Developers have unveiled £30 million plans for a futuristic low-carbon new office building. The proposed six-storey Ev0 development at Didsbury Technology Park would be set over 82,000 square feet and sit between the Sir William Siemens House, Spire Hospital and Bruntwood Works' Ohm building.
A planning application has yet to be submitted, but a period of public consultation is now underway for residents to have their say on the plans. Bruntwood Works said construction was hoped to begin in January 2023, with completion expected by April the following year.
The developer said the site would follow the UK Green Building Council's net zero carbon framework and 'achieve net zero in both up front construction and operation' as one of the UK's lowest carbon workspaces.
An estimated 94 per cent of the building's total energy demand would be generated on site with the remaining sourced from Bruntwood's wind farm in Ayrshire, the company said.
Energy would be generated on-site at a number of locations with the building's roof and the car park all acting as a series of mini power plants, reveal the plans. Timer framed, the building would use low carbon materials like mass timber and low carbon concrete in its construction.
Ciara Keeling, CEO at Bruntwood Works, said: "Sustainability runs through the heart of everything we do at Bruntwood Works and the development of Ev0 will be a major milestone on our net zero journey.
"Now, more than ever, it's important for businesses to be taking affirmative action to reduce their carbon footprint. That also means being fully transparent when it comes to presenting data and assessments, so it was important to us to create an authentically NZC workspace. We’re incredibly proud to be creating one of the lowest carbon workspaces in the UK."
The developer said Manchester has strong net zero ambitions, having set itself a target of 2038 to achieve carbon neutrality. An on-site café would also feature, which would also open at weekends for use by the wider community, customers and businesses.
Andrew Butterworth, Commercial Director at Bruntwood Works, added: "As a leader in its field, Ev0 will help those businesses using the workspace to achieve their own net zero carbon goals and serve as a blueprint and inspiration for others to follow in their sustainability plans.
"The Ev0 Building will provide a completely unique workspace offering to businesses in the North West, and in fact the UK, and the opportunity to work in the established Didsbury Technology Park community, which is already home to a number of leading brands including Siemens, Spire Healthcare and Manchester city council.
"We look forward to welcoming these new customers and showing them what the workspace of the future truly looks like."
