Sustainability in its most fundamental form has always played a big part in our approach to property development. We like to work with buildings which have lost their viable use and give them a new life in a new use. We get a real thrill out of creating remarkable business space from buildings others would raze to the ground.

It’s a simple fact but one that’s often overlooked; recycling an existing building is the most sustainable start to any project. The energy required to demolish and rebuild from scratch is huge. It’s therefore a lot kinder to the environment to think creatively about what you alreday have.

Many years ago we began creating plans for one of the UK’s largest sustainable mixed communities. The scheme which is already home to 35 companies is called Lingfield Point in Darlington in the north east of England. The 107 acre site, which is the former home of Patons & Baldwins wool factory, is set to become a really exciting example of what’s possible in sustainable development.

The proposals include 1250 new low-energy homes, a school, shops, cafes and bars as well as public sports facilities, allotments and cutting edge business space.

There will be on site power generation and a district heating system. At Lingfield Point we’re in the fortunate position of having outline planning consent for our own combined heat and power unit, a wind turbine and a biomass generator which could, in future, provide most of the power the needs of the development.

There are already plans underway on site to produce our own organic fruit and veg which will then be used in our café and nursery school. And if that isn’t enough we’re now in the business of bee-keeping and organic honey production from our very own hives on site.

To date the scheme has been a huge success with each building letting prior to completion and many big companies choosing to make Lingfield Point their home. It’s clear that customers want sustainable buildings of this quality and that in turn has made the decision to seriously commit ourselves to it even easier.

You might think this all sounds a bit too touchy-feely but it adds up to good profitable business.