Bruntwood’s £31m low-carbon office approved

Manchester City Council granted planning permission on Thursday for Ev0, an 82,500 sq ft timber-framed workspace at Didsbury Technology Park.

Work is set to start on constructing the Sheppard Robson-designed Ev0 this autumn, with the £31m building completing in late 2024.

Bruntwood’s Ev0 is targeting a 5.5-star NABERS rating and an Excellent BREEAM certification. If it is successful in achieving its sustainability goals, Ev0 will be net zero in both its construction and operation.

Because of its timber frame, Ev0 is a natural carbon storer, capable of sequestering 4,000 tonnes of carbon.

Ev0 will also be fully electric, drawing 94% of its energy from solar panels on its roof and car park. The remainder of the energy will be supplied by the developer’s wind farm in Scotland, according to Bruntwood.

“Ev0 presents an exciting opportunity to ask – and to answer – the key questions that must be addressed to make zero carbon a reality,” said Neal Allen-Burt, partner at Sheppard Robson.

“The project engages with the challenges and opportunities presented by the increasing push to reach net zero carbon, with our design showing there is no ‘silver bullet’ for achieving this and we will get there by having the dexterity to apply numerous solutions.”

When complete, Ev0 will have six floors. Amenities on offer will include a gym, café, cycle storage, event space, and customer lounge.

Andrew Butterworth, commercial director at Bruntwood, praised Manchester City Council for its decision to approve Ev0.

“As we continue to work towards our net zero goals, it’s incredibly exciting to gain planning approval for Ev0, a development which has been a major part of our sustainability plans for a number of years,” Butterworth said.

“Property companies across the UK promote their developments as ‘best’ for various reasons, without openly releasing their supporting figures in the public domain. We have the evidence to substantiate Ev0’s sustainability credentials, and are openly publishing and updating data online to support this.”

Butterworth continued: “Across our business, we’re taking a holistic approach to achieving net zero, putting the onus on reducing our emissions by transitioning to clean energy, improving biodiversity and green spaces, building and fitting out with sustainable or recycled materials, moving to a net zero vehicle fleet, reducing and reusing waste, and lessening water consumption, and we’re actively supporting our customers, partners, and suppliers to achieve similar milestones.”

Ramboll is the MEP, structural, and sustainability consultant for Ev0. Deloitte is the planning consultant. OFR Consultants is the fire and risk engineer, Turner & Townsend is the quantity surveyor, and Ward Williams Associates is the project management specialist.

JLL and CBRE are the agents for Ev0.

Mark Garner, associate director at CBRE, said: “This planning approval represents a big step forward for sustainable real estate, not only for The Ev0 Building but the wider regional market.

“We’re receiving more and more requirements from occupiers looking to secure the most environmentally friendly workspace and Ev0 will more than cater for these,” Garner said.

“We can’t wait to see the timber frame go up, which is due to be the first of its kind in the region.”

Also approved at Manchester City Council’s planning committee meeting on 16 February: Trilogy Real Estate and Peterson Group’s £213m Great Northern revamp.