Combining ESG with urban logistics developments at Metroplex Park in Tolworth

Last summer, Chancerygate, in partnership with specialist sustainable and impact investor Bridges Fund Management, started work on Metroplex Park in Tolworth.

This is in direct response to the continual demand for high-quality accommodation in this strategic area for businesses serving Kingston and wider south-west London markets.

Located in the Red Lion Business Park off Red Lion Road, the development comprises nine Grade A, highly sustainable units ranging from 4,450 to 18,100 sq ft.

This was a previously underutilised brownfield site, identified by the local authority for industrial use to meet a need in the borough, driven by strong population growth and the changing operational requirements of local businesses. Once complete, tenants will have an excellent opportunity to benefit from the site’s connectivity to vital infrastructure links, including the A3 Kingston Bypass, central London and junction 10 of the M25 accessing over 18 million customers within a 50-mile radius.

Another key factor which we have considered closely is the scheme’s ESG (environmental, social and governance) credentials. ESG represents an increasingly important area for organisations. Adopting a robust, meaningful strategy can unlock significant benefits, including operational efficiencies, stronger risk management, improved brand reputation, employee attractiveness and a competitive advantage. By investing in high quality units with strong ESG credentials, Metroplex Park aims to attract conscious occupiers with aligned values, bringing new employment opportunities to the area.

Achieving the highest ESG standards

Metroplex Park is on track to achieve a BREEAM Excellent rating. BREEAM is an independent assessment to rate the sustainability of buildings during both construction and operation and is regularly updated with the latest technologies and best practices. The assessment is holistic in nature, meaning Metroplex Park meets high standards across energy and water use, the quality of the internal environment (health and wellbeing), pollution, transport, materials, waste and ecology.

The importance of energy efficiency & low carbon targets in urban logistics

Climate change has a long term societal and environmental impact and is one of the most pressing global issues. As a society, we need to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2050 if we are to avoid the worst impacts. Yet last December’s COP28 global climate conference highlighted that we are not on track to achieve this.

In response, we are continually reviewing the design and construction of our developments to integrate low-carbon solutions.

Our standard is to first make the units as energy efficient as possible. We do this by using highquality insulative materials, controlling air tightness to reduce air leakage and selecting energy efficient equipment. Air source heat pumps also means no fossil fuels are needed to power the building.

The main source of renewable energy is via solar panels. The units are targeting EPCA+ for energy efficiency which means that the energy needs for running the building are met by rooftop solar panels.

This can benefit tenants with their corporate sustainability strategies and helps future proof against increasing regulations. Presently, the MEES regulations require commercial properties to meet an EPC E rating, but by 2027, properties will need to be at least a C and a B by 2030.

The energy efficient design also brings a significant reduction in overall running costs. Compared to one of our newly built units, an equivalent unit built in the 1990’s, that had not undergone any refurbishment, could cost around 15 times more to run. In addition, the electricity provided by the solar panels could provide cost savings of up to £2.11 per sq ft per annum, depending on electricity prices. Given that utility costs have faced significant price volatility in the past two years, this can reduce exposure to future price uncertainty. We also carried out a whole life carbon assessment for the Metroplex Park scheme which calculated the embodied emissions of the construction materials and the energy utilised during construction. Our current estimates for the development’s proposed embodied emissions align with the pathway needed to limit global warming to 1.5°C. It is important to understand the full carbon footprint of developments so that going forward, alternatives can be considered.

Sustainable transport

Data from HMRC showed that in 2022, electric vehicles (EVs) accounted for seven per cent of company cars, up from one per cent the previous year. This highlights why it is important that schemes like Metroplex Park are futureproofed against growing EV demand.

Compared to petrol and diesel vehicles, the use of EVs significantly reduces air pollution and carbon emissions. This is particularly important in urban areas, where high levels of air pollution pose a health risk for residents and those who work in the area. Road transport represents the biggest source of air pollution in the Borough of Kingston upon Thames.

Metroplex Park provides a total of nine dual active charge points, which equates to two charge points per unit. Ducting is in place for all the other parking spaces, providing the option to include additional charge points in the future. Supporting other modes of transport, such as walking and cycling can mitigate traffic and pollution. The residential areas of Tolworth are within a 15-minute walk while Surbiton and Chessington are within a 15-minute cycle. The park will provide external bike shelters with additional provision inside the units to encourage cycling.

Health and wellbeing

Metroplex Park incorporates high standards for the health and wellbeing of tenants, covering visual and thermal comfort and indoor air quality.

We are planting over 70 new trees, providing useful shade in the summer months alongside a small amenity area for tenants with seating and native species planting. Despite the site’s urban nature, this provides biodiversity and urban greening enhancement compared to its previous use as open storage and car parking.

Supporting the local community

The Chancerygate Foundation supports young people from British African and Caribbean heritage, a significantly underrepresented demographic in the property sector, to access and thrive in a career in property through mentorship, bursaries and work experience. The Metroplex scheme enabled Chancerygate Foundation students, four of which were living and studying locally at Kingston University, to gain direct experience of a construction site. We have also organised work experience by providing placements for students throughout the spring and summer.

Our team for Metroplex Park also presented to first and final year real estate management students to talk about their experiences and guide them as they make their career choices within the real estate sector.

To support the wider community, Chancerygate and building contractor, Harmonix Construction, donated to Dysart School, a local primary school less than a mile from Metroplex Park which provides for pupils with a broad range of severe and complex learning disabilities.

This donation went towards the purchase of two new minibuses after their previous vehicles were not compliant with the expanded ULEZ boundaries.

A long-term asset for Tolworth

The construction and development industry plays a vital role in driving economic growth and providing employment opportunities. Yet now, our society is at a turning point where we need to prioritise delivering developments in a responsible, sustainable way.

By developing Metroplex Park, we have considered how we can maximise this by developing sustainable buildings that can benefit both future occupiers and the local community.

more information, visit www.chancerygate.com or search ‘Chancerygate Metroplex Park’.