorporate the old with the new. Listed roundel oast houses providing contemporary living space with original features next to 6 new build units for English Rural offering luxury accommodation at affordable prices.
This project demonstrates how an original and very run-down cold store warehouse with ‘out houses’ can be transformed into a much sought-after residential development and can provide much needed housing for the area, including social housing enabling the government to meet it’s stated aim that everyone should have the opportunity to access a good-quality and affordable home.
Charley Gremo-Gilham is Director and Co Founder of Red Key Concepts Design & Build.