Hilson Moran heads up green strategy for Unity Campus’ future

Howard Group, the Cambridge-based property investor and developer, has appointed Francesca Prestinoni of Hilson Moran as sustainability consultant for its flagship development, Unity Campus.

Hilson Moran, which has its Cambridge base at Nine Hills Road, will develop a sustainability strategy and implementation plan for the campus including measures for waste, water and energy reduction as part of the group’s commitment to achieve a net zero carbon property portfolio by 2035.

Since acquiring the 11-acre site, previously a thriving tannery for 100 years, Howard Group has successfully completed environmental initiatives, including repurposing the tannery’s former hide market into a stunning modern workplace comprising both wet labs and offices. By retaining the original concrete floors and steel frames, Howard Group saved 1,900 tonnes of embodied carbon emissions while achieving a contemporary industrial feel to the workspace.

Initiatives are being explored to facilitate car sharing and public transport, and increase the provision of electric vehicle charging, as well as introducing renewable energy generation on site. An orchard was planted last summer as part of the late Queen’s Jubilee celebrations.

The site is now home to 12 life science and technology companies including Domainex, IONTAS, Liminal Biosciences, Phoremost and Summit Therapeutics, and is undergoing a major expansion, with three new laboratory buildings totalling 90,000 sq ft currently under construction and due for completion by the end of 2023.

In addition, outline planning consent has been achieved for a further 60,000 sq ft of laboratory and office space, due by the end of 2025.

Howard Group’s CEO Nicholas Bewes said: “Sustainability underpins every aspect of the design, development and operation of Unity Campus. We are now at a stage in our journey to net zero carbon where we need a cohesive site-wide strategy. We were impressed with Hilson Moran’s sector knowledge and expertise, together with their innovative thinking which spans both practical ‘quick wins’ as well as long-term measures.”

Francesca Prestinoni, senior sustainability consultant, Hilson Moran, added: “We are pleased to support Howard Group in the delivery of a sustainability strategy and implementation plan for Unity Campus, by assessing the existing built assets and considering upcoming elements to the scheme.

“The campus has a strong potential to contribute to a local economy, deliver social value, safeguard environmental resources and pursue the net zero carbon agenda.”