City centre developers lead way in sustainability
The eco-credentials of the housebuilding industry are in the spotlight.
The government has set out its proposals for all new homes to be carbon neutral by 2016, the Code for Sustainable Homes is already in place with a mandatory star rating given to all new properties as an indication of their sustainable performance, and Energy Performance Certificates are a vital part of every Home Information Pack.
Here Phil Marston of Masshouse Developments – the force behind the £600 million Masshouse scheme in Birmingham’s Eastside – explores how developers are boosting the choice on offer for today’s environmentally-aware homebuyers, with new build homes being a greener option than older properties on the market. And, taking a wider perspective of the new homes market, he also looks at how the developers behind the trend for apartment living in Birmingham city centre have made a major contribution to establishing the city as a sustainable place to live and work:
The Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH) effectively acts as a benchmark for developers, with criteria covering six levels of sustainability – six being a zero carbon home. It is widely accepted that there are many benefits to this system of assessment: for the environment, for developers and the industry as a whole, and crucially for homebuyers who can make an informed choice between properties according to their priorities.
However, before homebuyers even begin to consider CSH ratings and Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), there is a fundamental choice for those looking to get on or move up the property ladder – whether to buy a new build or a second hand property. For those who are looking to follow a more eco-aware lifestyle, new build is almost always going to be the right choice.
The New Homes Marketing Board – established by the well-respected Home Builders Federation – points out that new build homes are up to six times more energy efficient than a home built in 1900, and it’s easy to see how this is the case.
The modern materials and construction methods used in building new homes, together with building regulations and standards that have been introduced over the years, make for a well-designed new home that is efficient in terms of its water and heating usage. With the continual development of innovative new practices in construction, and with the government’s ongoing drive towards zero carbon, the gap between new build and older properties looks set to become even wider. Market forces such as buyer demand and the cost of materials will ultimately influence how far developers go towards achieving certain levels of sustainability; however with the property industry becoming increasingly competitive in the current economic climate, developers may up the ante when it comes to shouting about the eco-credentials of their new build properties in order to help them stand out in the marketplace.
Whereas the CSH focuses on the sustainable performance of individual homes, it is important to look at the impact of development on wider residential communities to see how continued investment into Birmingham city centre by developers is helping people to lead greener lifestyles.
Mixed use schemes such as Masshouse, which have tapped into the trend for apartment living and are also set to deliver high quality office and leisure/ retail space, are not only regenerating the city centre, but are also making the city a more sustainable place to live and work.
City homeowners tend to have less of a reliance on the car – especially if they work in the city centre. With work, shops, the gym and nightlife on the doorstep, daily amenities are all within walking distance – and with so many public transport options on the doorstep – homeowners can find it easier to adopt a more environmentally friendly way of life. Not only does this level of convenience save apartment owners in the city centre time and money, they can feel virtuous in the knowledge that their carbon footprint is likely to be lower than someone living in the suburbs and commuting to work on a daily basis.
There is still a long way to go before zero carbon becomes an easily attainable target for developers, however progress continues apace in this area, with sustainability high on the agenda for those who are keen to stay ahead of the competition and to lead the way in the delivery of sustainable new communities.
