Keele University wanted to expand their district heating network to ensure it was not only capable of serving the University in the short-term, but could also meet their long-term plans. Our solution created an L-shaped wrap around extension which would house the additional plant and equipment and the district heating network was "future proofed" to allow for easier expansion as the campus continued to grow.
Keele University has a firm commitment to reducing its energy usage and carbon emissions and wanted to integrate low-carbon, sustainable energy technology to meet the needs of its expanding campus.
The project saw Vital Energi expand and improve the existing Horwood Energy Centre and extend the district heating network, ensuring it was suitable not only for the present needs, but could also meet the demands of the University’s planned future developments.
Keele University has a firm commitment to reducing its energy usage and carbon emissions and wanted to integrate low-carbon, sustainable energy technology to meet the needs of its expanding campus.
The project saw Vital Energi expand and improve the existing Horwood Energy Centre and extend the district heating network, ensuring it was suitable not only for the present needs, but could also meet the demands of the University’s planned future developments.
One of the University’s core concerns, which was mirrored in planning permission requirements, was to make tree preservation and landscaping a priority. The client hired a specialist Arbocultural consultant to undertake a detailed tree survey and identify the number and classification of trees which would be affected by the construction works.
This report also detailed the methodology and strategies which were necessary to ensure a minimal impact on the tree population and landscaping and set out our requirements as contractors. By working with the local authority, client and consultant we ensured compliance with the planning permission and agreed a replacement tree planting scheme which would see us plant 3 trees for each one which was felled.
To ensure the tree felling was done to the highest standards we hired a local tree surgeon who developed a method statement and risk assessment which was approved by the University’s consultant before works were undertaken.
The planning conditions stipulated that replacements should be planted during the next “planting & seeding season” and it was agreed that these works would be undertaken in late autumn. Similarly planning stipulated that three of these trees should be ornamental cherries of 2-3 years of age. These were planted as close to the original trees as possible.
As well as replacing the three trees which were cut down, an additional 6 trees (3 Golden Weeping Willows and 3 Malus Golden Hornets) were planted. Each of these was a “Standard” which meant that they were 3m tall and 8-10cm in girth.