Frasers Property, which owns a UK portfolio of business parks totalling some 6.5 million sq ft, achieved the Fitwel certification for Winnersh Triangle in Reading, Chineham Park in Basingstoke, and Farnborough Business Park – the latter achieving the world-first three-star rating.
Collectively, the sites make up the largest Fitwel certified area globally. Using Fitwel, the US rating system for commercial sites, Winnersh Triangle received the landmark wellbeing certification in 2021. The certification is a testament to the work the team has put in to develop Winnersh Triangle as a destination, supporting holistic health outcomes for existing and future occupiers. Located next to Winnersh Meadows, occupiers have easy access to nature walking trails, picnic areas, green spaces to relax, a basketball hoop area and the newly planted apple orchard. Connected to amenities such as the Toad Hall Children’s nursery and four cafés. Healthy food and drinks are provided at the cafés across the park. Bringing your own coffee cups and water bottles is also encouraged to reduce single-use plastics. The extensive pedestrian network includes universal accessibility throughout the business park and links in with the nearby cycle lanes and accessibility from Winnersh Triangle train station.
Fitness for all
Winnersh Triangle itself has invested heavily into creating a welcoming and healthy space for people to work and play. Newly built The Cabin, a multi-purpose sports studio and astro-turf pitch, are open to occupiers to either hire or participate in group fitness classes such as yoga and pilates or a game of football. Sustainable design was integrated into The Cabin, with a living roof, sustainably sourced timber and it is run on 100% renewable electricity. Occupiers have the option to walk along the dedicated pedestrian pathways or to use the free bikes placed around the park to cycle to the sports hub area.
Eco-credentials
Recognising the increasing impacts of climate change, Winnersh Triangle has introduced several initiatives to reduce emissions and improve air quality and biodiversity in the area. The Parks owners have committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, aligned with a Science-Based Targets certification scheme. Initiatives include installing 400kW of rooftop solar PV, which is equivalent to the CO2 absorption of 4,146 fully grown trees per year, procuring 100% renewable electricity and installing electric vehicle chargers to promote low emissions transport. A strong biodiversity improvement programme is also in place, featuring four new beehives installations, 7000 new bulbs planted, five bug hotels and hedgehog boxes and wildflowers gardens planted throughout the park in the last 12 months.
Occupiers are spoilt for choice, with over 600,000 square feet of the buildings on the park are certified with BREEAM, a UK leading green building certification. The certification encompasses a stringent list of specific items which aim to improve building performance, that the building must meet to be certified, covering themes such as energy, water, waste, pollution, transport, and ecology. These buildings have a clear plan of action to holistically improve the building from a sustainability perspective. Occupiers are kept updated with our sustainability initiatives through meetings, newsletters and speaking with our friendly on-site team.
Winnersh Triangle continues to improve its wellness, sustainability and amenity offering, with a cycle hub and new landscaping planned for the park, further adding to its credentials as a destination for Thames Valley companies to set up home.
To find out more visit www.winnershtriangle.co.uk
