Sustainability is no longer a “nice to have” when property developments are conceived, funded and constructed.

When property development companies plan the future of where people live in the UK they must consider the environmental impact the project will have on both the local area and the residents who will live there. 

The UK Government forces developers to embrace sustainability with laws and regulations like the Environmental Act of 2021, the Energy Performance of Building Directive (EPBD) and the more recent Future Homes Standard which requires new builds to produce at least 75% less carbon emissions than current levels. 

Aside from the obligation imposed by the UK Government, developers that embrace sustainable building practices see long-term financial benefits including enhanced property value and appeal from investors looking to make their property portfolios sustainable. 

Last but not least, developers committing their projects to sustainability see a boost in their own brand reputation and public perception. The climate crisis is on the minds of many, including home buyers. Data reveals that 75% of home buyers in the UK want to purchase a home with a high Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating and sustainable features like solar panels.

From energy efficiency to low-carbon materials, here are 8 ways property developers in the UK incorporate sustainable practices into their builds.

Prioritising Energy Efficiency

An easy way to commit to sustainability is to focus on energy efficiency. Maintaining energy energy efficiency is crucial to reducing energy consumption and household bills. During the construction process many developers are now installing:

• High-performance insulation and triple glazing to maintain warmth and reduce the need for heating.
• Energy-efficient lighting and smart home technologies to help residents monitor and control energy use.

One of the UK’s largest housebuilders, Barratt Developments, aims to build zero-carbon homes by 2030. Their new homes already feature highly efficient insulation and energy-saving technologies, exceeding current energy standards.

Embracing Renewable Energy

Renewable energies are derived from natural resources (like the sun or wind) and replenish at a higher rate than consumed. These forms of energy are clean, offer little or no greenhouse gas emissions and can be a cost-effective investment for developers. As forms of renewable energy like wind play a growing role in the UK becoming energy independent, they are also being incorporated in housing developments like:

• Installing Solar panels to generate electricity or heat water.
• Shifting to air-source and ground-source heat pumps which provide efficient, low-carbon heating rather than the traditional combi boilers that are fueled by natural gas.

The Berkeley Group is integrating renewable energy into its developments. Kidbrooke Village, one of their developments in the Royal Borough of Greenwich, uses a district heating system to supply low-carbon heating across the entire site, and solar panels are part of many of their projects.

Using Sustainable Building Materials

Building with sustainable materials is a foundational step in reducing environmental impact during the construction process. Using these materials can reduce carbon footprint, improve market value and reduce waste. Some of the ways developers can incorporate more sustainable materials into their construction include:

• Recycled and locally sourced materials to cut down on transportation emissions
• Low-carbon concrete and sustainable timber to minimise carbon footprints

Bridgewater Developments prioritise sustainable materials like recycled steel, sustainably harvested timber and actively recycles construction waste and prefer to use locally sourced materials whenever possible to reduce transportation-related emissions.

Conserving Water

Water conservation is crucial in property development. Developers that reduce water demand relieve water security, reduce costs and support a healthy local ecosystem. There are many way developers can conserve water including:

• Rainwater harvesting systems that collect and reuse rainwater for gardens and non-drinking water needs
• Greywater recycling systems to reuse water from sinks and showers for flushing toilets
• Low-flow taps and showers can reduce water consumption

Promoting Biodiversity and Green Spaces

Biodiversity is the variety of life and how that life interacts with each other and is vital for humans, plants and animals. Property developments impact the local biodiversity regardless if it is an urban development, in the suburbs or rural.

Preserving the local area’s biodiversity is another tenet of sustainable housing, and many developers are now integrating green spaces and wildlife-friendly designs into their development plans including:

• Green roofs and living walls that improve insulation and provide habitats for local wildlife
• Native planting and biodiversity corridors ensuring that developments enhance the local ecosystem

EcoWorld London’s Verdo Kew Bridge development incorporate extensive green spaces, green roofs and wildlife-friendly planting. these features support biodiversity while offering residents a pleasant environment that is eco-friendly.

Supporting Low-Carbon Living Through Urban Planning

A commitment to sustainability goes beyond individual family homes. A home is just a building if it isn’t surrounded by some sort of community. When new communities coalesce around sustainable living the local social fabric is enhanced along with an improved quality of life. Before that community can exist, developers need to consider how a sustainable community can be built by incorporating things like:

• Mixed-use developments reduce the need for car travel by integrating homes, shops and offices
• Electric Vehicle (EV) charging points to support low-emission transport
• Public transport links and cycling infrastructure to promote sustainable travel

Low-Carbon Heating Solutions

Since the outbreak of war in Ukraine, the UK has how being energy-reliant on exports from other countries can negatively impact energy bills. While combi boilers are still common, more sustainable alternatives are becoming more readily available and affordable like:

• Heat networks that supply low-carbon neat to entire developments
• Ground-source and air-source heat pumps are more energy-efficiant than traditional systems.

Legal & General’s Modular Homes division incorporates air-source heat pumps and other low-carbon heating solutions in its projects. The end result is more energy-efficiant homes that significantly reduce emissions.

Building to Net-Zero Standards

Some developers are taking sustainability even further by aiming to build net-zero carbon homes which generate as much energy as they use through a combination of efficient design and renewable energy sources including:

• Installing and offering energy-efficient appliances and white-goods
• High quality windows and doors that retain heat
• Installing solar panels and smart meters for maximum energy efficiency

The path to a greener future in the UK is led by developers who embrace sustainable building practises. Energy-efficient designs, renewable energy and sustainable materials all contributing to reducing the housing sector’s environmental impact.