Rutland Mills

Keen to achieve an ‘Excellent’ BREEAM certification, the main contractors on a new 135,000 sq. ft creative industries hub development in Wakefield required the trusted expertise of MEP consultants, Whitecode Consulting.

The comprehensive development project, led by Morgan Sindall in partnership with Wakefield Council, was the final part of a 10-acre regeneration masterplan that aimed to breathe new life into Wakefield’s riverside area.

With sustainability a key focus of the project, Wakefield Council and the main contractor wanted to incorporate a variety of energy efficient systems, such as PV panels and low carbon heating and cooling. This was vital if the client was to achieve the BREEAM certification they wanted.

Stephen Barrett, Senior Site Manager at Morgan Sindall, revealed he’d been passed Whitecode Consulting’s details by a business associate, who’d worked with the MEP consultants in the past and valued their sustainability expertise.

He said: “Achieving an ‘Excellent’ BREEAM rating for this development was incredibly important to us and Wakefield Council. So, it was vital that we worked with experienced consultants who could help us do exactly that.

“Whitecode Consulting was recommended to us by an associate of ours in the industry. They’d worked with them to achieve a similar BREEAM rating for one of their projects in the past.

“Thanks to Whitecode’s exceptional advice and support throughout the project, we are set to achieve an ‘Excellent’ BREEAM rating for this extensive project.”

As Whitecode Consulting joined the project post-planning stage, some of the early BREEAM credits were not achievable. Additionally, part way through the design, Building Regulations changed from 2013 to 2021 specifications, affecting the relevant requirements of BREEAM, too. This required an update to ensure that the original target of ‘Excellent’ could still be achieved.

Whitecode Consulting’s experienced sustainability team worked alongside the main contractor’s consultants to collate the planning stage evidence and reference it in line with the BREEAM credits.

As a result of Whitecode Consulting’s expert advice and guidance, the project is on track to achieve the targeted BREEAM rating of ‘Excellent.’

The new build and development project took place at the former derelict Rutland Mills site in Wakefield. Featuring a complex of 19th century buildings that had been derelict for 20 years and had deteriorated significantly, the site would be turned into a major creative industry hub that included workspaces, a state-of-the-art hotel, a bistro café, a multi-use event space, an educational facility, a gin bar, and a stunning new restaurant that offered outdoor dining and a great view of the River Calder on the relaxing riverside pier.

In addition, a new central courtyard would allow for breakout activity, as well as providing an opportunity for large scale music and food and drink events.

The comprehensive project was completed in August 2024.