NTW Solutions has delivered Wearmouth View, a major new development at Monkwearmouth Hospital for Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW). The building has been designed with sustainability in mind with a range of features to help deliver our Green Plan.
The location of the building itself plays a role as it is easily accessible by public transport, being on a bus route and walking distance from a Metro station. In addition, new cycle shelters have been provided, as have very high quality showers for staff to access. For those who do need to drive, electric vehicle chargers have been installed, and in a first for our estate, a dedicated electric charger has been provided in an accessible parking bay.
The conception and design of the building included sustainability from the start with the architects themselves operating to an ISO 14001 environmental management system. Construction sought to minimise waste wherever possible and the rubble created from demolition of the building was used to backfill the basement.
The new building has been set further back from the main road and what was previously a car park is now a new public square which contributes to our aim of encouraging use of green spaces. The planting was selected to include native species and to require as little maintenance as possible such as no watering being required.
The building itself is designed to use solar gain for heating and natural ventilation for cooling. Large windows allow for natural lighting and where it is needed lighting is provided by high efficiency LED lights. Heating is provided by air source heat pumps and they join other heat pumps which have been installed on the site over recent years. They are efficient and remove on site emissions over the provision of a traditional boiler.
Flooding and drainage was considered as part of the design and construction. All materials used for pavements and the car park allow for water to filter through them rather than running off the surfaces and causing problems. Rainwater is collected in an innovative system built into the ground under the car park which essentially acts as a tank to keep the water on site so that it doesn’t overwhelm the local drainage system at times of heavy rainfall.
The building has been well received by staff and has transformed the welcome we offer the public with a bright new reception and café and it is also helping us on our journey to net zero. Our teams will continue to work to minimise energy use and people using the building can help minimise our environmental impact by reporting any overheating and using the recycling facilities.

