The bits between the buildings

There are many uses regarding the environment

We think that every last square metre of the site should have a beneficial use – even the spaces between the buildings and alongside the roads. There should be no wide verges and fenced off areas of mown grass, which provide nothing for bio-diversity or environmental benefit.

Hydrology and water treatment will be key to this, and we plan for water to be contained and treated on site on the basis that the site will “deal with its own mess”! But, this actually represents a valuable resource in chemical, energy and environmental contexts.

Community farms and country parks are important to provide accessibility to the facility – it shouldn’t be “secret” or “secure” any more than a footpath across a field is. Whilst the farmer may keep his bull in a more secure field, other parts of the farm are generally accessible – and the same principles should be applied here.

We have thought of some uses for the land between the buildings – but are very keen to hear of other ideas. These are the ones we have come up with so far:

  • Bio-diversity net gain areas defined across the site

  • An Experimental Farm – linked to the academic presence on site

  • Sustainable Urban Drainage (SUDS) features

  • Water Treatment & Capture – recycling and re-using hydro resources on site

  • Open agri-tech – community gardens and small scale spaces for altruistic research and provision of herbs and low volume / high value crops

  • Country Park – publicly available open space (possible SANG space)

  • Materials Recycling Facility – supporting the “circular economy” to recycle, reuse and repurpose packaging and other returnable materials across the site

  • Tree nursery

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