Earth Day 2025 – Sustainable Design & Commercial Development
In celebration of Earth Day 2025, GLM are demonstrating how careful planning and creative thinking can result in a low-carbon, biodiverse and energy efficient commercial development. GLM are the architects and design team leader behind the regeneration of Haithwaite Farm, Cumbria, into a mixed use retail and leisure-tourism destination. The project, which is currently on site, has sustainable design principles at its core, providing a great case study for discussion on Earth Day.
Low Carbon Heating & Renewable Energy Generation
Haithwaite Farm has been designed with energy independence and carbon reduction in mind. The buildings on site are heated using a biomass fueled district heating network. A third of the fuel proposed to be used will be processed on the estate from a willow plantation, with the rest being sourced locally. This low-carbon technology is matched with high levels of insulation and airtightness, meaning buildings use considerably less energy to stay warm.
The Farm also has on-site solar PV panels which provide renewable electricity for use in both domestic rental properties and the commercial functions of the farm destination. The use of PV panels reduces their reliance on the national grid and contributes to the decarbonisation of the local energy network.
Landscape, SUDS, Biodiversity & Tree Planting
Access to Haithwaite Farm is via the kilometre long tree lined avenue, which has been a prominent landscape feature in the area for decades. The preservation of the tree-lined avenue was a priority in project’s landscape strategy, however, it has not been without challenges.
The road surface of the tree lined avenue had to be permeable to protect the existing trees’ access to nutrients, yet robust enough for the load expected from modern traffic. Working with landscape consultants Harrison Stevens and civil engineers Curtins, we have developed a strategy that reinforces the resilience of the avenue and provides improved ground conditions by draining the land around it.
A decision was also taken to remove areas of overgrown beech hedge and fungal infected horse chestnut trees, which caused controversy with local residents. However, a variety of local native species were replanted, which gives the landscape a more diverse and resilient future and will ensure that the avenue if thriving in 50-100 years to come. In all, 150 new hardwood trees will be planted on the site, boosting carbon sequestration and providing valuable habitat for birds, bats and pollinators.
Working with the existing ecology of the site, the design team developed a SuDS (Sustainable Drainage System) plan that manages rainwater naturally, with swales, retention ponds, and permeable surfaces reducing flood risk and increasing habitat areas for the surrounding wildlife resulting in a substantial biodiversity gain for the site as a whole.
Reducing Carbon Through Material Specification
Material choices across the redevelopment project were guided by a focus on embodied carbon and local sourcing. GLM advocated for the use of timber framed construction for new building elements across the site where appropriate.
“We demonstrated to the client that specifying timber structures rather than steelwork across the smaller buildings proposed on site would save 70,000,000kgs of CO2 alone.”
Derek McDonald – Project Architect
Reuse was another key strategy: where existing stone buildings were structurally sound they have been retained and been repurposed, preserving both heritage value and embedded carbon. Where existing stone buildings had deteriorated to a point where restoration was prohibitive, we identified 70% of their stone would be suitable for reuse and will be recycled in their reconstruction. The remaining 30% of stone from collapsed stone buildings will be used in landscaping, limiting the requirement for sourcing new stone to be transported to site.
Finally, low-toxicity insulation materials such as wood fibre have been specified over petrochemically based products, helping ensure a breathable building envelope with minimal environmental impact.
In conclusion, the Haithwaite Farm redevelopment project has a holistic approach to sustainability. By aiming for best practice and through collaboration with other consultants we have arrived at a solution that provides a viable commercial development. It is also cheaper to run, has a positive environmental impact on its surroundings and creates warm well insulated spaces for the public to use.
