A recent poll of FSB members showed that 96 per cent of businesses in the East of England would recycle more if they had access to better facilities.

But, many small businesses cannot access suitable services because their local authority does not allow them to use local waste and recycling centres.

Amir Butt, Peterborough Branch Vice Chairman, Federation of Small Businesses, said: “The Federation of Small Businesses has long called for small firms to have better access to these facilities and now, as a direct result of our work, this is happening. We need to see all of our local authorities step-up and sign the commitment to ensure that local firms can access local waste and recycling centres across the region. By taking this simple step local authorities can help small businesses deal with their waste responsibly and play their part in protecting the environment.”

As part of the Government’s waste review, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has launched a local authority Business Waste and Recycling Services Commitment. This commitment asks local authorities to sign up to a number of pledges aimed at giving businesses better waste and recycling services.

This means that local firms would be able to use local waste and recycling centres for the first time in the region.

Larkfleet Group will work alongside LDA Design, Buro Happold, Wormald Burrows and Capita Symonds of behalf of the Technology Strategy Board to develop ways in which buildings in the UK can be adapted so that they are better able to withstand the climate of the future.

Work will focus on the impact of external factors such as shrinkable clay soils on a building’s structural strength. The research will also investigate the resilience of buildings to high temperatures and flood risk.

Larkfleet Group will work as the developer-contractor on the LDA Design led project to test the research project’s suggested climate change adaptations for housing on three properties on Phase 1 of Larkfleet’s Oakham North development in Rutland.

The Oakham North development will include around 1,100 homes (including affordable housing), a continuing care retirement community (CCRC), local centre, meeting places, public open space and structural landscaping.

The climate change adaptations for new housing identified through the research will be developed so that the solutions appeal not just to the Oakham development but also to other developers and the wider housing market.

The research project hopes to confirm that successful climate change solutions must incorporate realistic design and ‘green thinking’ if they are to be deliverable.

Karl Hick, Larkfleet Group managing director, said: “Larkfleet Group is delighted to be able to help with this research study. By testing strategies on properties at Oakham North, feedback can be gained on the way adaptation strategies can be prepared and implemented. Larkfleet Group has an excellent reputation for building high quality, energy–efficient homes but the next challenge is to make sure buildings are able to cope with the changing environmental conditions that will occur over the coming decades.”

The project is the latest in a series of new construction and ongoing refurbishment works to improve the school building. The firm’s sister company, Manor Roofing, has completed extensive re-roofing works in the school’s main block to improve insulation levels and give greater energy efficiency.

Gary Wentworth, project manager at Arthur Mellows Village College, said, “The school is trying is to improve its green credentials and solar panels means we can produce our own clean renewable energy and help to reduce the school’s Carbon Footprint. The system’s energy monitoring tool will also be used as a lesson resource in subjects such as science, geography and design and technology to teach our students about sustainable energy using a working example of renewable energy in action.”

The installation took a total of just two days to complete, using solar panels that snap together on mounts fixed to the school’s flat roof. Manor Solar MD, Mark Cawood, explained, “This is the first installation of this kind of PV panel in the UK. It has come into the market to meet the needs of older buildings. They are light-weight which suits roofs with a low distributed roof load requirement and the simple snap-on mounts shortens the project time for large rooftop solar installations significantly.”

Manor Solar first laid a reflective roofing membrane that is part of the Solar Energy system and is designed to boost the PV panels’ light collection technology by refracting additional light off the roof surface.  The 20 PV panels, which are backed by a 25-year guarantee, are installed in an area of the roof with the least shade and close to where the 4000 TL inverter is housed. They generate an estimated 3365Kw, which is the equivalent to the energy used by a 4 bedroom house. The school has direct access to an online monitoring tool, which will allow students and the facilities management team to monitor its renewable energy performance.

The newly signed partnership will ensure local businesses benefit from the expertise Viridor has in the environmental arena as well as contribute towards the city’s goal of becoming the UK’s Environment Capital.

