First BREEAM Communities status awarded

Peel’s MediaCityUK has become the first development in the world to receive a BREEAM approved sustainable community status, incorporating leading technology and solutions into the design of the £500m development. Phase 1 of MediaCityUK has included many features to meet the BREEAM criteria, in particular using its greatest asset, water from the Manchester Ship Canal in the production of power, heating and cooling for the buildings on the 36-acre site.

Buildings including the 371 apartments, the 216-bed-hotel and the seven HD and two audio studios will benefit from the use of a combined heat and power plant energy system known as Tri-Gen, which has many benefits including reducing Co2 emissions.

David Glover, Construction Director for Peel, said: “We have developed an extremely good relationship with BRE Global and are proud to become the first sustainable community in the world. We will continue to work with BRE Global and our partners to ensure MediaCityUK continues to explore new ways of being sustainable”.

BREEAM Communities certification helps planners and developers improve measures and independently certify the sustainability of development proposals at the planning stage.

Chapman Taylor’s Manchester team has been working on the detailed design and the delivery of the project, with Phase 1 completing early next year.