Calor LPG Chosen for Hatton Manor

Calor LPG has been specified for Hatton Manor, the Grade II listed, former Victorian water pumping station in Staffordshire which is currently undergoing a multi-million pound conversion into luxury housing. With a capacity of 4,000 litres, the Calor LPG tanks have been installed underground and will provide gas for the heating, hot water, fires and cooking appliances of all properties on the development.

The ambitious redevelopment at Hatton Manor is being carried out by Cornerstone Developments JB Ltd and is due for completion in 2006. The development will create 14 duplex apartments including a spacious and unique penthouse along with three, three bedroom subterranean houses and a number of individually styled detached properties offering modern conveniences in a rural location.

Just outside the village of Hatton in Staffordshire, the disused ornate pump house stands adjacent to its successor – a modern, compact facility capable of pumping 575,000 gallons of water every hour. With this working water station adjacent to the development, Cornerstone Developments JB Ltd’s Managing Director, Angelo Burrati, was conscious that he needed to choose an environmentally friendly fuel which would not jeopardise the source or supply of water.

Angelo Burrati said: “As a remote rural development, Hatton Manor was not connected to the mains gas network so we had to consider non-mains gas fuels. We chose Calor LPG for a number of reasons. The first was obviously environmental – oil leaks can become a serious and expensive issue for domestic and commercial property owners. Unlike oil, any LPG spillage simply vaporises, leaving no contamination.

When an oil spillage occurs, the council can declare the ground contaminated under the Environmental Protection Act. In this situation, the homeowner could pay up to £5,000 in fines, along with any associated clear up costs, and commercial businesses can face unlimited fines. The development’s position adjacent to the water pumping station meant that LPG was the ideal choice due to the low risk of contamination to the water supply.

Angelo continued; “In addition to it being very environmentally friendly, for me, I think one of the best things about having Calor LPG is the underground installation of the tanks. Hatton Manor is set against the backdrop of the beautiful Staffordshire countryside and we wanted to preserve that view for those buying a property at the development. The Calor LPG tanks are buried at the perimeter of the development and just the green lids are visible. Once the landscaping of the common area is completed, the residents will not even notice them. Another benefit is the ‘real flame’ LPG provides for cookers and fires, which offers a great selling point for luxury housing.

The four tanks installed at the site will supply fuel for each house and apartment at Hatton Manor – this metered estate approach allows Calor LPG to be supplied to individual properties from a single storage location. A meter is installed at every property to measure the gas used, and is charged accordingly. The underground tanks themselves are fitted with Calor’s ‘The Think Tank^®’ telemetry system too, which ensures that when the tanks need to be refilled, a new supply of LPG is automatically delivered.”

The Calor telemetry system works by sending a signal via wireless transmitter to a dialler unit connected to a phone line which automatically dials up Calor’s central computer, informing it of the gas level. When a top-up is required, the local Calor depot is alerted and Calor LPG is delivered.

Calor has introduced a technical fact file designed for rural new build housing developers, architects and specifiers, which contains essential information on Calor LPG, its benefits and relevant case studies.

A copy of the fact file is available by calling 0800 626 626 or visiting calor.co.uk