Investors in the Environment is a leading not-for-profit environmental accreditation scheme designed to help businesses save money and reduce their impact on the environment.  Over 85 businesses are participating in the IiE scheme and have benefited from improved environmental performance and cost-savings. By going green, businesses are able to gain a competitive edge and take advantage of networking in an innovative, rapidly growing sector.

Speaking on behalf of the company, Paul Rowland, regional manager for Viridor, commented: “We are proud to be supporting the IiE scheme. Managing the environmental aspects of any business and receiving recognition for such work is essential in today’s market. General awareness of environmental issues is increasing and with it the demand for products and services that are provided with care for the environment. The IiE scheme not only helps businesses improve their environmental record but provides them with an accountable way of demonstrating their achievements to their stakeholders.”

Kim Coley, Green Business Officer from Investors in the Environment said: “We are delighted to welcome Viridor as our new main sponsor. Being environmental experts, Viridor are a valuable business to having on board. They will provide vital support to the IiE scheme and will be a key resource for our members. Leading by example they are working towards IiE Green Level environmental accreditation. Businesses interested in learning more about accreditation scheme can meet the IiE team and Viridor at Peterborough’s Business Focus event next week in the new Green Business Hub arena.”

Viridor has a proven track record in managing the environmental aspects of its operations. It was the first company in its sector to implement an Environmental Management System across the company and achieve ISO 14001 certification at all its major operational sites. Currently Viridor operates all sites and services under its Business Management System, which includes safety, health, environmental and quality management systems certified to the international standards OHSA 18001, ISO 14001 and ISO 9001 respectively, ensuring continuous improvement in these key areas and providing assurance to customers and communities alike.

Steve Magenis, chairman of PECT’s board of directors said, “We welcome Rachel as chief executive.  At the heart of the organisation Rachel has done a brilliant job managing PECT to ensure not just the stability and resilience of current operations but the continued development and growth of the Trust. We look forward to building on PECT’s past success, and working with Rachel to drive forward our aspirations for a cleaner, greener, healthier Peterborough.”

Expressing her determination and vision for PECT, Rachel said, “I am delighted to accept the position. It is so rewarding to be able to share my enthusiasm for the important environmental work the charity delivers. PECT is a fantastic organisation with a great team who work hard to make Peterborough a truly sustainable city. PECT are in a strong position with a clearly defined strategy for the next 3 years.  We are investing in continuing to build on the charity’s success and taking a positive approach to the challenge of current times.  We have a strong and committed team both at delivery and board level and with such foundations we can look forward to the future, growing from strength to strength.”

The charity will continue to play a pivotal role in leading Peterborough in its ambition to become the Home of Environment Capital, a fundamental element of PECT’s mission. As a recognised leader on sustainable cities, PECT will continuing to deliver best practice projects that improve the overall quality of life of its people, communities and environment.

It is a promising, exciting time for Peterborough and PECT. The charity’s innovative and award-winning projects are in full swing. The Peterborough Eco Awards, to be held on Tuesday 5 July, celebrate a host of inspirational environmental achievements by local school children. An impressive 86% of local schools are eco-active and PECT are proud to announce the accreditation of two new Green Flag schools, bringing Peterborough’s total to seven.

The ‘Forest for Peterborough’ is busy gearing up for the new planting season in October, set to increase tree coverage all over the city. This summer Greeniversity extends it project, delivering 25 ‘Green Skill’ courses to adults with learning difficulties, disabilities and/or mental health problems. Investors in the Environment are excited to be working with the Chamber of Commerce and the Business Club at the 2011 Business Focus event. The exhibition will be hosting its first Environmental Hub, responding to the growth in the sector.

Peterborough Environment City Trust (PECT) remains in a strong position despite loss of CEO

PECT’s chief executive, Hugh Cripps (left), has taken voluntary redundancy after an 18-year secondment to the charity from Peterborough City Council.

