Oakmayne Properties gains planning permission for sustainable mixed-use development

Oakmayne Properties has been given the go ahead for 拢70m mixed-used scheme in Elephant & Castle, south London, which has a strong emphasis in sustainability.

The Oakmayne Plaza project will have three contrasting towers containing 216 residential private homes, a 214 bedroom hotel and a five screen arts cinema, offices restaurants and retails units.

The development is aiming to be one of the most sustainable of its kind. Anthony Coumidis, sustainability expert at McBains Cooper, said: 鈥淭he aim is to use less energy, use renewable energy and to supply the energy efficiently.鈥�

McBains Cooper has suggested the following solutions for the project:

鈥� A district heating/cooling system to link all the buildings together.

鈥� CHP (combined heat and power) to serve the development.

鈥� A geothermal heat pump system.

鈥淭he surplus heat from the CHP plant can be utilised to top up the geothermal loop and to provide domestic hot water services,鈥� said Anthony. 鈥淗eat pumps offer the lowest carbon emission method of heating any building.鈥�

McBains Cooper is also considering the use of wind turbines and photovoltaic cells and low energy construction components will be encouraged.

A garage currently located on the 1-acre freehold site will be demolished and make way for the new roundabout gateway.

Work on site is scheduled to start early next year and completion is planned for 2009. PKS is the architect. No contractor has yet been appointed.