Blue Bell Lane Health Centre

Bluebell Lane Health Centre, accommodating four GPs and a range of PCT services, is one of the first primary care schemes to achieve a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating and incorporates innovative systems to minimise its carbon footprint.

Date

2010

Client

Renova Developments Ltd

Value

£5m

Blue Bell Lane Health Centre provides a range of services, including four GP practices, PCT services and a pharmacy, to the community in Huyton, Liverpool. The Centre is one of 12 completed projects in the Renova LIFT Framework for Halton and St Helens, Knowsley and Warrington Primary Care Trusts. The scheme occupies a high profile site on one of Liverpool’s major approach roads.

Blue Bell Lane was designed to show how the NHS can significantly reduce its carbon footprint and at the same time deliver a functional, landmark building with high visual impact that is affordable and value for money.

We adopted a ‘PassivHaus’ based environmental strategy which was diligently followed throughout the design development and procurement process to deliver a healthcare building significantly in advance of the Building Regulations. Ultimately, Bluebell Lane pioneered improvements in environmental performance through a BIM model, achieving a BREEAM Excellent rating.

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The Challenge

BREEAM Excellent was a pre-requisite for the design, anticipating the introduction of this standard for all healthcare buildings, as well as to be the most efficient building in the NHS by a considerable margin.

The Solution

The building incorporates innovative systems to minimise its carbon footprint. Renewable energy provisions include solar hot water and air source heat pumps. The facilities are designed as an ‘all-electric building’ that reduces exposure to fuel cost variations and becomes zero carbon as the grid is de-carbonised.

The Outcome

The Primary Care Trust sees the scheme as a “living, breathing example of what can be achieved,” allowing them the opportunity to lead by example both locally and across the wider NHS agenda.