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sustainabilitynews edited by George Sell (georgesell@mac.com)


Lincolnshire development exceeds expected energy efficiency performance


Cross Street, a development of new homes in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, has had its energy efficiency levels in its first year from July 2012 measured and shown to exceeded the designed performance expectations. The homes are built to Level 5 of the Code for Sustainable Homes. Evaluation of the homes’ performances, by Longhurst Group, the University of Lincoln and the Technology Strategy Board, has shown that nearly all targets, such as energy consumption, U-values and thermal efficiency have been met or exceeded. Stakeholders in the site say the key to its success was the smooth partnership working between affordable housing provider L&H Homes, Allan Joyce Architects, contractors Robert Woodhead Limited, West Lindsey District Council, and Richard Julian & Associates. It is hoped the findings from this project will influence future low-energy design for residential developments, ease fuel poverty for tenants and reduce the environmental impact of projects during construction and in use.


Berkeley tops list of sustainable housebuilders


The Berkeley Group is the highest ranked housebuilder in the 2013 NextGeneration benchmark, which assesses and ranks UK residential developers on their annual sustainability performance. Berkeley, which has topped the rankings of the 10 NextGeneration members since 2007, was followed, in sequence, by Crest Nicholson, Miller Homes, Willmott Dixon, Lend Lease, Galliford Try, Barratt Developments, Taylor Wimpey, Countryside Properties and Redrow. Willmott Dixon was also the most improved company in this year’s benchmark. The benchmark, administered by Jones Lang LaSalle, ranks housebuilders’ performance in delivering sustainable homes and sharing best practice in sustainability. Twenty-five housebuilders are assessed on publicly available data such as sustainability and annual reports, while the 10 member companies also have non-publicly disclosed information reviewed. Miller Homes achieved the highest overall score for publicly available data. This year’s results show that housebuilders have demonstrated a consistent improvement in their sustainability performance over the course of the benchmark’s eight-year history. Paul King, chief executive of the UK Green Building Council, who spoke at the launch event of this year’s rankings, said: “We’re delighted that UK-GBC members Berkeley and Crest Nicholson have finished first and second in the benchmark. The NextGeneration report provides a great insight into how developers are improving their sustainability performance and reporting, and demonstrates that


Keepmoat to pay buyers’ energy bills for a year


Keepmoat is attempting to woo buyers in the north-west and Yorkshire by offering to pay buyers’ energy bills for a year.


In a bid to promote the energy efficiency of its new homes, Keepmoat is highlighting research that says the average energy bill of a household living in a new gas-heated three- bedroom Keepmoat end-terrace is £915 a year, compared with £1,582 for an equivalent Victorian property. David Wroe, Keepmoat’s new build managing director in the north-west, said: “As energy bills continue to rise, we are getting more and more interest from housebuyers who are looking to move into a modern energy-efficient house to save money. At Keepmoat we are experts in energy-efficient construction and we want to remove the worry that new-house buyers have over energy bills. We are so confident about the energy efficiency of Keepmoat homes that we are happy to pay the energy bills of any new buyer for an entire year.”


many are making great strides in delivering green homes. However, with an uncertain policy environment we cannot afford to be complacent, and industry leadership is needed now more than ever to make sure we deliver high-quality homes that are fit for the 21st century.” Rob Perrins (below), managing director at Berkeley Group, said: “Sustainability is at the heart of Berkeley. This is as true in Berkeley’s corporate strategy and commitments to shareholders as it is in the day-to-day running of a business in which our people are driven, across every discipline, to deliver long-term sustainable success.”


Britons believe energy efficiency is top infrastructure priority


Recent research by campaign group Energy Bill Revolution (EBR) has revealed the majority of Britons think energy efficiency is the UK’s most important infrastructure priority ahead of rail, road, airports and power stations,


In an EBR poll, 85% of those questioned ranked energy-efficiency measures in their homes as one of the top three priorities on the infrastructural development agenda. Nearly six in 10 (57%) placed energy- efficiency schemes as their highest priority. Ed Matthew, director of the EBR, said: “The UK government has over £100bn in infrastructure projects planned but not one single penny is set aside to insulate homes.


All parties need to listen. What people want more than anything is warm homes. This must be the UK’s number one infrastructure priority.”


EBR says the study puts further pressure on the government to act in support of energy efficiency amid energy price hikes. Recent figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed a 29% increase in winter deaths caused by a lack of affordable energy. It added that before last winter, energy-efficiency schemes were slashed in half, and the overall financial support for such schemes has been reduced by 20% over the course of this parliament.


showhouse January 2014 | 31


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