The first signs of the greenest business park in the Watford area going even greener, in the new sense of the word, will be seen on the greens of Observer Newspapers Charity Golf Day at West Herts Golf Club on Friday, May 16.
Twelve of the greens will be marked by flags with the name Croxley GREEN Business Park, the new name for the already impressively green business park on the the outskirts of Watford.
Greenhills, the new owners of the 75 acre site, changed the name this week and decided to show the world in a community spirited way by sponsoring no fewer than 12 holes at the popular annual golf day which this year is in support of Harefield Hospital.
Already a rolling programme of "greening" the 20-year-old business park is well underway and there is an eye-catching sign of the change as you enter the management centre in the middle of the park.
There, by the door, is a brand new bicycle with Croxley.GREEN.co.uk emblazoned in the crossbar - one of a "fleet" of 20.
Marcus Richardson, one of four directors of Greenhills Real Estate Limited, who acquired the site from Standard Life for £150 million in August, is a "hands-on" enthusiast, who is taking a close, personal interest in the project.
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"We see this as our flagship site," he said, describing ways in which Greenhills plan to "re-cycle and re-brand" the business park to meet the demands of the future.
The company was formed two years ago with the backing of two blue-chip pension funds, the Dutch Sichting Pensioenfonda ABP and the Danish Arbejdsmakedets Tillaegspension (ATP) and owns 36 sites (including individual buildings in London).
The Croxley Green site is by far the largest and earmarked for a state-of-the-art business site in terms of both energy efficiency and general working environment.
Talk about reducing carbon footprints. This sounds like a giant step in the right direction with rainwater being collected off the roofs and used for flushing toilets and "green" energy (wind and water) combined with "smart" metering saving both planet and pocket.
There will be recycling schemes - but no unsightly effects.
One of the appeals of the Croxley Business Park site was the high quality of both buildings and landscaping and one of the first things to change was the reduction in the number of signs.
"There were 200 signs on the estate," said Marcus, who has reduced the need by replacing the quaint system of names for buildings by a more contemporary numbering system.
Not that his firm's vision for Croxley Green Business Park is one of soulless efficiency. Quite the opposite.
As well as expanding the existing cafe and employing an events organiser, there are plans to provide a swimming pool, a gym, an all-weather sports pitch as well as a creche.
"We want to build more of a community by adding to the amenities," said Marcus, who also intends to break down the park's present state of isolation by connecting more with the outside community.
"We could sponsor schools to come and do things like a butterfly count," said the "green" man, who delights in the ponds, the river and the general natural aspects of the park.
A big publicity push is planned for July by which time the first of the "recycled" buildings will be ready to let, following a £3.6 million refurbishment.
Half the building has already been let, to an existing occupant, who needed to move an expanding business.
Having looked elsewhere, the firm returned to Croxley Green and, despite an increase in rent, decided this was the most attractive option.
Which is reassuring for Greenhills' vision of "creating the City of London in Croxley" and for Marcus's sense of community.
On a more personal level, he is looking forward to a chance to connect with the Watford area business community in the friendly atmosphere of Observer Newspapers Charity Golf Day where he and his firm will be fielding a team of four as well as a dozen flags.
For information about Observer Newspapers Charity Golf Day, please email grelle.moathouse@virgin.net
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