Latest news with #VitalEnergi
Glasgow Times
30-06-2025
- Health
- Glasgow Times
New calming garden space for dementia patients at Udston
The project at Udston Hospital's Brandon Ward was a collaboration between NHS Lanarkshire and energy transformation organisation, Vital Energi. This initiative aligns with the health board's commitment to reducing its carbon footprint. The garden area (Image: Supplied) The funding for the garden was applied by the sustainability team and included an element of community investment along with low-carbon solutions. The garden area has been designed to provide a peaceful retreat for patients, their families, and staff. Read more: Man charged after 'wilful fire raising' and 'vandalism' at cemetery Care worker sexually and physically abused youngsters for nearly a decade Stuart Ward, biodiversity manager at NHS Lanarkshire, said: "I would like to give a big thank you to Aidan Whetham, construction degree apprentice, and his team of volunteers at Vital Energi for the hard work and resources that have helped turn an unused garden space into an area especially for patients, staff, and visitors. "The transformation and positive impact it will have on patients is immeasurable." Craig Brown, head of sustainability and environmental performance at NHS Lanarkshire, said: "We applied for this funding via the Scottish Government Greening Public Sector Estates Decarbonisation Scheme and were fortunate enough to receive £2 million. "This funding was primarily used to improve the energy efficiency at Kirklands Headquarters and the West of Scotland Laundry by installing solar panels on both key sites, among other significant energy efficiency measures. "Not only does the Brandon Ward project support NHS Lanarkshire's goal to save nearly 200 tonnes of carbon emissions, but it has also been equally rewarding to contribute to something so special for patients – a peaceful, reflective space that supports wellbeing. "We hope this is the first of many energy efficiency projects as we work towards further improving the greenspace and biodiversity across our sites." Kieran Walsh, regional director at Vital Energi, said: "We are honoured to have supported the Brandon Ward at Udston Hospital by creating a new outdoor space designed with compassion and care for patients living with dementia and their families. "Our hope was to offer a place of comfort during what can be incredibly difficult times. "Thanks to the dedication of the Vital Energi Scotland team and the generosity of our volunteers and contributors, we've been able to give back to the wider community of Lanarkshire."
Daily Record
30-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
New dementia-friendly garden blooms for NHS Lanarkshire
The project is part of the health board's commitment to reducing its carbon emissions. NHS Lanarkshire worked with energy transformation organisation, Vital Energi, to enhance the garden area of Udston Hospital's Brandon Ward. This unit supports patients living with dementia, and their families, who can now benefit from this calming greenspace. The project is part of NHS Lanarkshire's commitment to reducing its carbon emissions. The health board's sustainability team successfully applied to Vital Energi for funding, where an element of community investment was included alongside low-carbon solutions. Part of this funding was used to create a dedicated garden area that's calming and meaningful for patients, their families and staff. The Vital Energi Scotland team worked enthusiastically with NHS Lanarkshire's biodiversity manager, Stuart Ward, to transform the Hamilton courtyard into a therapeutic, dementia-friendly space with new planters and a range of plants and flowers. Download the Lanarkshire Live app today Stuart said: 'I would like to give a big thank you to Aidan Whetham, construction degree apprentice, and his team of volunteers at Vital Energi for the hard work and resources that have helped turn an unused garden space into an area especially for patients, staff and visitors. The transformation and positive impact it will have on patients is immeasurable.' Craig Brown, head of sustainability and environmental performance at NHS Lanarkshire, said: 'We applied for this funding via the Scottish Government Greening Public Sector Estates Decarbonisation Scheme and were fortunate enough to receive £2 million. 'This funding was primarily used to improve the energy efficiency at Kirklands Headquarters and the West of Scotland Laundry by installing solar panels on both key sites, among other significant energy efficiency measures. 'Not only does the Brandon Ward project support NHS Lanarkshire's goal to save nearly 200 tonnes of carbon emissions, but it has also been equally rewarding to contribute to something so special for patients – a peaceful, reflective space that supports wellbeing. 'We hope this is the first of many energy efficiency projects as we work towards further improving the greenspace and biodiversity across our sites.' Kieran Walsh, regional director for Vital Energi, commented: 'We are honoured to have supported the Brandon Ward at Udston Hospital by creating a new outdoor space designed with compassion and care for patients living with dementia and their families. Our hope was to offer a place of comfort during what can be incredibly difficult times. 'Being part of something that has a real, tangible impact on end users in local communities is what makes this work so fulfilling. 'Thanks to the dedication of the Vital Energi Scotland team and the generosity of our volunteers and contributors, we've been able to give back to the wider community of Lanarkshire.'
