Wartime Cornish airfield scoops MOD sustainability award
A construction project which delivered a new centre to train Royal Navy fire fighters in Cornwall has scooped the MOD’s prestigious Sanctuary Award today – thanks to its environmental credentials.
Winning the award in the Sustainable Projects category, Debut Services worked with the MOD to construct the facility for the Royal Naval School of Flight Deck Operations at Predannack, a former World War II airfield.
The project was constructed in an ecologically important Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) within a largely inaccessible Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
A modular building, self-contained drainage system and multiple energy efficient methods helped minimise the environmental impact, also leading to the project being short-listed for a Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors award.
Chris Daniels, Debut Services Project Manager, said:
“Debut was pleased to deliver this successful training facility, which has reduced operational costs and impact on the SSSI whilst blending into the landscape of the AONB.
“The project generated virtually no waste and the innovative design has also provided a valuable resource for future stewardship of this historic site. Health, safety, welfare and operational arrangements have been dramatically improved and these benefits will continue for many years.
“Winning the Sanctuary Award is a wonderful recognition of our project team's efforts to provide a sensitive and sustainable solution along with outstanding value for money.”
He added that other early users of the facility were a family of swallows (hirundo rustica) nesting over the back door and breeding this year.
Representing the Sanctuary Award Board Marcus Yeo, Chief Executive of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), said:
“I have been a member of the judging panel for the Sanctuary Awards for several years, and I am always impressed by the breadth and quality of environmental work undertaken on MOD property. This year has been no exception and it was a hard task to select award winners from such a diverse range of high-quality submissions.”
Ends
Further information:
Press enquiries to Tony Moran, Senior Communications Officer 0121 311 3879 or email tony.moran572@mod.uk DIO website: http://www.mod.uk/dio
Note for editors
1. The Sanctuary Awards are organised, on behalf of the Ministry of Defence (MOD), by Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO).
2. DIO is part of the MOD. It is responsible for managing and maintaining land and properties to meet the current and future needs of the MOD and personnel at home and abroad, and support current operations.Its work includes providing, supporting and improving: operational units; single living and service family accommodation; training areas and historic military sites. DIO actively manages these to ensure the needs of Defence are met, value for money is achieved, our heritage is protected and to achieve our environmental goals.
3. DIO was formed on 1 April 2011 when the former Defence Estates (DE) organisation was brought together with other property and infrastructure functions within department to form a single organisation. DIO manages the MOD’s property infrastructure and ensures strategic management of the Defence estate as a whole.
4. The Sanctuary Awards aim to recognise and encourage group and individual efforts that benefit wildlife, archaeology, environmental improvement or community awareness of conservation on or within land and property that MOD owns or uses in theUK or overseas.
5. For imagery, please visit the Defence Imagery website at www.defenceimagery.mod.uk
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