Gazeley's Park achieves first ever BREEAM Outstanding

Gazeley's 35,500 m² G.Park Blue Planet in Chatterley Valley, Staffordshire is the first ever building to achieve a BREEAM Outstanding rating by scoring exemplary credits in four areas of BREEAM and achieving an exceptional standard of sustainability as a carbon positive development. In a statement on Tuesday, Gazeley said the centre is projected to save up to £300,000 (EUR 326,000) per year in reduced running costs as a result of the environmental features incorporated into its design - providing further evidence that achieving a high BREEAM rating improves return on investment.

Paul Gibbon, Director of Sustainability at BRE Global said: 'What is more the development shows that achieving a high BREEAM standard means lower running costs.'

The new BREEAM Outstanding rating was introduced in August 2008 to recognise a new standard of sustainability for exemplary developments. A score of 85% must be obtained to achieve Outstanding, compared to 70% for an Excellent rating. There are also higher minimum standards under Outstanding - for example 10 out of the 15 available credits for reducing CO2 emissions must be achieved, compared to the six required for an Excellent rating.