Green roof at The Events Venue
Published: 01 June, 2011
The Events Venue, the unique 5,200 sq m events and exhibition space due to open at Bluewater later this year, has created one of the largest green roofs in the UK, covering an area of over 3 sq km.
The green roof has been designed within a sustainable framework to deliver a number of significant benefits to the local environment. Special planting techniques have been used to create a ‘bio-diverse’ habitat featuring specially sourced seeds that will attract at least 13 different species of wildlife, including rare bees.
In addition, stones and native timber logs have been introduced due to their excellent thermal retention properties and to create shelter and a natural hibernation environment for insects, which in turn will attract birdlife.
The green roof will take between three to five years to become established and change constantly from season to season.
Urban ecologist and the green roof’s consultant, Dusty Gedge said: “This project is leading the way in green roof technology simply by the amount of planning and thought that has gone into this as part of the development. I will be looking forward to watching the roof grow and discovering new wildlife species; it is a great asset for The Events Venue and one that is very close to my heart.”
Duncan Young, sustainability manager at Lend Lease, added: “The bio-diverse roof demonstrates our long term commitment to the environment and adds to the sustainable features already integrated in the development and management of The Events Venue at Bluewater. We will continue to monitor the green roof as it develops naturally over time, whilst attracting a brand new habitat to the area.”
Blackdown - specialists in green roofs with over 12 years’ experience – were also involved in the project along with Gedge.
