The first UK New Construction 2018 certified building
Project Details
- Certificate Number: BREEAM-0078-2573
- Stage: Final
- Scheme & Version: New Construction 2018 Industrial
- Location: Chelmsford, UK
- Score & Rating: 57.7% Very Good
Project Team
- Client/Developer: CJH Farming
- Assessor Company: Hilson Moran Partnership Ltd
- Contractor: A.C.Bacon Engineering ltd
Why did this building undergo BREEAM Certification
Originally a condition of the planning consent, BREEAM provided the opportunity to create a highly desirable and efficient building that counters any misconception that a shell only industrial unit has limited opportunities to be sustainable. The project reflects CJH Farming’s ambition and enthusiasm for sustainability, with which the project was approached.
The BREEAM assessment was a smooth process with excellent collaboration between the Client, the Contractor and us. Sustainability is about more than a certification rating though. Thanks to BREEAM, the team delivered an industrial building with low environmental impact and enhanced ecology. — Olga Koumaditou, BREEAM AP & Assessor, Hilson Moran
What benefits does BREEAM give you?
BREEAM was selected as the most robust and well-known certification scheme to ensure best environmental practice was incorporated, despite the limited scale and scope of the project. This environmental certification standard was viewed as an opportunity to create a highly desirable and efficient building, a precedent for the Client’s future projects.
What was done differently as a result of the BREEAM process?
Special consideration was given to the site’s ecology with the appointment of an Ecologist that encouraged
improvement of long term biodiversity for the surrounding land, which aligns with the goals of best practice
sustainable farming.

consisted largely of hardstanding after clearance of the previous industrial activity in the wider Little Boyton Hall Farm area. Due to the development’s location in the countryside, the appointment of an Ecologist early in design was extremely important to advise on protection and ecological enhancements of the surrounding habitats. A landscape and ecology management plan was produced to secure ongoing monitoring, management and maintenance of the site and its habitats and to ensure intended outcomes of the enhancements are realised over the long term.



After initial reservations about the requirement to undertake the BREEAM Certification the outcome has been worth the extra thought, effort and cost required. BREEAM certification has made me, as the landlord, think and investigate this building project as a whole – not just the construction materials, but the effect on resources, the environment and to ensure it is sustainable in the future. BREEAM certification was recognised by potential tenants; it ensured the building was let quickly, at a good level of rent, in advance of completion. — Chris Philpot, Director, CJH Farming (Client)
To enable compliance with the BREEAM standards on a project of this nature, sourcing of suitable materials from compliant suppliers was a key factor. With this in mind, for the largest elements of the project, we elected to use TATA Steel UK Limited sourced steelwork for the structural frame, and Kingspan Limited cladding panels on the roof & walls owing to their ability to achieve credits in 6 of the 10 BREEAM categories and their LPCB fire certification. This was our second project working alongside CJH Farming involving BREEAM. The first project was completed in accordance with the UKNC2014 standards. Although the UKNC 2018 standards are more onerous and required additional input, we were able to draw upon previously collaborated information. — Wesley Baines, Senior Sales Engineer, A.C. Bacon Engineering (Steel Frame & Cladding Contractor)