AHDB's green HQ gets the nod

Warwick District Council has given approval to the single storey building which will have a living green roof, solar panels and be built from sustainable materials.

The building, which will cost ‘less than £10 million’ to construct and house the AHDB’s 250 staff, will be 64 per cent more energy efficient than a conventional office.

Since the AHDB became operational in 2008, the staff have been housed in temporary offices scattered across Stoneleigh Park but construction on the new building is due to start in the spring and their new offices should be ready a year later.  

John Bridge, AHDB chairman, said: “This is excellent news. We need open plan offices to help us fully deliver the sharing of best practice and other operational efficiencies expected from the restructuring of the levy boards.

“Our staff are delighted at the prospect of only facing one more winter in our temporary offices, largely built as summer pavilions for the agricultural show season and not designed for year-round occupation.

“A real strength of the levy boards has always been in the expertise and quality of the staff. In my experience good working conditions helps to retain and motivate staff.

“The building design and specification reflects an organisation in tune with its commitment to the environment and the well-being of its employees.”

Advantage West Midlands has pledged £4.7million towards AHDB’s relocation and restructuring costs.

Stuart Kirkwood, director of development at Advantage West Midlands, said: “It is tremendously important – particularly at a time of economic uncertainty – that Warwickshire and the West Midlands are able to attract and retain key organisations and high quality jobs.

“This scheme is a major opportunity for the area’s highly skilled workforce and we are proud to work with AHDB to make this a reality and to create a centre of excellence for rural innovation at Stoneleigh Park.”

The AHDB represents six sector bodies – BPEX, DairyCo, EBLEX, HDC, HGCA and PCL – and has a £50 million annual programme of work funded by levy paying farmers.

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