Hammerson won Property Week's Sustainability Achievement Award for 2015 on 21 April with their B&Q Eco Learning Store in Merthyr Tydfil. 

The B&Q ‘eco-learning’ store in Cyfarthfa Retail Park in Merthyr Tydfil features a range of sustainable initiatives that present a significant improvement in its environmental performance when compared to a similar store.  

The eco-learning store includes features such as a rainwater harvesting system, green roof, sustainable materials, low energy lighting and an innovative ‘Transpired Solar Collector’ system which provides renewable heat and therefore significantly reduces the heating energy consumed and carbon footprint of the store. A wood effect rain screen on the main elevations and a low profile roof helps to reduce the visual impact from nearby Cyfarthfa Castle, a requirement of the local planning authority. 

The B&Q eco-learning store presents a highly sustainable blueprint for retail parks and demonstrates what can be achieved by landlord and tenants working collaboratively. A set of best practice sustainability targets were agreed between Hammerson and B&Q, above and beyond the necessary requirements of the local planning authority. The targets addressed energy and carbon intensity, embodied carbon, recycled content, responsibly sourced timber, waste generation, water consumption, biodiversity and adaptation to climate change.

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