What we're building:
Sustainability Approach

The Hay Community Campus will be designed to minimise its impact on the environment and the remarkable landscape it sits within.

 

Our ambition is to get as close to carbon neutral as possible. We're inspired by the Living Building Challenge, one of the world's most demanding green building standards. While full certification is an ambitious goal, its seven principles are guiding every stage of our thinking.

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Energy

The campus will generate its own renewable energy through solar panels installed across the rooftops. Heating and hot water will be supplied by air source or ground source heat pumps, eliminating reliance on fossil fuels. The aim is a campus that produces as much energy as it consumes.

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Getting here sustainably

An EV charging canopy in the car park will make it easier for residents and visitors to arrive by electric vehicle. The canopy itself will be fitted with solar. 

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The location is accessible by foot from all parts of Hay. Bike storage will also be provided.

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Water and drainage

Surface water across the site will be managed through Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS), a Welsh Government requirement for all new developments of this scale, and one we fully embrace. 

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In practice, this is likely to include a pond on site, a feature that does important drainage work while also improving biodiversity. A well-designed pond in this setting could support amphibians, insects and birds, create a natural focal point within the landscape, and connect visitors with the natural world on their doorstep.

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Nature and biodiversity

The campus will be required to demonstrate a net biodiversity gain as part of the planning process and we intend to go beyond the minimum. Green infrastructure, planting and habitat features will be woven into the design, ensuring the site supports the natural environment of the National Park.

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Dark Skies

Hay-on-Wye sits within one of Wales' most valued dark sky environments. Any lighting on the campus will be sensitively designed, carefully directed and kept to the minimum needed for safety in full accordance with National Park guidance on light pollution.

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Materials

We are committed to using sustainable, non-toxic and responsibly sourced materials throughout construction. Where possible, we will prioritise local suppliers and materials with a low carbon footprint, reducing the environmental cost of the build itself, not just the building in use.