Mr Cripps was seconded to PECT from the council in 1993. As part of the cuts being made by the local authority, a number of jobs, including that of Mr Cripps’, were put at risk.

Rachel Huxley, who was head of operations at PECT, is now managing the day-to-day operation of the charity as acting chief executive. Trevor Gibson, director of environment capital for the council, has been drafted in to support the development of a strategic business plan.

Mr Gibson said, “The budget cuts are affecting us all and Peterborough Environment City Trust is no exception. Nevertheless, PECT remains in a strong position and there is no question that the charity will continue to deliver its important environmental work in the city. I’ll be working with PECT’s board of directors and senior management team to develop a robust business plan to ensure the charity continues to lead Peterborough in its aspiration to become the UK’s Environment Capital.”

Rachel Huxley paid tribute to Hugh’s work to forward Peterborough’s Environment Capital aspiration over the last 18 years saying, “Hugh’s efforts to create an exemplar city for sustainability and a better place to live and work made a real difference for Peterborough. He helped establish PECT and spearheaded some of our headline projects including the Green Wheel which provides over 45 miles of cycle route. He will be missed by all the staff at PECT. Our main aim now is to continue to build on the great work he did.

“We’ve got some exciting things on the horizon for 2011 including the launch of our Walk Peterborough iPhone app, the city’s 20^th Green Festival, and a brand new phase of the Seeding Sustainable Communities project where we visit people in their homes to provide tailored advice on living in an environmentally friendly way.”

• Factors such as access to low carbon energy and ‘green’ buildings in cities are receiving an increasing amount of attention from business;
• Future workers will choose to work locally or remotely, in preference to long commutes
• Communities will look for more ‘localised’ services and working environments and shun ‘identikit’ high streets
•  Businesses believe urban mobility (transport and information technology links), and a clean, green and culturally vibrant city centre that provides high quality of life for employees will be the most important factors in creating a desirable business location in the future.
• Traffic issues are the most prominent frustration with current business locations, with one in three business leaders citing poor public transport, traffic congestion or commuting times as their biggest gripe.

The report outlines a framework, which aims to help budding business capitals create a sustainable, thriving business environment:

• Proximity to market – better connectivity, as well as closer physical distance
• Communications links – remote and virtual access as well as low-carbon transport options
• Access to resources – lower consumption, local supply chains and higher quality of life
• Provision of utilities – independent supply streams and local energy generation
• Land/space premises – flexible and resource- and energy-efficient workspaces
• Access to talent – more green skills and green jobs
• Attractiveness of place – cities designed for people, not cars
• Government incentives – big infrastructure investments combined with small-scale community planning

Neil Darwin from Opportunity Peterborough said, “Future cities will be built on the twin foundations of localism and sustainability. This report  shows that while on the one hand tomorrow’s city-dwellers are going to be much more mobile, web-enabled, work more flexibly and often in ‘green-collar’ professions, on the other, the cities in which they work will be competing harder for dwindling resources amidst ever more severe climate threats. As a result, the places where we will want to live and work in the future will need to become more local, accessible and environmentally-minded.

“It’s clear that the future heirs to sustainable enterprise in the UK are not going to be the big urban megacities of old, but smaller, more adaptable regional cities that have dynamic city centres and sustainable infrastructure, buildings and transport links.

“While enterprise is increasingly global in outlook, we are seeing local communities and resources at the heart of the day to day working of businesses. Gone are the days of generic high streets, rigid work spaces and long commutes. Which is good news for cities like Peterborough, which are uniquely placed to meet the localism and sustainability challenges highlighted in this report and have put the environment right at the heart of their urban regeneration.”

Ivana Gazibara from Forum for the Future said, “Sustainability is becoming a key factor within business. Forward-thinking businesses will anticipate emerging trends and incorporate sustainability into their core strategy, including decisions about business location.

“Cities will also have to anticipate and adapt to changing demands brought about by massive challenges like climate change, resource scarcity and population growth. At the same time they need to be innovative enough to support existing businesses and attract new ones.

