DEVELOPING IN TOP GEAR As a developer, Jim McAllister was passionate about having a regard for the environment long before it became fashionable. The plans for Dunsfold Park continue the long tradition of responsible development
Jim McAllister
Aerial view of Dunsfold Park
Surrey Business Magazine: You set up The Rutland Group back in 1984. What was the inspiration for setting up the company?
of hard work. As developers we have always recognised that our activities impact on the environment and the communities in which we work. We see this as a force for good, enabling us to influence and ensure the highest quality in the built environment. We are proud of our record for carrying out detailed consultation and careful masterplanning and of the awards that we have received, not only for our buildings, but for landscaping and the environmental ratings of our projects. This goes to the heart of our business philosophy, principles and ethics.
Jim McAllister: When I started out, the companies that I worked for did not have a proper regard for the environment. Developers have an enormous opportunity to improve the environments in which they work. I decided that was a role I wanted to do myself and formed The Rutland Group. SBM: The company prides itself on sustainability. What practices do you put in place to remain environmentally friendly? JM: Sustainability is the foundation on which we continue to build our business. It takes vision, passion and a lot
The company has the distinction of having created the 200 acre Bedfont Lakes Country Park, the largest public park built in London in the 20th century. At Dunsfold Park we are continuing to incorporate sustainability into everything we do and have recently finished building an anaerobic digestion plant that will produce Biogas to complement our
AT DUNSFOLD PARK WE ARE CONTINUING TO INCORPORATE SUSTAINABILITY IN EVERYTHING WE DO
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existing 2 MW solar farm. The solar farm secured the site’s place in history as the first business park in the UK to be fed principally by green energy. SBM: What prompted you to buy Dunsfold Park in 2002 and what was your vision? JM: The Rutland Group had previously worked on projects with BAE Systems. When they approached us about disposing of Dunsfold Aerodrome, the unique opportunity it presented was too good to pass up. I also know the local area well, having lived here for more than 30 years, and wanted to ensure that anything done with the site was sympathetic and not only enhanced the local area, but gave something back to the community. We are proud of our Surrey heritage and we value our relationship with the people of Waverley. We want Dunsfold Park to be the best example of new development in the borough and beyond – a place where people are proud to live and work.
