28 October 2009

Interserve joint venture Landmarc Support Services and Defence Training Estate (DTE) South East have been recognised with a prestigious sustainability award. Landmarc and DTE won the Sustainability Project Award at the Ministry of Defence Sanctuary Awards for conservation at a ceremony held at Trinity House in London on 13 October 2009.

The team was recognised for the successful installation of an innovative sustainable heating solution for accommodation blocks on the DTE's Crowborough Training Camp in East Sussex, which has simultaneously improved the quality of accommodation for visiting soldiers and reduced carbon emissions and running costs by 60%.

With heating systems coming to the end of their life and a responsibility to minimise the environmental impact of their replacement, the team researched options that would not only serve the needs of Crowborough, but also set a benchmark for similar projects across the DTE.

Following a six month trial of two innovative 'green' alternatives, a Ground Source Heat Pump solution was selected. The system uses pipes buried underground to extract heat from the soil, which is then concentrated and transferred by the heat pump to the central heating, or hot water tank within the building. Because the heat pumps use solar energy the level of carbon released into the atmosphere is greatly reduced.

The Ministry of Defence Sanctuary Awards recognise group and individual projects undertaken across the Defence Estate involving wildlife, archaeology, environmental improvement or community awareness of conservation on or within MoD land.

Stephen Utley, Project Director for Landmarc Support Services commented: "We are delighted to be recognised by this prestigious award. As a company we are constantly looking for new ways of implementing environmental best practice across the Defence Estate and this is just one of many initiatives taken to support the DTE with their overarching objectives for Sustainable Development".