Design & Access Statement : Proposed Internal Devlopment & External Plant to Data Centre Facility, 35 Imperial Way, Croydon.

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1 Design & Access Statement : Proposed Internal Devlopment & External Plant to Data Centre Facility, ARC-RP-A-002 Prepared by ARCMC Ltd July 2012: Issue A

2 Contents 1. Introduction 2. Application Proposal 3. Context 4. Design Solution 5. Summary 6. Drawing Schedule ARCMC Ltd July 2012: Issue A 2

3 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 A Data Centre is a highly serviced building type that provides for the I.T. needs of financial institutions, large corporate entities and small organisations looking to outsource their requirements in to state of the art facilities. Due to the requirement to be in operation 24/7, Data Centres have large mechanical and electrical infrastructures to provide resilience either on or off the national grid via the various available networks. 1.2 The building s existing operation involves some long term storage and archiving of electronic data with computer mainframe cabinets for both public and private sector industries. 1.3 This Design and Access Statement has been prepared in support of the planning application for additional technical hall space and associated services within the existing Data Centre building and associated external generator and cooling plant at ARCMC Ltd July 2012: Issue A 3

4 2.0 APPLICATION PROPOSAL 2.1 The development proposal comprises of the following elements: Construction of Mezzanine to provide two levels of additional technical hall space and services in unused area of existing Data Centre building. Associated generator and plant within the existing external yard area. Stacked condenser units to rear of building. 2.2 Data Centres house valuable digital information and have specific security needs to limit both vehicular and pedestrian access to the site. Site access and improved site security measures were the subject of a planning application (Ref: 12/00802/P) approved on 13 June This scheme will maintain the proposals included within this application. ARCMC Ltd July 2012: Issue A 4

5 3.0 CONTEXT Site and Surrounding Croydon Airport Industrial Estate Purley Way Playing Fields Roundshaw Open Space The site is situated at the southern end of Imperial Way within the Croydon Airport Industrial Estate; the estate contains a mixture of industrial units and a large Costco retail unit. These units are a mixture of styles with no uniformity in terms of scale or materiality The site is bordered to the south and west by Roundshaw Open Space, a number of mature trees and shrubs partially screen the site from these public spaces. ARCMC Ltd July 2012: Issue A 5

6 3.1.4 The site contains an existing industrial building comprised of three units of varying size. The building is predominantly single storey with each unit having a small mezzanine area accommodating office and welfare facilities. Other than Unit 1, which houses the existing Data Centre, the building is unoccupied An area of hard standing lies to the south of the building which can be used to service the buildings and for ad-hoc parking arrangements. A formal car park is set out to the east of the building. This is currently divided so that part of this area provides secure enclosure for a generator and fuel store Site access and enclosure was the subject of a planning application (Ref: 12/00802/P) approved on 13 June Access to the site will be via a new vehicle trap in the same location as the existing vehicular gate. Pedestrian access will be via a new pedestrian turnstile entrance into the car parking area. All access onto the site will be controlled by the security staff via intercom and CCTV provisions. The site will be enclosed by a new 3.4m high wire mesh fence. ARCMC Ltd July 2012: Issue A 6

7 4.0 DESIGN SOLUTION 4.1 Use The building unit is currently partially occupied by a Data Centre, the extension of this facility into the remaining areas of this unit and the additional mezzanine level will maximise efficiency. 4.2 Layout The proposed Data Hall development is enclosed within the existing structure. To maximise space it is proposed that a new mezzanine structure is constructed within the unused area of the unit. The existing areas will continue to be in use and will not be affected by the development External plant including generators and transformers will be located in the existing yard to the south of the building. The large mechanical and electrical infrastructure is vital to provide resilience to the Data Centre should issues occur with the national grid supply. 4.3 Scale & Appearance The external plant has been designed to appear subservient to the existing building and rises no higher than eaves level The industrial nature of the plant is considered in keeping with the use and appearance of the immediate estate. ARCMC Ltd July 2012: Issue A 7

8 4.3.3 The proposed external plant serves the function of the building, as a Data Centre, rather than the building itself. In the future, if the building was to revert back to warehouse use, this plant would be removed from the site Alterations to the existing building will be kept to a minimum but all necessary changes to the appearance, such as the blocking of openings, will utilise the same materials as presently used. 4.4 Noise Although a number of generators and associated plant is proposed to serve the enlarged Data Hall this is provided for emergency purposes only. The generators only become operational should the primary energy source fail or throughout periods of testing. As these generators are standby rated they normally don t fall into a noise restriction for planning as it is an unusual event for them to operate constantly. ARCMC Ltd July 2012: Issue A 8

9 5.0 ACCESS 5.1 Vehicular & Transport Site access and enclosure was the subject of a planning application (Ref: 12/00802/P) approved on 13 th June Access to the site will be via a new vehicle trap in the same location as the existing vehicular gate off of the public highway. Pedestrian access will be via a new pedestrian turnstile entrance into the car parking area Parking levels within the designated car park will be maintained at the existing level. Not all staff would be expected to drive since Pulsant has a policy of encouraging security and nontechnical staff to travel by other means i.e. motorcycle travel, cycle travel or by the use of public transport. This is done minimize the number of parking permits issued for the site for security clearance reasons. A bus link to Croydon town Centre and East Croydon railway station is available from a stop approximately 400m from the site The staffing requirements for a Data Centre are very low in comparison with the total floor area. Pulsant Limited who own and run the facility and have considerable experience in the field, have confirmed that the increase in technical floor area will not see an increase in the staffing levels to the site. ARCMC Ltd July 2012: Issue A 9

10 5.1.4 Deliveries from goods vehicles will be infrequent. However, goods vehicle access for unloading will be required from time to time - adequate truck access and maneuvering space has been provided as indicated on the enclosed plans. No trucks except transit vans service the existing Data Centre In the rare event that significant numbers of additional staff are required at the site (e.g. in the event of a large scale systems failure requiring recovery) Pulsant will bring in additional staff from its other operations via minibus or coach. In events such as these parking will be possible within the yard area adjacent to the plant. 5.2 Inclusive Access There is currently no lift access within the building, although some level access is possible to a number of the technical areas on the ground floor of the Data Centre no access is currently possible to the office areas at mezzanine level The scope of these current proposals and the numerous changes in level associated with the existing structure mean that the inclusion of a passenger lift is not possible at this time. Future proposals for the remodeling of the existing Data Hall area will address this issue. ARCMC Ltd July 2012: Issue A 10

11 6.0 SUMMARY 6.1 The works proposed as part of this application are the addition of a mezzanine to part of the existing industrial unit and associated external plant within the yard. 6.2 Alterations to the Data Hall are confined to the interior of the existing building. 6.3 External plant is subservient in appearance to the existing building and would be removable if the buildings use as a Data Centre came to an end. 6.4 The generators only become operational should the primary energy source fail or throughout periods of testing. 6.5 There are no near-by residential properties that would be affected by the proposals. ARCMC Ltd July 2012: Issue A 11

12 7.0 Drawing Schedule A0.200 Existing Site Location Plan A1 A0.220 Existing Ground Floor Plan A1 A0.221 Existing Mezzanine Level Plan A1 A0.222 Proposed Ground Floor Plan A1 A0.223 Proposed Mezzanine Level Plan A1 A0.224 Existing Elevations A1 A0.225 Proposed Elevations A1 A0.226 Existing Sections A1 A0.227 Proposed Sections A1 ARCMC Ltd July 2012: Issue A 12