| The sustainability of a new home has become
increasingly important; the need to address climate change has resulted
in a number of measures to make new homes more energy efficient. Specifically
the Government require all new homes to achieve a 25% improvement
in energy efficiency standards from October 2010. In moving towards
these requirements Bellway has this year delivered 428 homes to Code
Level 3 (63 in 2008) and 786 homes to Eco Homes very good standard
(43 in 2008).
Renewable energy technology and improved measures to
save water are increasingly common place in all new developments
and benefit customers through lower utility bills. In order to increase
energy efficiency and reduce the carbon foot-print of a new home
we have installed alternative heating technology such as solar and
photovoltaic panels in 442 homes this year. Water saving devices
such as flow restrictors, mixer taps and dual flush toilets will
result in average consumption savings of 103 litres per person per
day.
In addition to energy savings in the home, when planning
new sites we take into account transport considerations and where
possible offer alternative options such as car clubs and cycle to
work schemes. This year 174 of our sites have been developed within
500 metres of a transport node and over 2,212 homes have access
to a cycle store. |