The Courier
10-06-2025
- Business
- The Courier
Angus Planning Ahead: Country Park changing rooms and farm shed house
Angus Alive has lodged a plan for new Monikie Country Park changing facilities. The council leisure trust wants to site seven units in a compound beside the North Pond. Those would be used for visitors taking part in watersports activities including the recently-opened Angus Aqua Splash. The £135,000 giant inflatable opened to the public last month. Staff accommodation and storage are also proposed. The leisure trust's application states: 'The current watersports facilities operate from the existing office lodge and adjoining buildings, providing a reception for visitors to the country park as well as changing facilities. 'This location is remote from the ponds and organised water-based activity sites. 'Temporary buildings are being proposed to provide basic localised changing areas for over a 24-month lease period. 'The typical season is from March to September/October. 'The units will be locked up over winter.' Angus Alive says it will be a trial to gauge whether a more permanent facility should be developed. Planning officials have given an approval recommendation to plans for a battery energy storage scheme beside Forfar Athletic's Station Park. The Vital Energi submission will be considered by development standards committee members on Tuesday. The site sits opposite the football ground and was once home to a giant gasometer. However, it was demolished many years ago and the ground at Carseview Road has lain empty since. Suggested conditions include a requirement to start the development within three years. The applicants would also have to submit a plan for restoring the site after its 30-year lifespan. Permission has been granted for a new house on the site of a disused farm shed near the Perthshire border. Approval for the hay barn at East Keillor, near Newtyle, was previously granted in 2021. However, circumstances including the Covid-19 pandemic meant the development never progressed. Kinpurnie Estate has now received fresh approval for a four-bedroom, single-storey home. Angus Council officials issued a delegated approval for the application. 'Planning permission has previously been granted for an identical form of development at the site,' they said. 'Whilst that permission has lapsed, the physical characteristics of the site have not changed materially. 'The impacts arising from the development would be no more significant than previously assessed as being acceptable in the past.' Meanwhile, a huge children's play castle at Brechin Castle Centre is under construction beside the A90. The wooden storybook structure will feature towers, rope bridges, giant tube slides and puzzles for young adventurers. Children will be able to enjoy playing over multiple levels. Brechin Castle Centre says the £500,000 investment is part of a long-term vision to make the location a must-visit family attraction. Plans were first revealed last year and the castle is due for completion in July. There are plans to turn an old game larder in the Angus Glens into recreational accommodation. The building sits northwest of Braedownie in Glen Doll. It is thought to have been built by Forestry Commission Scotland in the 1950s. The applicant is an academic who hopes to use it as an occasional research base relating to his interests in wildlife conservation and biodiversity. It would also be used by family and friends to enjoy the Cairngorms National Park. The planning application states the residential bothy would be for personal use only and not as a self-catering accommodation. Planning officials will consider the proposal in due course. Links to the applications on the Angus Council planning portal are: Monikie Country park changing Forfar battery energy storage site Newtyle farm shed site house Brechin play castle Glen Clova bothy
The Courier
09-06-2025
- Business
- The Courier
50MW Forfar battery plant beside Station Park set for green light
Angus planning officials say a 50MW battery energy storage scheme beside Forfar's Station Park should get the go-ahead. Vital Energi is behind the project for vacant ground at Carseview Road. The land once housed a huge gasholder which towered over the home of The Loons. It was demolished and the site cleared many years ago. Since then the land has lain unused. An application for the battery energy storage scheme (BESS) was lodged with Angus Council earlier this year. The development would see the installation of 14 battery energy storage units and seven power conversion units almost three metres in height. These would be metal structures similar to shipping containers. The site would also contain a 50sq m substation building sited adjacent to the Carseview Road boundary. It would be surrounded by a five-metre high acoustic fence and nine-camera CCTV system. On Tuesday, the application will be considered by Angus Council's development standards committee. Officials have recommended the application is given conditional approval. They say the battery storage bid is an acceptable use of the vacant brownfield land. 'The site would be seen in the context of existing commercial development, including large-scale industrial buildings,' the planning report states. 'There are other horizontal man-made features in the surrounding landscape, including the infrastructure at neighbouring Station Park.' Planners believe it would be 'a modern development with a very localised visual impact'. 'This development would provide a source of power supply to help balance energy demand in the grid and would make a reasonable contribution towards reducing carbon emissions,' the report adds. 'Policy requires that this is given significant weight.' There were no objections to the application. Officials have suggested a range of conditions, including starting the development within three years. If the project is approved, it will be allowed to operate for 30 years. The applicants would also have to submit a plan for the restoration of the ground after that time. In 2017, an application for a gas-powered electricity generation plant on the site was approved. The planning permission was never progressed.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Star Refrigeration and Vital Energi join forces to champion large-scale, water source district heat pump projects at UKREiiF 2025
