Net-Zero Nursery funded by Section 106

TG Escapes’ experienced in-house team undertook the design and specification of the building in collaboration with the developer Kenninghall, supported by Black Box Planning and the architects DKA, working on the wider development. Net-zero in operation, the project was funded under Section 106. The nursery is designed to have the smallest possible environmental footprint. In addition to the extensive use of timber, the building maximises energy efficiency, featuring an air-source heat pump to provide heating and a rooftop solar PV array to generate electricity.

Using modern methods of construction in the form of modular off-site manufactured elements meant that the time required on site was minimised and delays avoided. Despite the construction taking place between February and April 2024 – three months marked by persistent rainfall – progress was not impacted by the weather. With groundworks completed, the superstructure was weathertight in under 3 weeks with the building finished in just 12 weeks – exactly in line with the program set out during planning.

Duncan Ross, Director at Kenninghall comments, “During our journey for building a Pre-School Nursery as part of a Planning Agreement, the team at TG Escapes were on hand throughout the process. It was apparent that delivering such a project requires a Partner who understands all the complexities, dealing with numerous third parties, ensuring all the legislation is complied with, and a detailed understanding of the users’ needs. Looking back even experienced professionals need their hands held on this type of project. TG Escapes provided all of this and ongoing support. The Tenant is delighted with the result.”

Paper Lane is a brand-new nursery operated by principal Victoria Westwell. She reports that TG Escapes stood out due to clear communication from early on and the benefits she is seeing most are that the building is easy to use, economical and comfortable with an excellent layout.