Two projects, one green roof. That’s the aim of a ground-breaking initiative to revamp a YMCA with a living roof removed from a development 1km away.

Saxon Court in Milton Keynes has undergone a temporary transformation into a ‘live lab’, showcasing multiple green, blue and biosolar roof applications together with a roof top vegetable growing project, all installed while planning permission is gained to redevelop the site.

Green infrastructure and living roof specialist Bridgman & Bridgman is spearheading the venture - entitled The Green Roof Project - with support from Milton Keynes Council, aiming to demonstrate the many benefits of green roofs in towns and cities for biodiversity, carbon capture and fruit/vegetable production.

An integral part of the plan is to also train young people from YMCA MK to install the living roof and support them in gaining the necessary expertise and certification in the installation and maintenance of green roofs.

When the Saxon Court scheme is concluded, the newly skilled operatives will repurpose materials from its roof top to top off the town’s new YMCA building.

Award-winning green roof manufacturer Wallbarn, along with other GRO members, is supporting the project by supplying its modular M-Tray green roof system, which suits the scheme perfectly due to its pre-fabricated, easy to install - and remove - nature, as Director Julian Thurbin explained:

“If there was a project perfect for M-Tray it would be Saxon Court/YMCA MK simply because of the system’s pre-fabricated, modular characteristics. All elements of a traditional green roof (drainage, root barrier, substrate and sedum or wildflower plants) are contained within its polypropylene trays. The plants are fully established and the system quick to install, delivering an instant green roof with little fuss.

“It’s also as quick and easy to take up as to put down, which for our customers gives peace of mind should roof decks require attention. However, for this project it makes the roof transfer between Saxon Court and YMCA MK really straightforward - just lift the trays and transport them the 1km or so between buildings.

“We do believe this is a first for M-Tray and are delighted to be involved with the project. We have enormous respect for Chris Bridgman (of Bridgman and Bridgman) and have admired the work he has done in training the next generation of landscaping and green roof professionals and in safety and standards in the green roof sector.

“He is a standard bearer for the industry. It is also a marvellous opportunity to showcase the different types of green roof design and systems and is available for us to show to architects, designers, local authorities and other developers/clients to demonstrate the scope of green roofs to help them in selecting the best type of green roof for their schemes. It is doing fantastic work in raising awareness of the benefits of green roofs, their suitability for retrofit and - really importantly - training young people to be installers of the future,” added Julian.

Chris Bridgman said, as well as teaching skills and creating job opportunities, the project aimed to encourage local authorities, schools, property owners, facility and building managers and homeowners to consider greening rooftops to help the fight against global warming and the rapid decline of biodiversity.

He said: “We really appreciate the support of Wallbarn in creating this opportunity to demonstrate the beneficial role of urban green infrastructure in the fight against climate change and bring new people into the industry. The M-Tray system is ideal for retrofitting rooftops such as Saxon Court. This is a very clean and affordable method of retrofitting green infrastructure.”

The Green Roof Project supports work taking place in response to the Milton Keynes Green Roof Report 2019, which identified the green roof retrofit potential in central Milton Keynes and aligns with the council’s Sustainability Strategy. Milton Keynes aims to be carbon neutral by 2030 and carbon negative by 2050.