Environment
Housing has a significant impact on the environment with around 25% of the UK's carbon emissions being generated in our homes.
On average in Britain, £1 in every £3 spent on energy in the home is wasted immediately. However, at Countryside Properties we have an excellent track record in building high quality new homes that are highly energy and water efficient.
We are also widely recognised for creating developments which are environmentally and socially sustainable. This is great for our customers financially and it’s good for the environment too.
As a leader in sustainable development we recognise that innovative, responsible development creates added value and is fundamental to our future. Countryside Properties is totally committed to sustainable development.
We ensure that environmental considerations are incorporated into the planning and design of all of our developments. We also ensure that the landscapes we create integrate with and enhance the surrounding natural and
built environment. During construction we adhere to the principles of best construction practice and good neighbourliness through the Considerate Constructors Scheme.
Recognition
Countryside Properties has been ranked by NextGeneration (which includes WWF) as the leading privately owned housebuilder with regard to its sustainability practices and reporting.
In 2006 we were delighted to achieve the International Environmental Management Standard ISO 14001:2004 from the British Standards Institute.
We have received 60 awards for sustainability since 2001.
EcoHomes
Throughout our business we are looking to reduce our environmental and social impacts by using the Building Research Establishment’s EcoHomes rating scheme, in advance of the Government’s Code for Sustainable Homes.
EcoHomes is an authoritative rating for new homes. It sets out a series of best practice criteria, against which the environmental aspects of building design and operation can be assessed.
EcoHomes considers the broad environmental concerns of climate change, resource use and impact on wildlife, and balances these against the need for a high quality of life, and a safe and healthy internal environment. The issues assessed are grouped into seven categories:
- Energy
- Transport
- Water
- Ecology and land use
- Pollution
- Health and well being
- Materials
The biggest source of carbon emissions for most people is likely to be the energy you use in your home, of which the biggest use is for heating. We therefore use energy efficient appliances and water saving devices and
typically the gas condensing boilers we install in our new houses are 10% to 15% more energy efficient than traditional gas boilers.
EcoHomes offers our new home customers the benefits of reduced costs through superior energy and water efficiency, and reduced maintenance, as well as comfortable, healthy, and flexible internal living space. It therefore helps to reduce carbon dioxide emissions which in turn safeguards the environment.