Crest Nicholson and BioRegional Quintain, under a joint partnership, has recently begun construction on 172 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments at New England Quarter, Brighton, south England. The apartments, including 54 affordable housing units, are designed to be the most environmentally advanced development yet in the UK.

Developed in accordance with the 10 One Planet Living principles in order to provide a comprehensive lifestyle orientated approach to sustainability, New England Quarter aims for zero-carbon emissions, zero-waste, the use of sustainable materials, to implement sustainable transport solutions, and apply measures to support local and sustainable food and wildlife.

The development will include an energy efficient onsite communal woodchip biomass boiler, supplied from local wood waste that currently goes to landfill, and operated by a community owned energy service company (ESCO). The scheme will include eight onsite roof mounted wind turbines as well as photovoltaic panels.

New England Quarter will be the first One Planet Living and zero-carbon initiative to be undertaken by the joint developers. The duo also has won the London Development Agency awarded contract to develop One Gallions residential development, the Mayor of London's zero-carbon exemplar scheme, in London's Royal Docks.