10/05/22: Sustainability award celebrates new Breckland accommodation centre

Breckland Council and construction consultancy Daniel Connal Partnership (DCP), who worked together in delivering a new temporary accommodation centre in Thetford, are celebrating winning the Norfolk Constructing Excellence Award for Sustainability.

The Elm House project in Thetford saw the transformation of a disused 1960s Thetford school and day care centre to provide temporary accommodation supporting up to 35 residents back into long term housing. Building waste on the site was either reused during the new project or recycled into new building products, resulting in no materials going into the waste chain. As part of the project a new energy efficient hot water and lighting system was installed, with solar power boosting the hot water system. With all of the changes, the building's Energy Performance Certificate rating improved from a low F to an impressive B rating.

Cllr Paul Claussen, Executive Member for Economic Development and Growth at Breckland Council commented: "Receiving this sustainability award with our DCP partners is a wonderful accomplishment for the Elm House project team. The award highlights how Elm House is now changing lives and bringing new life into a disused building via an award-winning sustainable construction."

Robert Dale, Senior Partner at Daniel Connal Partnership, said: "We are so proud of our dedicated team, who worked extremely hard to deliver this amazing project in Thetford in conjunction with Breckland Council, which has now been recognised as leading the way in sustainable construction within Norfolk."