This 1.1 million square foot Marks and Spencer (M&S) distribution centre on ProLogis Park Bradford is the largest warehouse in the M&S network and one of the biggest in the UK.  It will serve all M&S stores with furniture products, store equipment and, by 2011, ambient food.

Planet Positive certified, the distribution centre is striving for a net positive impact on the planet. This has been done by surpassing environmental and sustainability standards and through reinvestment into the local community. This investment includes a locally sourced construction supply chain and a commitment to provide a Planet Positive certified environmental project for the local community.

“Achieving Planet Positive status is an excellent example of a supply chain that is engaged in our Plan A journey and committed to reducing their carbon impact. We realise the significant role an M&S warehouse can play in the local community. This affords us the opportunity to enhance our services in order to support the local area and give something back.”

Crispin Burridge, Head of Plan A and Sustainable Construction at M&S

Ownership Development Structure

ProLogis developed the building as a joint venture with M&S. ProLogis, a leading provider of industrial and distribution buildings in the UK, has a commitment to sustainability which is exemplified in their new projects as they adhere to strict design standards to reduce their environmental impact and increase energy efficiency.

M&S Plan A sets strong requirements to reduce the total carbon impacts of its property portfolio. This project firmed up their green credentials whilst also contributing to M&S Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) targets.

Standards

To demonstrate their commitment to sustainability, ProLogis developments such as the M&S distribution centre, need to achieve a minimum carbon neutral and BREEAM 'Excellent' status and the highest EPC rating (A) in the building’s size category.

For the M&S distribution centre, the construction of the building shell was Planet Positive certified signifying the distribution centre has:

• Achieved 26% reduction in embodied carbon emissions in the building shell (source: dcarbon8)
• Offset the carbon of the building shell by 110 %
• Invested in local community sustainability projects

Supply Chain

Planet Positive role was to actively engage the supply chain in the embodied carbon emissions reductions whilst maintaining a triple bottom line approach. Where possible, local companies were contracted to support the economy and reduce emissions in the supply chain.

Barret Steel Buildings Ltd (BSB)

BSB is a large local employer and was contracted to provide more than 3,000 tonnes of steel for the building framework. This was designed, processed and prepared only a mile away from the ProLogis site by BSB. Planet Positive certified, BSB will offset 4,173 t/CO2e.

“BSB were delighted to be part of the supply chain on ProLogis Park Bradford. The project has helped to re-establish our reputation as one of the best ‘big-shed’ providers in the UK”.

Sue Sharples, MD, BSB Ltd

Winvic Construction

Winvic was the lead contractor and has a long history of constructing low carbon and sustainable buildings. The Winvic project team implemented systems for forecasting, monitoring and recording the carbon output from all construction operations, it also included the use of 50% more efficient site cabins.

“The project has raised Winvic’s green profile and enabled us to continue with various sustainable Research and Development initiatives which will be employed on future projects”

David Ward, MD, Winvic Construction

Atlantic CSP (Wells) Ltd

Atlantic CSP is also a local supplier. Using 80% of steel raw material from post consumer re-cycled source Atlantic CSP installed the building’s storm water retention system which involved the installation of 1,200 metres of underground tubing and a storage tank that can hold 3,000 cubic metres of water.

“Atlantic CSP is proud to have taken part in this prestigious development, maintaining our own local workforce and providing much needed new employment for Bradford”

Paula Stenhouse, MD of Wells Spiral Group owner of Atlantic CSP

CA Group

CA Building Products supplied the building envelope and CA Roofing Services were the cladding contractor. Planet Positive certified, CA Group installed the River-Therm® roof system and Twin-Therm® walls in the warehouse, which are insulated using glass fibre insulation.

“ProLogis’ understanding of the overall cradle to cradle impact on the environment has allowed the client and other sub-trades to effectively reduce emissions at all levels”

Brian Watson, Commercial Director, CA Group

Couch Perry & Wilkes LLP (CPWP)

CPWP were engaged as M&S’s mechanical, electrical and sustainability consultants for the Fit-Out Works project. This included implementing an intelligent and efficient warehouse lighting solution to ensure lighting is operating only when necessary.

“Integrating sustainability at the early stages of this project enabled us to provide valuable input at the concept design of the building fabric and structure”.

Dale Rose, Associate, CPWP

Results

Carbon

• 49% reduction in operational carbon emissions in the fit out of the building (source: dcarbon8)
• 26% reduction in embodied carbon emissions in the building shell (source: dcarbon8)
• 110% offset of the remaining embodied carbon emissions of the building (source: dcarbon8)
• Overall carbon emissions reduced by 70% (50% through offsetting) (source: dcarbon8)

Local

• The park will contribute to Bradford’s regeneration and help create investment opportunities
• The warehouse has already created 300 jobs, a figure which is expected to rise to 450 jobs next year and up to 1,200 when the ProLogis Park is fully operational
• A quarter of the building’s materials were sourced locally, reducing carbon and boosting the local economy

National

• Setting a benchmark for sustainable buildings to follow throughout the UK
• Contribute to wider national and international climate change mitigation targets

Biodiversity

• M&S have invested in a nature programme surrounding the site, which has seen nearly 400 native trees planted, the creation of two ponds and new wetland areas
• As part of Planet Positive certification, a community biodiversity project has been funded through supply chain investment which aims to regenerate the ancient woodland adjacent to the site

“The management of embodied carbon is an important aspect of our sustainable development strategy for UK buildings. Planet Positive allows us to take this further, offsetting 110% of unavoidable emissions and engaging with local communities. This approach also provides an excellent opportunity to get our key suppliers involved in our efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of our developments”

Simon Cox, Vice President, Project Management & UK Sustainability Officer at ProLogis