Sustainability trends and building strong communities in the new build homes market

From 2025, the Future Homes Standard will deliver homes that are zero-carbon ready1, with a focus on low carbon heating and world-leading levels of energy efficiency. This will support the Government in reaching its legally binding net zero emissions target, which requires the UK to bring all greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. The homes that are constructed now need to be future proofed and decarbonised so that they last for generations to come. By working together as an industry, we can improve the fabric standards of our homes and focus on bringing lasting change to home design, people, and communities to improve economic, environmental and social outcomes for generations to come. Under the new standards, it is expected that an average semi-detached home will produce 75-80% less carbon dioxide emissions than older housing stock. There are a multitude of ways that we can make homes more energy efficient, and embracing smart technology is one such example. It is now the requirement to include electric vehicle charge points with a minimum nominal rated output of 7kW in all new homes with on-site or associated parking spaces. Standardising new technologies and innovations, including low-carbon heating sources such as air source heat pumps, will enable housebuilders to meet the Future Homes Standard, and support the population as people become more aware of their personal carbon footprint. Initiatives that support biodiversity must also be considered to improve the environment of new developments, and ensure that homebuilders approach design with a view to leaving the natural environment in a measurably better state than previously. This in turn will support the building of sustainable communities and enhanced environments that people value. Embedding features that benefit wildlife and nature such as planting hedgerows and trees, creating wildflower-rich grasslands and pollinator parks, and installing bat and bird boxes and ‘hedgehog highways’, can ensure developments are able to provide homes for nature as well as people. Additional measures such as planning bodies of water, such as ponds and swales, into developments not only improve the outdoor space, but also offer significant environmental benefits. This is particularly important as the Government is legally bound to half the decline in species population by 2030. Developing new communities Working together to create developments that improve economic, environmental and social outcomes is key to building strong communities. Health, wellbeing and prosperity are closely linked to a healthy environment. For example, 50% of people in the most deprived areas report poorer health over two decades ahead of those in the least deprived areas2. It is therefore important that the new communities we’re currently building are making a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of the people who live there. Home buyers now spend more time in their homes as hybrid working continues to be popular, meaning they’re more likely to invest time into their local communities, strive for positive social inclusion and develop a presence within their neighbourhood. Flexible living space and gardens have never been so important, and easily accessible links between houses and public spaces will create strong communities that encourage communication and social interaction between home owners. For example, Keepmoat has a long term partnership with Homes England and Gedling Borough Council that is working to transform a brownfield site to provide affordable homes, jobs and environmental enhancements. The development which is being built out through four phases provides an example of how homebuilders establishing strategic partnerships can drive investment in local communities and deliver local benefits. The 50 hectare brownfield site is being redeveloped to provide over 900 new homes, local retail area, amenity space, community investment and substantial infrastructure. By creating safer, more sustainable places for people to live and establishing partnership models, homebuilders will create and improve places that drive positive outcomes for communities and the environment. This is particularly important as new legislative changes come into force and the UK Government now has legally binding targets that must be met.

Sustainability trends and building strong communities in the new build homes market

Byline: John Bowden, head of Sustainability at Keepmoat

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