Sustainability

Our commitment to sustainable and environmental awareness within sensitive and ecological areas are driven by our principle policies which are regularly monitored and reviewed

As part of Thomas Vale’s commitment and focus on the environment, we assess each project prior to commencement to determine and identify any possible affects our construction works may or may not have on the surrounding environment. We work closely with the Environmental Agency to ensure that prior to any planning applications being submitted, a statement has been produced to highlighted the areas of concern to ensure that all issues are addressed and resolved before works commence.

Sustainability is about minimising the impact of our operations and the impact of the finished Buildings we construct on the environment. This includes socio-economic factors (such as local employment, training and community issues) as well as the more easily recognised ecological and carbon reduction issues.

Design and construction are the two key stages in providing efficient and sustainable developments. By the time a building has been built, 80‑90% of its life‑cycle, economic and ecological costs have already been made inevitable. It is imperative we do not miss the opportunity to get this right during these stages.

What have we done with regards to life cycle assessments?

  • Extensive experience of the design of education and other public buildings, life cycle costs fundamental of our business case
  • HAPM guidelines, we are now seeing an increased awareness of capital costs versus Whole Life Cost calculations within the Social Housing Sector
  • Information presented simply to ensure all parties understand costing data and analysis to allow decisions to be made on design and specifications
  • We will attempt to enhance the scheme and not propose inferior products with reduced life expectancy in proposing any alternative specifications

Integration of Whole Life Costing within Design Process

  • Produce with the Team a detailed Life Cycle Cost appraisal for each of the building elements which can then be fully considered for selection/approval stage
  • Develop a programme progresses as a guide to the future maintenance cost of the facility over the operational lifetime of the dwellings
  • Data is accurate and realistic future maintenance cost forecast is available

Involvement of Client and Key Stakeholders in Material Selection Process

  • Essential Stakeholders are involved throughout the material selection process
  • A common problem we encounter in assisting the delivery of buildings at lower maintenance costs is that Clients decisions can still be routinely based on the lowest capital and not best value criteria
  • Our experience therefore that criteria needs to be established from the outset and a senior decision maker/auditor to be in place to ensure probity in all decisions

Accreditations and Affiliations