Vospers new Exeter supersite scores highly for sustainability

Vospers has received construction industry recognition for a host of sustainability and efficiency measures at their £12m supersite in Exeter.

The car dealer’s new 61,215 square foot state-of-the-art facility at Matford, opening late 2018, will feature a new FordStore and five new showrooms for Ford, Mazda, Fiat, Jeep and Alfa Romeo.

Vospers CEO Nick Vosper said: “Our new facility is a great example of a large scale sustainable development and best practice in construction. Our long-term banking partner Lloyds Commercial supported us with funding for the purchase and development of the new site, and the approval of our application was in part motivated by the project’s targeted BREEAM rating.”

BREEAM (Building Research Establishment’s Environmental Assessment Method) is the world’s leading and most widely used environmental assessment method for buildings. The design target, for the new Vospers site is a BREEAM rating of Very Good, with a predicted score of 59.52%.

One of the key considerations for Vospers and the project’s contractor APP has been to ensure the well-being of people who work on site and live nearby.

As well as making sure footpaths and cycle lanes can stay open throughout the build phase, APP has registered the site with the Considerate Constructors Scheme, designed to ensure the clean appearance of the site, to respect the local community, protect the environment and secure everyone’s health and safety involved in the project.

Other sustainability measures include the recycling of aggregates and the consistent monitoring of energy and water use during construction. Procedures have also been put in place and training provided to those on site to reduce the risk of air and ground water pollution. Where possible, materials are locally sourced and waste is recycled.

Environmental considerations have also been built into the design, to ensure ongoing sustainability standards are met.

Low flow rate fittings in all toilet, kitchen and wet areas will cut water use. Water in the car wash area will be collected, treated and reused on site. Bin stores will include containers for separate recyclable waste.

Energy saving measures within buildings, including highly efficient heating, cooling and ventilation systems and heat recovery and air source heat pumps, will minimise energy use and carbon emissions

The site’s innovative design will also deliver an optimum environment for staff and customers, with naturally lit and climate-controlled interior spaces and attractive outdoor landscaped areas.

An ecology report has been carried out and recommendations adopted for improving the ecology of the site after the building work is complete.

The new supersite will see the consolidation of Vospers’ three current sites  in Exeter, all relocating to the new Matford Way development,  next to the recently opened Audi site and opposite Jaguar and Land Rover.
 
Work to construct the steel frame and the roof has recently been completed, with the glazing currently being installed. The projected completion date is this autumn.