Mayor's zero carbon development to set standard

Mayor of London Ken Livingstone today announced that the Crest Nicholson, Bioregional Quintain and Southern Housing Group 'One Gallions' consortium has been selected as the preferred development partner for the zero carbon development at Gallions Park, in the Royal Docks in East London.

Their proposal for approximately 200 homes, incorporated a scheme whereby all homes would be designed as net zero carbon, and built to the highest environmental standards, including renewable energy sources . The 'One Gallions' consortium was chosen after competitive commercial selection process beating four other short-listed consortia.

The Mayor said:

"Energy used and wasted in buildings in our city is responsible for the majority of carbon dioxide emitted in London. If this city is to play its part in tackling climate change the buildings we construct today have to be fit for a low-carbon future - designed and built to run on renewable fuels and to be highly energy efficient. I am therefore extremely pleased that the development industry responded so positively to the challenge this first zero carbon scheme represents. I am confident that the winning consortium will go on to develop a landmark scheme that helps set the standard for environmentally sustainable development across London."

Jenny Jones Green Party London Assembly member said:

"Gallion's Park must become the future for all development, both in London and across the rest of the UK. We have to get very serious about climate change and its impact on every sector of our economy and, just as we are doing here in the capital, plan so that we create the lightest possible carbon footprint."

Simon Reddy of Greenpeace UK said:

"Carbon emissions from homes are a major contributor to climate change. Greenpeace is therefore very pleased to be part of this zero emissions initiative with the Mayor, that sets new standards for buildings in the UK.'

Ted Kyzer, Group Director for Olympic & Pan-London Infrastructure at the London Development Agency said:

"This zero carbon development at Gallions Park shows that we can build environmentally-friendly homes on a commercial scale. We'll be learning from the experience and looking to replicate this in future developments across London."

The London Development Agency will also be staging an exhibition of all the designs submitted by short listed consortia from 9 March - 14 April at New London Architecture. The short listed consortia were: L & Q Group; Guinness Trust/Gallions Housing Association; Crest Nicholson/Bioregional Quintain/Southern Housing Association; Metropolitan/J Leon & Co Ltd; Bellway/Genesis Housing Group; and Lendlease/First Base.

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For media enquiries, please contact Robert Beasley at the LDA Media Team on 020 7593 8437; for public enquiries, please call 020 7593 9000.

Notes to Editors

The London Development Agency has selected a three acre site at Gallions Park in the Albert Docks where the chosen development partner will build 200 high quality new homes that incorporate the best of modern construction and energy technology to ensure the development produces virtually zero carbon emissions.

Following receipt of seventeen expressions of interest, six potential development partners have been short listed, all of whom are established UK companies. The closing date for submissions was 20 November 2006.  The LDA, advised by its agents Drivers Jonas, will then interview each consortia and select a preferred development partner in December. Each submission will be judged against various criteria including quality of urban design & architecture, value for money, the financial strength of the submission and its ability to deliver a zero carbon development.

The LDA has been working with Arup, global design and engineering consultants, (whose expertise was brought into the development of the world's first 'eco-city' Dongtan in China) in working up the first phase of this project.

A zero carbon development is one that achieves zero net carbon emissions from energy use on site, on an annual basis. (See 'Towards Zero Carbon Developments', London Energy Partnership 2006 - available at http://www.london.gov.uk/mayor/environment/energy/index.jsp).

This process is being managed by Drivers Jonas on behalf of the LDA. Commercial enquiries should be directed at Drivers Jonas via the Drivers Jonas website or call Holly Hilliard at 020 7896 8322 or hollyhilliard@driversjonas.com or Matthew Evans at 020 7896 8042 matthewevans@driversjonas.com.

The London Development Agency works to improve the quality of life for all Londoners and drive sustainable economic growth.