RPS worked closely as project architects and engineers with waste management company Donarbon, on the concept design, planning application and detailed design for a £35m Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT) facility at Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire. The scheme, in partnership with Cambridgeshire County Council, has subsequently been awarded the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Award for Climate Change. The accolade was announced at the recent RTPI National Awards Ceremony.
Every year the RTPI holds a competition aimed at recognising both the diversity of land use planning activity, highlighting innovation, best practise and delivery of projects, plans, partnerships and initiatives. As an exemplar to other local authorities and waste management companies, the judges decided that the Cambridge Waste Management Park deserved an award in the Climate Change category. It is believed to be the first time that a waste facility has ever won such a commendation.
The County Council and Donarbon jointly entered the development of the large Waste Management Park. The entry sought to highlight the move away from landfill towards a more carbon friendly future through increased recycling, composting and recovery of waste at the site.
The RTPI panel were impressed with the excellent engagement there had been with the local community over the plans for the development of the Waste Management Park. The judges commented ‘This project shows how co-operation can overcome historical negative perceptions. We were impressed by what has already been achieved in the park through the extensive recycling and waste minimisation activities, which will help to deliver a wide range of sustainability and climate change objectives’.
Richard Smyth, Associate Architect, RPS commented ‘We were delighted to be engaged as lead design consultants on this project. Working closely with an informed client allowed us to turn design concepts into reality. This award further underpins Donarbon’s commitment to tackling the problems of waste through partnership working with the County Council and local community’.
The large project passed through its planning application stages quickly, with no opposition. This was largely due to Donarbon being proactive about the scheme within the local community. In addition to the scheme design, RPS also produced detailed 3D images to support the public relations campaign.
For more information please contact:
RPS Newark – Planning & Development
T: +44 (0) 1636 605 700