Our Commitment to The Environment

Neilcott is committed to minimising the impact of our activities on the environment in order to achieve our target of Net Zero Carbon by 2030. In-line with the government’s Procurement Policy Note 06/21, our Carbon Reduction Plan details our baseline activities and our approach to reducing carbon emissions.
You can read our plan here.

We support our public and private sector clients in their ‘Building Back Greener’ ambitions, carefully balancing capital, revenue and environmental costs to provide best whole-life value through energy and carbon efficient buildings. We have robust systems and processes in place to sustainably manage construction works, following an Environmental Management System accredited to ISO14001. We minimise waste and carbon through circular economy design principles, efficient local procurement of supply chain labour and materials, and mandate responsible working practices including waste avoidance, reuse and recycling.

Our ISO14001 accredited Environmental Management system now includes using BRE SmartWaste to allow us to simply and accurately capture data, monitor and report our environmental impacts in one place. This allow us to easily compare project and company performance with industry benchmarks, highlight areas for improvement, time/money savings and set targets to reduce the environmental impacts of our construction projects. We produce comprehensive reports on carbon impacts from energy use, embodied carbon of materials, transport impacts, waste management and water use against agreed KPIs – allowing us to quickly and easily evidence BREEAM credits and compliance with client sustainability targets.

At Sands End Community/Arts Centre £2.5m, LB Hammersmith & Fulham required a holistic, sustainable building in terms of construction and future revenue generation. Over 35% of the building material is composed of recycled matter; constructed using CLT which has been responsibly-sourced with an inherently low embodied energy and an innovative new brick made from waste products. By turning to innovative brick design company ‘StoneCycling’, the project up-cycles over 28 tonnes of potential construction landfill material to create the bespoke ‘Nougat’ WasteBasedBricks® created specifically for Sands End using minimum 60% waste materials.

In-line with circular economy principles, the design team looked forward beyond the building’s useful life to consider the reclaim of materials, choosing bolts over glue as a structural fixing to ensure some materials can be reclaimed. Our early involvement in the project and subcontractor engagement enabled savings of £250k to be achieved through a detailed, collaborative value management process by way of alternative windows, insulation, ironmongery, light fittings and CLT detailing. Together we introduced improved buildability, efficiency and value into the design through robust interrogation of the details from the outset. We encouraged use of standardised materials & sizes to avoid unnecessary cutting & wastage on site i.e. building to standard stock sizes for plasterboard & timber, working to masonry coursing dimensions and simplifying window configurations for ease of future maintenance.

The scheme’s environmental credentials has resulted in it winning many awards including RIBA London Building of the Year Award 2022 – now shortlisted for the Stirling Prize!

Our £25m Central Somers Town regeneration project for LB Camden carefully balanced sustainability and cost ambitions. Two separate plots, Edith Neville School and a community hub with affordable housing, achieved BREEAM Excellent ratings and included connection into the Kings Cross Decentralised Energy Network to provide energy-efficient heat and hot water.

Prior to appointment, Neilcott successfully led a detailed value management exercise incorporating input and expertise from key subcontractors to secure a 10% cost-saving. This was achieved by applying a holistic approach, tabling innovative cost-effective solutions including replacing the proposed concrete frame with a more sustainable CLT solution – saving the feature design at Edith Neville Primary School. Changing from concrete frame to cross laminated timber eliminated 220 vehicle movements through central London, reduced site noise, was 100% sustainable and through its embedded carbon supported the project’s Part L strategy.

News and Views

Skills for a sustainable skyline taskforce

“We have been overwhelmingly impressed with Neilcott’s engagement with our framework… Their support and professionalism at many levels has been commendable.”

Liam Keaveney
Head of Capital Commissioning Service (LB Newham)

"Such a quick turn around for a project this size is due to the collaboration between subcontractors and Neilcott Construction Limited site management, who made this an enjoyable project."

Simon Petroe
CPC Interiors

"The building brings together state of the art design and materials, and has been celebrated in several architectural and respected trade publications for which we would like to offer a massive thank you."

Narzyny Khan
Principal of New City College (Epping Wellness Centre)

"I would like to say thank you to the Neilcott team for the responsive, flexible approach adopted to deliver this difficult piece of work which was key to the progress of the main development."

Darren Baker
Project Manager, Peninsula Projects (Frimley Park Hospital)

"Everyone on the team worked hard to get the best possible outcome in design and on site for the client on time, cost and quality. The aftercare team then carried on this theme on by clearing the low number of defects swiftly and effectively"

Katherine Sykes
Project Manager, 3BM

"Since having taken occupation, the responses have been nothing but praise for how the spaces have been transformed into cutting-edge learning environments."

Guido de Koning
Associate Project Manager, City University of London (Bayes Business School)

Neilcott have delivered..."high-quality, energy efficient carbon zero homes, using technologies & design that provide a reduction in energy usage which will positively contribute to the Council’s commitment to addressing the climate emergency."

Rose Brepotra
Senior Housing Development & Supply Officer, LB Hounslow (Framton Road)

"Neilcott have an ingrained cooperative approach to design and construction and I am happy
to recommend them for any capital projects."

Alessandra Foderaro
Senior Project Manager, Girls' Day School Trust

"Their approach to partnership working was exemplary. They were transparent in their approach to pricing and cost management, and were committed to identifying and delivering cost reductions to specific work packages."

Dr Mike Owfram
Chair, Building for the Future Project (St John's Church)

“Neilcott were engaged and receptive to the challenges ahead right from their introduction to the project. This approach to collaborative working was maintained throughout the project duration...exceeding the expectations of the client and design team.”

Stephen Davies
Architect, 31/44 Architects (Redchurch Street)