Cheadle Eco Business Park is an innovative 115,000 sq ft industrial development targeting BREEAM outstanding and aiming to align with the emerging UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard. We are providing both architectural and sustainability consultancy services to help the client realise the schemes ambitious sustainability aspirations.

In 2022, Stockport Council began searching for a team to develop proposals for a 7-acre site in their ownership on the Bird Hall Land Industrial Estate in Cheadle. The existing layout didn’t meet the needs of potential tenants, and the Council wished to invest in the site and create a new modern facility which could better meet current demand. The Council had secured £4.4m of grant funding to support the development with a focus on enhancing the site’s environmental credentials.

We were successfully appointed to the project and set about developing proposals for the site which would both maximise its potential for employment opportunities whilst being ambitious in its sustainability credentials. To this end, we utilised the skills of both our inhouse architectural and sustainability consultancy teams to develop our design.

Working closely with the client, we developed the brief in order to clearly define the aspirations for an exemplar sustainable development.

We integrated whole life carbon assessment within the design process from RIBA Stage 2, ensuring that whole life carbon was considered alongside cost for assessing options for site layout, form and materiality.

We also worked closely with the Council’s Development Managers, Network Space, to develop, test and refine the proposals prior to a successful planning application in early 2024.

The final approved scheme comprises 115,000 sq ft of industrial space. This spans six units which range in size from 8,000 to 44,000 sq ft.

With the scheme targeting both BREEAM Outstanding and Net Zero Carbon in both construction and operation, our design aims to enhance the surrounding environment and be an exemplar in effective low carbon design.

Each unit will be constructed from an innovative engineered timber frame, facilitating upfront carbon savings to the buildings of 30% compared to a typical steel frame. Optimised steel will used in the reinforced concrete creating a further 10% upfront carbon saving to the buildings. A mix of steel and modified timber will used for the cladding.

A highly insulated envelope will reduce space heating demands, and the office area will benefit from a hybrid natural ventilation system and sunpipes to reduce energy demands.

The landscaping strategy integrates amenity, sustainable urban drainage and biodiversity improvements to significantly enhance biodiversity net gain on site and regenerate an under-utilised brownfield site.

Once complete, it is hoped the development will unlock Cheadle’s economic potential and drive clean growth in the area.