Net Zero At Tower Bridge Business Park

The Duchy of Lancaster has completed the refurbishment of a large warehouse at Tower Bridge Business Park in London, with a scheme which the team hopes will set the standard for future commercial refurbishment schemes.

When Unit A became void in 2022, the Duchy took the opportunity to review its refurbishment proposals so that these could be clearly aligned to the organisation’s sustainability ambition and objectives. The design team then developed new proposals which included office heating and cooling systems powered by air source heat pumps, the addition of 305 solar PV panels to the roof (generating an estimated 117,000 kWh per annum), the installation of new double-glazed windows, insulated doors and roller shutters and the provision of six electric Podpoint 7kW chargers on site. The project also included the creation of a new lockable, covered cycle store with a green roof and four new staff shower rooms.

Extensive planting has taken place on site, including twenty new native species trees and 140 metres of new pollinator-friendly hedging. In addition, twenty-four swift boxes have been built into the eaves to the rear elevation with a further four bird boxes and five invertebrate boxes added to the existing trees.

As a consequence of the scheme, the biodiversity assessment on completion demonstrated a twenty per cent net gain in habitat units and a 100 per cent net gain in hedgerow units. The building has received an EPC rating of A+ in recognition of its net zero CO₂ emissions and is expected to receive a rating of ‘excellent’ from BREEAM. The unit has been let from June 2024 and is currently being fitted out by the new tenant.