Building a better world together

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1 Building a better world together BRE was created by Government in 1921 with a mission to improve the UKs homes and buildings through research and new knowledge generation. Based on the site in Bucknalls Lane since 1925, BRE has been one of the largest local employers in the area. It became a private company in BRE and the BRE Trust The current BRE team of more than 600 people has world leading expertise in virtually every aspect of the built environment. We offer a range of researchbased consultancy, testing, certification and training services to clients, helping them create better, safer and more sustainable products, buildings, communities and businesses. BRE is owned by the BRE Trust, a registered charity. The Trust uses the profits made by BRE to fund research and education that advances knowledge of the built environment. To date the BRE Trust has awarded scholarships and bursaries to over 30 PhD and MSc students. It also sponsors five University Centres of Excellence in Strathclyde, Bath, Cardiff (x2) and Edinburgh. BRE has many unique testing facilities on site: a structures lab that can fit a four storey flat inside and can simulate everything from a flood to an earthquake; a wind tunnel that has had many a television presenter blown to extremes; a burn hall that can accommodate a 9m tall fire and an anechoic chamber that absorbs all sound allowing for no echo at all an underground tube train that is used to test passenger air quality and the world s largest timber library

2 BRE influence on a local and global scale BRE Innovation Park In 2005, BRE created an Innovation Park showcasing world leading sustainable homes and buildings on its site. Since its creation, the Park has attracted over 60,000 visitors to its site, raising the profile of the company and its location, locally, nationally and globally. VIP guests have included Prime Minister David Cameron Chinese Vice-Premier Li Keqiang Business Secretary Vince Cable HRH the Prince of Wales Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg The BRE site hosts thousands of children and hundreds of schools, guide groups and college students every year who come to see the site Innovation Park and learn about buildings and Climate Change. Other facts about BRE BRE has a small scale replica of the Mohne Dam used to test the Barnes Wallace bouncing bomb. BRE created the world first environmental assessment method for buildings 22 years ago In 20 BRE s Innovation Park launched the world s first volume build zero carbon house - the Kingspan Lighthouse. BRE conducted a series of tests for NASA to determine how fire would behave in a zero gravity environment In 1985 a BRE film for the Fire and Rescue Service led to an overhaul of the furniture industry and its approach to fire safety. BRE s SMARTWaste tools have measured over 13 million tonnes of waste so far, equivalent to 130,000 Blue Whales

3 Why does BRE need to redevelop its site? To ensure that we continue to have a financially successful and thriving business that supports the local community, we need to upgrade our facilities. To fund these improvements we are considering the release of a part of our of land for development as a housing scheme. We are currently developing a plan which will allow us to: Group our operations into a smaller area of land, to reduce our operating costs and create space which will then be used for new housing Improve our current buildings and facilities and ensure we continue to be a world class organisation providing local employment Provide flexible, modern facilities in tune with the expertise within the company and the expectations of our clients and employees Reduce maintenance and operating costs which in turn supports the wider environment and the company s future Respond to local needs and provide a platform for closer working with our neighbours From the old to the new

4 Constraints and Opportunities Constraints 140m Site boundary and access points - site security make the site inaccessible with limited access points 02 Public transport access through the site is not available 830m 05 The nearest bus stop is more than 400m distance from site 13 Noise disturbance due to the close proximity of the motorway Disused buildings on site in poor state of repair 14 Sloping site Opportunities Bricket Wood amenities are in close proximity 05 Bricket Wood station is within easy reach by foot or cycling 400m 09 PM PM Mid Day AM N AM Potential link to Mount Pleasant Lane JMI school The mature woodland within the boundary is rich in biodiversity 09 Historical buildings are an attraction to the site Existing buildings in parkland setting Innovation Park is a public attraction 12 Listed model of Mohne Dam is an attraction to the site Key Access point open to visitors and BRE staff Access point only open to staff Disused access point Existing roads Noise disturbance from motorway Historical Buildings - late Victorian Buildings in poor state of repair Isolated buildings

5 Vision It is crucial that any redevelopment of BRE s site maximises the sustainability potential. As part of our consolidation works, it is envisaged that the north of the site will be developed as an integrated community including around 0 sustainable BRE Gartson homes. BRE are open-minded how this may happen and welcome your Vision & about Conclusion thoughts and suggestions. Sustainable development An opportunity to provide new sustainable housing in the north of the site. This land will be made available through the consolidation of existing BRE facilities into the heart of the site. As well as creating a more welcoming setting for BRE, its surrounding landscape setting can be made more accessible 83 0m Improved connections 02 Open up new connections to the site, connecting key destinations - such as Watford Junction station and Bricket Wood Potential to provide a new bus route through the site Potential new cycle routes and footpaths through the site provide better connection to the railway stations 05 Potential new school access for Mount Pleasant Lane JMI School N 02 Open space and public realm Opportunity to make better use of the inaccessible mature woodland by opening it to the public Potential to encourage visitors to the area by opening attractions to the public, such as the listed Mohne Dam and the Innovation Park Opportunity to provide new public realm and open spaces within the housing development 09 Opportunity to showcase sustainable construction practices Opportunity to meet housing demand deficit Key Sustainable development:. An opportunity to provide new sustainable housing north of the site This land will be made available through the consolidation of existing BRE facilities close to the heart of the site. As well as creating a more welcoming setting for the BRE its surrounding landscaped setting can be made more accessible. Improvement to junctions and access Public spaces Acoustic Buffer Possibility for additional school entrance Improved connections: 02. Opportunity to open up new connections through the site connecting key destinations - such as Watford Junction Station and Bricket Wood Village.. Potential to provide a new bus route through the site;. Potential new cycle routes and footpaths through site to provide a better connection to the railway stations; 05. New secondary access for Mount Pleasant Lane JMI School; Open Space and Public Realm:. Opportunity to make better use of the inaccessible mature woodland by opening them to the public.. Potential to encourage visitors to the area by opening to the public attractions such as the historic buildings; Listed Mohne dam and the innovation centre.. Listed Mohne dam within the mature orchard could be of public interest providing an opportunity to open it up to the public. 09. Opportunity to provide new public realm and open spaces within the housing development.. Innovation centre. Opportunity to use sustainable materials New sustainable housing blocks Potential new pedestrial route through woods New drainage System Potential new public transport links Innovation Centre Potential new cycle route BRE zone