• Our Team
  • ESG
  • Development
  • Investment
  • Podcasts
  • News
  • Contact

Commitment to Sustainable Development

Nov 18 2021 | Company News

By Shannon Conway, Glenbrook Residential Director.

We are in a climate crisis and the construction industry is responsible for 49% of carbon emissions in the UK. Last year at Glenbrook we decided to get all our new BTR schemes assessed by an external carbon consultant.

Since 2016 we have delivered four BTR schemes for institutional funds across Liverpool and Manchester. With another six in the pipeline, we made the decision to start measuring our carbon performance on all new development.

The reason for this were threefold. Firstly, in a world of sustainability declarations and intentions, we want to demonstrate that green principles are at the heart of our developments. Secondly, understanding how our developments perform gives us additional comfort when agreeing carbon reduction targets with planners, and thirdly, ESG is increasingly on the agenda with our funding partners – they want to see a strong track record and commitment to ongoing innovation.

To start, we needed a benchmark. This would allow us to understand our carbon footprint, show us what we were doing right and identify areas for improvement.

Our scheme VOX, a 280-flat scheme built on a disused industrial site in Manchester was the obvious choice to test our performance. The scheme completed in January 2021, and is our the fourth BTR scheme so therefore demonstrates an evolved Glenbrook product. From inception, well-being and sustainability were at the heart the design and, with our consultants, we endeavoured to deliver on these areas as efficiently as possible, within the development budget.

Forensic assessment

Engineering, energy and sustainability consultancy Hydrock promised us a forensic whole lifecycle carbon assessment by delving into the ‘real life’ embodied carbon footprint. This included examining the extraction, assembly, maintenance, replacement and disposal of the materials and systems that made up the building design.

Hydrock applied the London Energy Transformation Initiative (LETI) benchmark to measure the carbon footprint of the development and identify areas for carbon reduction.

Vox performed well. The scheme’s embodied carbon equated to 495 kgCO2e/m2 which reflected a 37% reduction in CO2 emissions, relative to standard industry practice, making it compliant with the LETI Design 2020 target for upfront embodied carbon (495 kgCO2e/m2).

This was made possible through a combination of factors. Firstly, a “fabric first” approach to the thermal envelope resulted in a highly insulated and air tight façade.

We did this while also focusing to reduce materials where possible. Reducing the floor slab thickness by a few millimetres saved 291m3 of concrete and took 48 concrete trucks off the road. By laying the slabs earlier and allowing them to settle, our contractors reduced the volume of aggregates and materials required.

Steps to net zero

But there is always room for improvement. Hydrock’s report told us a further 24% reduction in whole-life emissions could have been achieved at VOX with further interventions. This includes increased use of

renewable energy. VOX utilises one roof for PV cells (the other houses a gym, wellness suite, tenant lounge, and rooftop garden with running track) however there would be an additional opportunity to improve through the introduction of air source heat pumps.

Air source heat pumps require an upfront cost. We are exploring the viability of these systems and expect the technology will start to become more efficient and affordable as we move towards the revised Part L of the Building Regulations which are due to come into effect by June 2022.

A greater focus on occupancy behaviour to reduce energy usage and exploring offsetting emissions off-site will also help. We are working with property managers on the schemes we have delivered, exploring the best ways they can help the 2,000 tenants reduce their operational carbon footprint. Whilst we can’t make people change their behaviour, we can try and make it a bit easier.

This includes a soft landing approach to handover with training on heating and hot water systems, and clear tenant-user guides. We also host feedback meetings with scheme managers once the development is fully occupied to assess the performance of the M&E design and installations.

Over 1,000 people work on each of our developments, including consultants, designers, contractors, sub-contractors and scheme managers. We rely on each person doing whatever is possible within the development constraints to deliver the greenest possible solution.

This includes our funding partners who we expect to have a genuine for delivering on their ESG targets and futureproofing their schemes. Its only through a combined effort, through shared values and aspirations, that we can move towards a net zero offering.

Glenbrookprop avatar; Glenbrook @Glenbrookprop ·
19 Jul 1549409613690425345

📹 Take a look at @hellostok, our recently completed intelligently designed workspace of up to 58,000 sq ft in Stockport Town Centre.

