The site has been designed in consultation with the Environment Agency, Natural England and Southampton City Council. Why? Because sustainability is crucial to the development’s long term viability. It’s also an issue Crest Nicholson feels strongly about. To that end, Centenary Quay will enhance the ecology of the inter-tidal flats of the River Itchen. It will celebrate local biodiversity by creating new heath land and shingle beach terraces on the foreshore (characteristic of this area) and vertical river walls with planting. All river views will be protected and enhanced.
Across the new buildings, around 15,000 sq m of green eco roofs will help preserve flora and fauna. The new public and private green spaces will be irrigated by rainwater through an ecologically sustainable urban drainage system. Surplus water will also be used to irrigate the new river terraces being created on the foreshore.
Two new combined heat and power plants will provide energy. All new dwellings in phase 1 of the scheme will be designed to meet the Code for Sustainable Homes (CFSH) level 3 and future phases will aspire to meet at least CFSH level 4.