Dwp Agrees Major Deal for New Regional Hub

Urban regenerator Muse Developments and partner Blackpool Council have agreed a deal with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to take the 215,000 sq ft office building at the £350m Talbot Gateway scheme. The highly sustainable building will become its latest regional hub.The BREEAM ‘Excellent’ building – designed by architects’ practice Make – has been designed to be ultra-low energy, promoting sustainable development and wellbeing.An inclusive approach to sustainability was taken to make sure the building will be as energy-efficient as possible and have high levels of insulation.It will also have air source heat pumps to provide low-carbon heating and cooling. Demand driven ventilation will improve indoor air quality while allowing energy savings during periods of reduced occupancy.During the scheme’s inception, partners completed early-stage whole life and upfront embodied carbon assessments, to eliminate inefficiencies where possible and reduce the building’s whole carbon footprint. Avison Young’s team in Manchester acted as planning agent for the proposed new development, and also co-ordinated and delivered the Environmental Impact Assessment.Development is already progressing well on phase two of Talbot Gateway, with construction of a new 144-bedroom Holiday Inn hotel which is due for completion in 2022 and will bring over 50 new full-time jobs to the town. The scheme also includes a new tram terminus on Talbot Road.Talbot Gateway is currently being brought forward by Muse in partnership with Blackpool Council, which will see the creation of a 1.1 million sq ft central business district and civic quarter. The team has also delivered the 125,000 sq ft Number One Bickerstaffe Square, a Sainsburys supermarket and a refurbished 650-space multi-storey car park, alongside extensive public space.