In this short video, Andrew Gardiner @edwardsco_mcr talks about the space and the exciting opportunities it offers.

https://youtu.be/G3-BPE3m_zs

Twitter feed video.
Reply on Twitter 1549409613690425345 Retweet on Twitter 1549409613690425345 2 Like on Twitter 1549409613690425345 5 Twitter 1549409613690425345
Glenbrookprop avatar; Glenbrook @Glenbrookprop ·
12 Jul 1546785568935272449

📰 Glenbrook Investments has completed the £3million freehold acquisition of Commercial House in Sheffield, achieving a Net Initial Yield of 12.7%.

🔗 Read more: https://bit.ly/3c77391

Image for the Tweet beginning: 📰 Glenbrook Investments has completed Twitter feed image.
Reply on Twitter 1546785568935272449 Retweet on Twitter 1546785568935272449 0 Like on Twitter 1546785568935272449 5 Twitter 1546785568935272449
Glenbrookprop avatar; Glenbrook @Glenbrookprop ·
11 Jul 1546455321190727681

🎧 Our latest podcast is here.

In this episode, Shannon Conway is joined by David Lynch, Director of Development @ManCityCouncil

🔗 Listen to the full episode here: https://apple.co/3AByCkV

Image for the Tweet beginning: 🎧 Our latest podcast is Twitter feed video.
Reply on Twitter 1546455321190727681 Retweet on Twitter 1546455321190727681 3 Like on Twitter 1546455321190727681 6 Twitter 1546455321190727681
Glenbrookprop avatar; Glenbrook @Glenbrookprop ·
6 Jul 1544733046615773184

🗞️ Last week our Senior Development Manager Daniel Roberts attended the @benetworking West Yorkshire Development Conference.
⁠
This year's conference focused on creating a resilient housing proposition across West Yorkshire, and Daniel spoke of our BtR plans for the region.

Image for the Tweet beginning: 🗞️ Last week our Senior Twitter feed image.
Image for the Tweet beginning: 🗞️ Last week our Senior Twitter feed image.
Image for the Tweet beginning: 🗞️ Last week our Senior Twitter feed image.
Reply on Twitter 1544733046615773184 Retweet on Twitter 1544733046615773184 2 Like on Twitter 1544733046615773184 3 Twitter 1544733046615773184
Glenbrookprop avatar; Glenbrook @Glenbrookprop ·
5 Jul 1544303388816539649

The 2022 @Homeviews_com BTR report is out and we're thrilled to see that our schemes, @DuetSQuays and @mcr_vox, have come first and second in the UK's top 10 best BTR developments, rated for design.

🔗 Download the report here: https://lnkd.in/eUmTjB4C #BTRNews #BTR

Image for the Tweet beginning: The 2022 @Homeviews_com BTR report Twitter feed image.
Image for the Tweet beginning: The 2022 @Homeviews_com BTR report Twitter feed image.
Reply on Twitter 1544303388816539649 Retweet on Twitter 1544303388816539649 1 Like on Twitter 1544303388816539649 2 Twitter 1544303388816539649
Glenbrookprop avatar; Glenbrook @Glenbrookprop ·
20 Jun 1538815311423672320

Over £1m is being spent upgrading one of Leeds city centre’s most revered properties.

The stunning 31,400 sq ft Albion Court, on the corner of Albion Place and Lands Lane, was purchased by Glenbrook Investments in September last year.

🔗 Read more: https://buff.ly/39nqMjN

Image for the Tweet beginning: Over £1m is being spent Twitter feed image.
Reply on Twitter 1538815311423672320 Retweet on Twitter 1538815311423672320 1 Like on Twitter 1538815311423672320 2 Twitter 1538815311423672320
Glenbrookprop avatar; Glenbrook @Glenbrookprop ·
16 Jun 1537412879326101505

Thank you! 🤞

Anthony O'Keefe @LM6aok

https://www.insidermedia.com/news/north-west/shortlist-revealed-and-voting-open-for-liverpool-city-region-property-dinner best wishes all tonight @insiderproperty #liverpool awards - and @Glenbrookprop nominated for deal of year at Valley Bus Park, Birkenhead

Reply on Twitter 1537412879326101505 Retweet on Twitter 1537412879326101505 0 Like on Twitter 1537412879326101505 3 Twitter 1537412879326101505
Glenbrookprop avatar; Glenbrook @Glenbrookprop ·
15 Jun 1537056222402199553

The UK BTR sector recorded a total of £650m of investment in the first quarter of 2022, according to figures from @CBRE.

