27.05.04
Callington Workshops Scoop Green Award

An environmentally friendly business premises scheme in Callington has scooped a Green Award in the Michelmores and Western Morning News Commercial Property Awards.

Designed by Caradon District Council, the business units beat off stiff competition from two other shortlisted premises, including the world famous Eden Project.

Caradon's six workshops and seven offices on Callington's Moss Side Industrial Estate opened for business earlier this year, attracting national interest for their green elements and appearing on Radio Four's You and Yours programme.

The scheme received a £176,575 investment from the Objective One Programme and £216,654 from Caradon. The sustainable features were included because as well as protecting the environment they make good business sense by cutting energy costs substantially.

Councillor Ivor Nichols, Caradon's Safeguarding the Local Environment portfolio holder, said: "I'm delighted that Caradon's green credentials have been recognised by this award. This shows how seriously we take environmental issues, applying them to all we do instead of just concentrating on traditional sustainability areas such as recycling.

"Caradon is fully committed to supporting the start up of local businesses and safeguarding our environment. We believe that our economy and environment can exist in harmony and try to incorporate environmentally friendly and energy efficient elements in our council and business premises wherever possible."

The Callington development's impressive list of green features includes:

• An earth energy ducted air heating and cooling system for the offices and similar systems for each workshop. The system has four 70m deep boreholes.

• A prototype wind-dam electricity generator unit that will eventually provide some of the electricity for the site.

• Energy efficient lighting with movement and daylight sensors.

• Sun-pipes and lantern lights to make the most of natural daylight and create a more pleasant working environment.

• Carpets made from recycled materials.

The building also fully caters for the needs of disabled workers. Both of the shared kitchens have electrically operated height adjustable sinks and worktops so that they are in easy reach of wheelchair users. Two of the scheme's toilets have disabled provision, and six of the car parking spaces are designed for disabled drivers.

Carleen Kelemen, Director of the Objective One Partnership, said: "I was thrilled to hear that the workspace in Callington has won this award. It's a great example of how public investment can be used to benefit the private sector in an innovative way and as a result it's improving the standard of building in that area, causing a ripple effect which other workspaces will benefit from in the future."

Caradon is the single biggest investor in small business premises in the district and has been awarded Beacon Council status for its work in Supporting the Rural Economy. The number of council owned workshops, offices and industrial premises has gone from zero to 147 in 14 years. Caradon was also recently rated two stars and 'good' by Best Value inspectors for its efforts to promote sustainable development.

For details of business units throughout South East Cornwall, contact Lindsey James on 01579 324100.

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Editor's notes:

Media enquiries contact:

Brian Wright, architecture and projects manager, on 01579 341332
Stephen Vinson, deputy head of economic and community services, on 01579 341031

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Sue Wolstenholme
Objective One Communications
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mob: 07973 813647
Tel: 01579 370991

lmroberts@cornwall.gov.uk

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