HMP New Hall, Wakefield

Wates Smartspace appointed Build Energy, working within their supply chain, to support delivery of the new Video Conferencing Centre (VCC) at HMP New Hall. Replacing an outdated modular facility, the VCC provides four secure video conferencing suites, a parole hearing room, family visitation areas, and accessible facilities. Wates Smartspace built it offsite as modules, cutting roughly 18 weeks from the programme.

HMP New Hall is a closed-category female prison in Flockton, Wakefield. The Ministry of Justice appointed Wates Smartspace to deliver the new VCC facility there, allowing prisoners to attend court hearings by video link. That significantly reduces the need to transport prisoners physically to court, which brings logistical, security, and welfare benefits.

This was Wates Smartspace’s first modular VCC build. Seven bespoke modules were constructed offsite, then transported to site and assembled while demolition and groundworks ran in parallel. However, working inside a live, operational prison added real complexity. Restricted access, security protocols, and the need to avoid disrupting prison operations all demanded careful planning throughout.

The building targets BREEAM Outstanding certification, the highest rating the scheme awards. This reflects the Ministry of Justice’s commitment to sustainable, high-performing public sector infrastructure.

Build Energy provides multi-disciplinary technical consultancy across all RIBA stages, with a scope spanning energy, sustainability, building physics, air permeability, and commissioning. We became involved at RIBA Stage 3 and continue through to post-construction certification and post-occupancy evaluation.

BREEAM Consultancy & Accredited Professional Support

We have provided BREEAM consultancy and Accredited Professional (AP) support from RIBA Stage 3 through to post construction. The target is an Outstanding rating. That covers design-stage credit strategy, third-party AP site credits, and management of the post-construction submission. AP involvement from Stage 3 is a prerequisite for certain Outstanding-level credits.

Life Cycle Assessment & Life Cycle Costing

We undertook a Mat 01 Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) under BREEAM NC 2018, alongside Life Cycle Costing (LCC). The LCC supports long-term value assessment of the design and material choices. Together, the two give a comprehensive view of the building’s whole-life environmental and financial performance.

Daylighting & Thermal Comfort Analysis

We have also carried out Hea 01 daylighting assessments across the building, alongside Hea 04 thermal comfort analysis. Together they ensure the internal environment meets both BREEAM requirements and the functional needs of its users. In a secure video conferencing environment, occupant comfort directly affects how well the facility works.

Air Permeability Testing & Consultancy

We provided air tightness consultancy and testing at design stage, including desktop drawing reviews and on-site advisory visits. On completion we carry out commercial air pressure testing to verify the building’s airtightness. Working through the detail early significantly reduces the risk of a poor result at the post-construction test.

Indoor Air Quality Testing

We carried out Hea 02 Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) testing on completion to verify that the internal environment meets the required standards. This matters particularly here, because the VCC serves vulnerable occupants and needs a safe, comfortable internal environment.

Thermographic Survey

We undertake a Man 04 thermographic survey to identify thermal bridging and envelope defects, supporting both BREEAM credit compliance and long-term building performance. In a modular building, the junction detailing between modules is a particular focus for thermal imaging.

Commissioning Testing & Reporting

We deliver Hea 05 and Pol 05 commissioning testing and reporting at RIBA Stage 6. This confirms that building systems are correctly installed, commissioned, and performing as designed ahead of handover. It is a mandatory element of the post-construction BREEAM submission.

HMP New Hall is one of several active Ministry of Justice projects where Build Energy provides technical consultancy. Other current MOJ projects include HMP Norwich, another Wates Smartspace VCC scheme from the same nationwide programme. We are also working on HMP Wayland, Norfolk, a new 247-place houseblock expansion delivered by Wates Construction targeting BREEAM Excellent.

These are the schemes we can name publicly – Build Energy works on a large number of Ministry of Justice and wider government schemes across the UK but many are covered by confidentiality or security restrictions.

Our experience across multiple live prison schemes means we understand what delivery in custodial environments actually involves. Restricted access, security inductions, phased working around prison operations, and close collaboration with the client’s project team are all familiar ground.

To meet MOJ supply chain requirements, Build Energy holds Cyber Essentials certification. We maintain this on an ongoing basis to remain a trusted, audit-ready partner on sensitive public sector schemes.

Find out more about our work across the justice estate on our Justice and MOJ framework practice page.

What BREEAM rating is targeted at HMP New Hall?

The project targets BREEAM Outstanding , the highest rating under the BREEAM New Construction scheme. Build Energy provides full BREEAM consultancy and AP support across all RIBA stages, from initial design assessment through to post-construction certification. Outstanding is a demanding target, and achieving it in a live custodial environment is harder still. It needs consultants who understand both the technical requirements and the practical constraints of a secure site.

Does Build Energy work on Ministry of Justice projects?

Yes. Build Energy works on a large number of Ministry of Justice and wider government schemes across the UK, within the supply chains of tier 1 contractors delivering projects across the justice estate. Many cannot be named for confidentiality or security reasons. We understand the logistical and compliance demands of delivering in live custodial environments – those range from security protocols and restricted access to working without disrupting ongoing prison operations.

Is Cyber Essentials certification required to work on MOJ framework projects?

Many MOJ framework contractors require supply chain partners to hold Cyber Essentials certification, the UK government’s baseline standard for cyber security. Build Energy maintains certification to ensure we continue to meet our clients’ requirements on secure public sector schemes.

What is a BREEAM Accredited Professional and why does it matter?

A BREEAM Accredited Professional (AP) is an independently certified consultant. The AP works alongside the project team from the earliest stages of design, typically RIBA Stage 2 or 3 and their role is to build sustainability and BREEAM credit strategy into the design from the outset. This is far more effective than retrofitting measures later. AP involvement at RIBA Stage 3 is a prerequisite for certain credits, and is strongly associated with projects that achieve higher ratings, including Outstanding.

Can Build Energy support both design-stage and post-construction BREEAM assessments?

Yes. Build Energy provides continuity across the full project lifecycle, with the same team covering RIBA Stage 3 design assessment through to post-construction certification. That joined-up approach avoids the gaps that appear when different consultants handle different stages. It also gives the project team a single point of contact for all BREEAM matters.

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