Helping the Environment

Dogs Trust treats the issue of sustainability very seriously. Environmentally friendly does not mean expensive; well designed buildings obviate the need for expensive machinery to control temperature and reduce our energy costs. That means both capital expenditure and operational expenditure will be reduced.

The centre will set new standards in eco construction techniques and will be one of the most sustainable buildings in the UK and the most sustainable animal centre in the world. 

The hope is the building will be one of the first in the UK to achieve an ‘outstanding’ rating in the construction industry’s BREEAM standard.

The green features included in the build are:

  •  Passivhaus construction standards are being adopted for the rehoming block. PassivHaus buildings are the worlds leading standard in energy efficient construction and achieve exceptionally low running costs.
  • Ground source heat coupling for the rehoming block – will provide cool air in the summer and warm air in the winter.
  • Photovoltaic panels on the roof of the training barn and sponsor dog flat will generate enough energy for the building to function making it completely carbon neutral.
  • Grass roof on the rehoming block, seeded with wild grass and flowers, will provide excellent thermal insulation as well as encouraging wildlife.
  • A biomass boiler will provide heat the water for the underfloor heating as well as providing all the hot water the centre needs. The fuel crops (Willow) used for the boiler will be grown locally and the oxygen produced while they grow will offset the carbon dioxide produced when the pellets are burnt.
  • Rainwater harvesting and water recycling will produce all the water needed to keep the kennels clean.
  • The new intake building will be earth mounded and will be so will insulated that it should need such a minimal amount of heating that we are aiming or just 4 weeks of the year. The earth dug out of the foundations for the other buildings will be used for the earth mound.
  • All kennels will be solar shaded to ensure they do not overheat in the summer.