“For example, our research suggests that localised, smaller working spaces where groups of collaborating workers can get together and connect with other teams virtually are likely to become more common in cities. ‘Green’ buildings are becoming increasingly desirable amongst companies, whilst workspaces that remove the need for a long and expensive commute are becoming more popular with employees. Cities that act on trends like this quickly will be best placed to attract top businesses.

“Ultimately, sustainability is no longer the sole preserve of ‘megacities’. Second- and third-tier cities have huge potential to nurture innovation and stimulate commercial opportunity, based on smart, sustainable policies. Those cities that implement such policies will be highly attractive to the businesses of the future.”

For a full copy of the Sustainable Urban Enterprise report please click here.

EnergyPark Peterborough, which was granted consent by the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) last November, will take in mixed waste and recycle and remanufacture it. Through a three stage process of mechanical recycling, biomass gasification and plasma vitrification, the Energy Park will produce renewable energy, glass, building blocks, metals and compounds. The zero waste to landfill solution will save 600,000 tonnes of CO2 per year, create green collar jobs in the local community and produce enough renewable energy to power 60,000 homes.

Davis Langdon has been working with PREL, a subsidiary of Green Energy Parks Ltd, since early 2010 and will be providing permanent consultancy services from the commencement on site in early 2011.

Under the role, Davis Langdon will be advising on the soon-to-be-announced contract between PREL and their engineering, procurement and construction contractor, as well as providing project management, commercial and risk management advice, and grid connection and tax planning services. The team will be led by Matthew Hicks and Lee Chapman of the Peterborough office, with local, regional and national resource support.

Chris Williams, managing director of Peterborough Renewable Energy Ltd, said, “It is with great pleasure that we announce the appointment of Davis Langdon as owner’s representative for the Energy Park Peterborough project and we look forward to working closely with their local team.

“Energy Park Peterborough is a landmark project and we look forward to starting construction to speed landfill reduction and the switch to renewables in the UK.”

The project has been jointly developed by the city council, Opportunity Peterborough, IT giant IBM, consultants Royal Haskoning and investment and asset management company Green Ventures.

It allows an extensive array of environmental performance data covering energy, water, transport and waste systems to be displayed on a Google Earth platform. It will mean that city officials can monitor performance while working more effectively with utility suppliers to plan the long term energy and water infrastructure for a sustainable future.

Councillor Cereste said, “The Peterborough visualisation model is attracting interest from business leaders and government officials from throughout the world.

“This project demonstrates how Peterborough is setting a global lead with a big picture overview of its current sustainability performance. It identifies how organisations and individuals can collaborate and prioritise investment to secure truly sustainable growth.”

Trevor Gibson added, “The Peterborough model harnesses technological advances to collate data and interpret it in ways not achieved before.

“Peterborough is using recognised expertise that will enable us to meet the sustainability challenges and support Peterborough’s reputation as the home of environment capital.”

Peterborough’s reputation for supporting the growth of environmental goods and services companies is also being promoted at the Brussels event by Gareth Jones from the UK Centre for Economic and Environmental Development (UK CEED). He is speaking at seminar on ‘Better cluster support services for green innovation’ and describing the work of Peterborough Eco Innovation Centre.

Launched in 2003, the open days events provide local authorities, voluntary organisations, private industry and universities opportunities to showcase their capacity for creating growth and jobs, to demonstrate best practice in areas such as regional competitiveness, territorial co-operation and social and economic cohesion, and to contribute to debates among EU institutions and member states.

The photo, above right, shows Councillor Cereste with William Kennard, ambassador to the US Mission to the European Union.

Aquavent UK used a combination of its patented pressure reducing valve and hydraulic flow modulator (left) in the hospital’s water system.

Consumption is expected to drop by 24 million litres per year, which will deliver a return on investment in the equipment within one year, according to Mark Lock, managing director of Aquavent.

There will be additional peripheral cost savings and a reduced impact on the environment.