Sustainable living is about the here and now
When it comes to reducing our carbon footprint, we all think about the small changes we can make like reusing plastic bags or containers. But, when it comes to saving our future planet, change needs to happen on a much larger scale – and it needs to start today.
Building greener futures
Housebuilding is big business. Last year, Barratt Developments, comprising Barratt Homes, David Wilson Homes and Barratt London, built 12,603 homes in England, Scotland and Wales, supporting more than 44,000 jobs and investing close to £477 million into local communities.
There’s no doubt we need more homes, the country is facing higher than ever costs of living and property prices are soaring. A plentiful housing supply will help to reduce those costs, and Barratt Developments has increased its housing output by more than 50% in the last 5 years.
But as always, there is a challenge to build those homes in a sustainable way as possible.
Using science
Barratt is the first UK housebuilder to set science-based targets for reducing carbon emissions from the business by 29% by 2025, as well as reducing indirect carbon emissions in places like supply chains by 11% by 2030. Barratt has also made other pledges with the view to becoming the UK’s leading sustainable housebuilder, by doing things like reducing energy consumption and materials used on site.
The housebuilder has also pledged to build only energy-efficient homes that offer renewable technology, as well as water efficient and water saving devices to protect the supply, ecology and biodiversity.
When owners shut the door to their new Barratt home, they will also benefit from modern enhancements, such as energy-efficient insulation, to keep the property nice and warm. Additionally, the argon-filled double glazing, which is included as standard, helps to keep the natural heat from the sun inside the home, and the cold air out.
Barratt uses ‘smart wall’ technology, meaning external cavity walls incorporate heat-reflecting, low emissive technology, so that homeowners don’t need to turn the heating up – keeping costs down.
Compared to houses that were built in the 1980s, smart walls are less likely to allow damp to flourish – and, walls built in the 1980s let twice as much heat escape compared to smart walls.
All of these green features mean homebuyers can also apply for a ‘green mortgage’ – financial products that can off er preferential rates or cashback for homes that are more energy efficient.
Barratt is the first UK housebuilder to set science-based targets for reducing carbon emissions from the business by 29% by 2025.
All about the people
As well as the built environment, Barratt recognises that the business has a wider responsibility across all its activities to deliver a better societal and economic benefit to customers and communities.
That’s why Barratt has introduced a ‘Keeping People Safe’ policy, which maintains the highest standards of health and safety, as well as investing in innovation and development. In turn, this reduces overall environmental impacts because it helps respond to the skills crisis and future-proof against material shortages.
Barratt also believes in the investment in people, whether that is staff or subcontractors. The company works hard to make sure it promotes inclusion and as introduced measures to make sure people feel comfortable enough to challenge attitudes and behaviours to educate and enforce that diversity pledge.
Award winning
On the South Coast, Barratt’s Southampton Division, which covers Hampshire, Dorset, West Sussex and the Isle of Wight, has been busy building these eco-friendly communities at several popular developments.
From seaside towns like Swanage to bustling city-like experiences of Whiteley, Barratt and David Wilson Homes strives to off er the very best of local living.
All developments are located close to amenities such as schools and supermarkets, but the housebuilder also chooses to build in locations that off er open green space nearby.
Barratt Homes’ Harbour Place development in Bedhampton, Hampshire, has just won an award for Residential Development of the Year for its attractive, well-thought-out design which offers the latest modern and energy-efficient technology, with open space in abundance – with its 30 acres home to 31,000 bee-friendly planted shrubs and trees and 9 acres of wildflower meadow and 6 biodiversity areas with ponds.
It starts at home
Barratt’s environmental pledge doesn’t end once they’ve handed over the keys to a customer – in fact it’s only just beginning.
Expert design considerations ensure every aspect of energy efficiency has been taken care of – which is why a Barratt Home is up to 63% more energy efficient than a traditional home. In fact, it could be more than £3,100 per year cheaper on your energy bills.
Appliances are rated either A or A+ to ensure they save the most energy or water. Plus, the kitchens and bathrooms have water-saving fixtures, and old incandescent lights have been replaced with LEDs where possible.
And through its partnership with the RSPB, Barratt also urges homeowners to make sure the development is a good environment for both humans and animals. One example is by recently backing the ‘No Mow May’ initiative, because mowing a lawn less frequently could provide enough nectar sugar for ten times the number of bees, butterflies, moths, beetles and other pollinators, and flowers such as dandelions, a particular superfood for bees and butterflies.
Since the 1970s the UK has lost nearly 97% of its flower rich meadows, depriving pollinators like bees and butterflies of their food.
A healthy lawn with some long grass and wildflowers benefits wildlife, tackles pollution and can even lock away carbon below ground – and all homeowners need to do is to not mow their lawn in May or June.
For more information on new developments in Hampshire, visit: Harbour Place, Pebble Walk and Forest Walk.
About Barratt Developments Plc:
Barratt Developments plc is the country’s largest housebuilder, comprising Barratt Homes, David Wilson Homes and Barratt London, and is committed to building high-quality homes.
This year the company received more NHBC Pride in the Job Quality awards than any other housebuilder for the seventeenth year in a row and was awarded 5 stars by its customers in the HBF satisfaction survey for the fourteenth year in a row.
Barratt / David Wilson Homes’ Southampton division is currently building at 11 actively selling developments across Dorset, West Sussex, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
The Southampton division’s chosen charity for 2023 is the Saints Foundation who use the power and passion of Southampton Football Club to transform lives in and around Southampton, helping people fulfil their potential to be more involved, healthier and empowered members of the community.
Barratt Homes donates £18,000 per year through its Community Fund, a dedicated financial resource that helps to support local causes which improve the quality of life for those living in the region.
