Environment agency moves to central Bristol
The Environment Agency aims to save £180,000 a year by moving to a new, much "greener" headquarters in central Bristol.
The agency, which is responsible for protecting and improving the environment throughout England and Wales, will relocate its national HQ to Cabot House, behind the Council House and opposite the city's central library, in two years.
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A former council office stood derelict on the site for years before it was knocked down for redevelopment earlier this year.
Westmark Development will construct a building that is smaller and more efficient than the Environment Agency's current HQ, which is split over three sites in Bristol and Bath.
It will meet the "excellent" rating of the Building Research Establishment's Environmental Appraisal Method, making it one of the greenest office buildings in the UK.
Up to 1,000 agency staff – who are working at Rio House, Waterside Drive, in Aztec West, at the Government Buildings, Burghill Road, Westbury-on-Trym and at the Twerton office, Lower Bristol Road, Bath – will be housed in the building.
It will have:
● A natural ventilation system
● Comprehensive rainwater harvesting
● On-site renewable sources such as solar power
● A green management plan to minimise the use of energy and water and reduce the amount of waste going off-site.
The Environment Agency is aiming for the building to be carbon neutral by 2012.
More than 50 per cent of the material to be used in construction and fitting out the building will be recycled.
Graham Ledward, director of resources at the Environment Agency, said: "Today's news will see the relocation of the agency headquarters to a more sustainable building in Bristol city centre with one of the best environmental ratings possible.
"There were a number of very competitive proposals from different developers but we believe the option chosen represents best value for money and will provide a better working environment for our staff.
"It is encouraging to see that sustainable buildings are becoming a stronger feature in the market and we hope that Westmark's building will set an example for future commercial developments to follow."
City council leader, Helen Holland, said: "It's great news for our city that Europe's largest organisation dedicated to protecting and improving the environment has chosen to relocate to Bristol.
"This decision by the Environment Agency reflects Bristol's continued success in attracting major public sector organisations and private sector companies, and underlines why Bristol has the most successful English economy outside London.
"Bristol is keen to gain the title of European green capital and this announcement gives our city the opportunity to further develop partnerships which can lead the way in sustainable development."
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by designer, REDLAND
Friday, October 03 2008, 8:19PM
“Demolishing structurally sound if tired commercial building is rarely the most sustainable solution. Mincing up the old concrete for hardcore is energy intensive and a feeble green alibi. It is nearly always greener to repair, alter, reclad, re-service existing multi storey structures. But developers make money by cramming more sq feet onto a site. Until Government and business realise that modern communications do not require hundreds of staff to work in one office this will go on. In this case at least a hideous building, left empty by Bristol Council for many years, is being replaced by a better looking one. But the whole process is far from green.”
by Barbara, Bristol
Friday, October 03 2008, 8:08PM
“Eco building great news, reducing the future¿s carbon footprint.
But Bristol can't vie for the title of European green capital until it sorts out the ever increasing traffic congestion. The local infrastructure needs major improvement. The buses don't run on time because there's too much traffic. The roads are gridlocked because people don't like waiting for buses stuck in traffic. They'd rather sit in traffic in their own cars adding to the congestion and emission problems. The council was considering congestion charges. That would certainly help. What about the lite rail to North Bristol/ South Gloucestershire? Can't the councils agree to work together for the greater good of humanity!!”
by craig, bristol
Thursday, October 02 2008, 6:25PM
“Have to agree with pj, Bristol City Council has never encouraged offices to out of town locations, it's down to their sheer incompetance in providing a decent road network in bristol that has caused loads of companies to congregate around the M4 junction. Not everyone who works in bristol lives there so while it might be convenient for you in Redland, Chris it certainly wouldn't be for others, also not everybody spends all day in the office or has the lunch time to visit the city centre amenities.”
by Frank, Bristol
Thursday, October 02 2008, 6:11PM
“This has got to be a record even by BEP standards. This was all announced over a year ago.”
by PJ, Brislington
Thursday, October 02 2008, 2:12PM
“What this article should really point out is that a large proportion of the raw material will be reused in the new building following demolition, primarily in the foundations. So I don't see the problem with developing an eco friendly building because in the long term it will have a reduced environmental impact.
Bristol City Council has never encouraged office to out of town locations, I think you will find that ist a combination of South Gloucestershire Council and market forces. The Council didn't build Cabot Circus or Cribbs Causeway, developers did, so hardly a waste of money. this development has very little to do with the Council so is hardly jobs for the boys!”