GLASGOW, Scotland, May 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Star Refrigeration will be taking part in the upcoming UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) in Leeds from 20th - 22nd May 2025, with a focus on large-scale renewable district heating and the central role of river-source heat pumps in the UK's decarbonisation strategy. Prof. Dave Pearson, Director of Sustainable Development at Star Refrigeration, will join a panel discussion alongside Nick Gosling, Group Sales and Strategy Director at Vital Energi, a long-standing Star customer and collaborator. During the session 'City-Wide Clean Heat: A Real Estate ESG Saviour or an Investment Pipe Dream?' which will take place on 21st May from 12:45 pm - 1:45 pm, they will explore the pivotal role that river source heat pumps and district heating networks play in achieving Net Zero goals -particularly for cities and large-scale developments. The panel will explain in detail the importance of heat networks as an alternative to gas heating, and how developers can future-proof new buildings while supporting government ambitions. With investment potential estimated between £60 billion and £80 billion by 2050, heat networks represent a major opportunity for decarbonisation through the construction of high-value, long-term assets. However, with less than 3% of UK heat currently supplied by heat networks, the pace of deployment must accelerate significantly to meet the government's 20% target by 2050. "To stay on track, the rollout of heat networks across cities and large-scale developments must at least quadruple within the next five years", said Prof. Pearson. "The expectation for large buildings to integrate clean energy is only growing, and district heating powered by clean water source heat pumps, is no longer a concept for the future. It's a proven, high-value solution that's ready to deliver today." The collaboration between Star Refrigeration and Vital Energi has already delivered some of the most innovative and technically challenging district heating projects in the UK, demonstrating the potential of public-private partnerships for city-scale decarbonisation. These include the 5.2MW twin water source heat pumps at Queens Quay in Clydebank, a 3MW installation at Castle Park in Bristol, and the ongoing £2.5m Mersey Heat project in Liverpool, where heat is being extracted from the Leeds-Liverpool Canal to serve a new 6km heat network. These projects, designed and delivered by Vital Energi with engineering and heat pump technology support from Star Refrigeration, demonstrate how government-backed, large-scale low carbon infrastructure can drive real progress in the UK's heating transition while aiding economic growth for local communities and investors. Each has received recognition from the European Heat Pump Association, marking them as exceptional in terms of scale, environmental impact, and technological soundness. Prof. Pearson said, "This event is an opportunity to show that the shift away from gas is not just possible: it's already happening. By working with partners like Vital Energi, we're proving that river source heat pump technology is ready to meet the needs of urban infrastructure at scale. "Sustainable buildings are now seen as lower risk, more resilient, and capable of commanding higher prices and better financing terms. With the market shifting, we see a clear opportunity to collaborate with developers to accelerate decarbonisation projects and help stakeholders avoid the looming 'ESG meltdown'. If we get it right, clean heat won't just reduce emissions – it will improve asset value, investor confidence and public health". UKREiiF 2025 is a must-attend real estate, property, and infrastructure event taking place in Leeds from 20–22 May at the Royal Armouries Museum and New Dock. Over 16,000 professionals from government, investment, development, and the wider built environment will gather to drive investment and regeneration across the UK's regions. Attendees of the session will also receive a complimentary "grab bag" lunch. To view and register for UKREiiF 2025, visit To learn more about Star Refrigeration's river source heat pumps for district heating, visit To learn more about Vital Energi's work on district heating networks, visit: Notes to editors Founded in 1970, Star Refrigeration is the UK's largest industrial refrigeration and heating engineering company, renowned for its innovative solutions and commitment to sustainability. The company has received widespread recognition for the development of high-profile projects including the world's first and largest 90oC natural ammonia district heat pump in Norway, England's largest high-temperature water source heat pump in Bristol City and Scotland's largest water source district heat pump in Queens Quay, West Dunbartonshire. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Star Refrigeration
