North Yorkshire construction company Houseman and Falshaw has completed the construction of the new £5.1m Regional Agricultural Centre at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate.

 The Centre, which includes a café, regional food shop and offices, has been built to minimise both environmental and visual impact with a full range of sustainable features, including a ground heat recovery system, timber frame, solar thermal panels, sheep’s wool insulation and rainwater harvesting. Drystone walling and a sedum roof help it blend into its surroundings and emphasise its strong links to agriculture.

 The Yorkshire Agricultural Society is behind what is the first Regional Agriculture Centre in the country and the project was backed by regional development agency Yorkshire Forward. Deputy chief executive of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society Heather Parry said: “This new building is a major landmark in the Society’s 170 year history and we are delighted that it has showcased so many sustainable features and so many local organisations – the building is a testament to the ingenuity and creativity of Yorkshire people.  To have a build this complicated coming in on time and on budget demonstrates how well Houseman and Falshaw have managed the project.”

 Work on the former railway siding site included the excavation and recycling of 5,000 tonnes of material of which 2,000 tonnes was crushed on site and re-used as hardcore. The timber frame used 75 tonnes of wood, equivalent to around 100 trees, and the blended British wool insulation used approximately 1,500 fleeces.

 Around 1,000m of drainage incorporated grey water recycling, with sensor taps fitted throughout the building to reduce water wastage.

 Internal fittings were also part of the sustainable approach designed by architects P+HS of Leeds and Stokesley, with the office carpets made from Herdwick fleece, the toilet doors and vanity units made from recycled plastic bottles and sensor lighting fitted wherever possible.

 Houseman and Falshaw managing director Stuart Falshaw said: “This has been an innovative project and one in which we are proud to have been involved.

“Integrating more than 20 major sustainable features into one building of this size has had its fair share of challenges from design and engineering to compatibility. However the team, including the client, architect, specialist consultants and our site construction staff have delivered this project within budget and in time for the launch, and the quality and detail speaks for itself.  This has been a tremendously exciting development and is testament to all who have been involved in the Yorkshire Agricultural Society’s vision of the future.”

 Construction began in June last year and the start of work was marked when the Queen unveiled a plaque during her visit to the 150^th Great Yorkshire Show.