Our Residential Director, Shannon Conway, joined the @insidernwest Built-to-Rent roundtable. Read what Shannon had to say here: https://bit.ly/3NAae6G

Image for the Tweet beginning: The UK BTR sector recorded Twitter feed image.
Reply on Twitter 1537056222402199553 Retweet on Twitter 1537056222402199553 0 Like on Twitter 1537056222402199553 2 Twitter 1537056222402199553
Glenbrookprop avatar; Glenbrook @Glenbrookprop ·
14 Jun 1536786918872174592

It’s been a pleasure to host the @wipnorthwest student awards @hellostok - our newly completed workspace scheme in #Stockport. We hope you enjoyed the evening!

It’s been a pleasure to host the @wipnorthwest student awards @hellostok - our newly completed workspace scheme in #Stockport. We hope you enjoyed the evening!
Women in Property NW @wipnorthwest

Well done to all students who were nominated, a fantastic achievement and honour

A huge thank you to our annual student award sponsors @jmwsolicitors, @TGLPEARSON & to our hosts @Glenbrookprop - your support is very much appreciated.

Reply on Twitter 1536786918872174592 Retweet on Twitter 1536786918872174592 0 Like on Twitter 1536786918872174592 3 Twitter 1536786918872174592
Glenbrookprop avatar; Glenbrook @Glenbrookprop ·
13 Jun 1536333900053680130

🗞 We’re delighted to announce the official practical completion of @hellostok, 62,000 sq ft of workspace within Stockport’s former M&S building.

🔗 Read more via @PlaceNorthWest https://bit.ly/3Qlfi0u

Image for the Tweet beginning: 🗞 We’re delighted to announce Twitter feed image.
Image for the Tweet beginning: 🗞 We’re delighted to announce Twitter feed image.
Image for the Tweet beginning: 🗞 We’re delighted to announce Twitter feed image.
Reply on Twitter 1536333900053680130 Retweet on Twitter 1536333900053680130 2 Like on Twitter 1536333900053680130 18 Twitter 1536333900053680130
Glenbrookprop avatar; Glenbrook @Glenbrookprop ·
13 Jun 1536322684560220165

🗞️ ICYMI: Back in April we submitted a new detailed planning application to Leeds City Council for a 618 apartment build to rent scheme on the banks of the River Aire. ⁠

🔗 Read more here: https://bit.ly/3xjwyMO

Image for the Tweet beginning: 🗞️ ICYMI: Back in April Twitter feed image.
Reply on Twitter 1536322684560220165 Retweet on Twitter 1536322684560220165 1 Like on Twitter 1536322684560220165 1 Twitter 1536322684560220165
Glenbrookprop avatar; Glenbrook @Glenbrookprop ·
9 Jun 1534841646239649793

🗞️ ICYMI: We submitted a detailed planning application to
@leedscc_news as part of a joint venture with @tcs_plc for the £280m full masterplan for the development of Whitehall Riverside in Leeds City Centre.

🔗 Read more about the proposals: https://bit.ly/3yfFlQ9

Image for the Tweet beginning: 🗞️ ICYMI: We submitted a Twitter feed image.
Reply on Twitter 1534841646239649793 Retweet on Twitter 1534841646239649793 0 Like on Twitter 1534841646239649793 3 Twitter 1534841646239649793

Contact

  • Union
    2-10 Albert Square
    Manchester
    M2 6LW

  • info@glenbrookproperty.co.uk
  • 0161 832 7601

Sitemap

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Development
  • Investment
  • News
  • Contact

Get Social

  • icon1
  • icon2
  • icon3
© Copyright 2022 - Glenbrook