Energy Efficiency and Carbon Neutrality
Carbon neutrality refers to building energy use. Most proclaimed zero carbon developments in the UK are not successful in practice, so it is vital that we use rigorous science and proven technologies if we really to achieve our aims.

In order to calculate how we get to carbon neutral we calculate the energy use of the designed buildings taking the new Part L as a theoretical base performance level and then look at how we achieve carbon neutrality using a number of available methods.

Achieving 75% reduction in carbon use is possible with very little extra cost. This can be done entirely with enhanced fabric performance of the thermal envelope and user awareness. These are the focus of all of our developments. The installation of low energy appliances is also key. We then look at a number of options to achieve carbon neutrality including biomass boilers for heating, combined heat and power (which can also be fuelled by biomass), wind and solar power. “Micro-technologies” and “on-site” solutions can often be uneconomical and hence we actively support and invest in larger scale cost effective solutions such as off-site wind power. These options are site specific and carefully considered during the design process

There are other important criteria considered during this process including water efficiency and ventilation. By installing high efficiency appliances, flow regulators and well designed pipe runs provides 40-50% reduction in water use compared to UK average usage with minimal extra cost. Ventilation in airtight buildings is achieved through options such as passive stack or efficient Mechanical Extract Ventilation systems.

All our developments are monitored closely by consultants specialising in sustainable building and our colleagues of the Good Homes Alliance which is a group of housing developers, building professionals and sustainability experts whose aim is to build and promote sustainable homes and communities, and to transform the whole of mainstream UK house building into a sustainable endeavour. As founder members we share entirely their philosophy and approach to construction.

The Social Dimension
Local Industry and Labour
We always aim to use local aggregates, concrete, render & timber cladding and reclaimed slates. In the case of the project at St Austell for Restormel Borough Council we will use local pressed unfired clay partitioning blocks made from waste clay heaps. We hope to provide more opportunities on sites for using local labour where we offer free on site training to use certain products.

Disability
In all of our developments we aim for as many of the homes as possible to be relevant for disabled living to a minimum of the Joseph Rowntree Lifetime Homes and Secure by Design standards. As disabled people frequently have high levels of occupancy, comfort, fuel costs and healthy living environments are even more important than usual.

Our homes have flexible layouts and where possible the potential to adapt the loft and to extend ground floors. The majority of apartments have lifts and a selection of parking is adaptable for wide wheelchair access.
+ Restormel Borough Council

Healthy
Healthy internal environments are always one of our core priorities with all of our developments. The use of breathing wall systems, both vapour open and hygroscopic alongside high quality MVHR ensures balanced humidity at all times, even when the MVHR is off during the summer. This keeps the internal Relative Humidity between 40% and 60% at all times, thus ensuring no dust mite, mould or bacterial infection internally. Our homes are low allergy homes. Also where possible we aim to provide allotment areas to encourage organic food production and in turn encouraging healthy living.
+ Restormel Borough Council

Education
Education of the partners, occupants and local community is always a key element of any development. We not only produce clear and easy to use Homes User Guides but look to raise awareness of the occupants of how they can make a difference. On some sites we will provide smart monitoring technologies to inform occupants of their energy and water use. The aim is to motivate the occupants to want to choose to embrace sustainability from awareness, knowledge and most importantly self interest.

Where possible we incorporate a community education plan where we work with partners, occupants and the wide community to deliver monitor and evolve the sustainable development process in terms of performance, costs and wider environmental and social benefits.
+ Restormel Borough Council

Other considerations on all of our developments include the following:

Surface Water Management – Porous pavements, green street planters and vegetation irrigation from roof run off as well as green roofs.

Site Waste Management - Implementation of the best practice in reuse, recycling and segregated disposal of site waste.

Household Waste Management - Internal storage for recycling and home composting units.

Sound Insulation - Very high acoustic protection and where possible in excess of the current part E where this of particular importance in separating floors and walls to apartments.

Daylighting - Daylight factor of 2, using 20% glazing to the south, high dormers, roof lights and open plan where possible to ensure good light.

Security - Consultation with the local police to integrate Secure by Design guidelines including secure bike and bin stores, glazing, alarm and lighting measures.