A joint development by Crest Nicholson and BioRegional Quintain, One Brighton, New England Quarter, will espouse the One Planet Living principles. The 172 apartments will produce zero-carbon emissions, zero-waste; will use sustainable materials, implement sustainable transport solutions, and apply measures to support local and sustainable food and wildlife.

• zero-carbon

A boiler using recycled wood chips will provide hot water and space heating; eight roof-mounted wind turbines will contribute towards the electricity demands that will otherwise be brought in from new capacity renewable sources.

• zero-waste

Recycling and composting will be encouraged through the provision of onsite segregation and composting facilities.

• sustainable water

Water consumption will be reduced through efficient fittings and appliances. Rainwater will be harvested and used for irrigation and for WCs in the community facility.

• local and sustainable building materials

High performance, but reduced impact in sourcing, manufacturing and transportation - including natural clay blocks, wood fibre insulation and concrete made with recycled materials – will be used.

• sustainable transport

The site is proposed as ‘car-free’, and is well served by public transport and has very good access to a range of everyday services and amenities.

The Mill Meadow holiday home project comprises 18 Scandinavian type, two-storey homes on the edge of an area of outstanding natural beauty in Somerset. The project has been developed with a significant level of sustainability with a low carbon, low energy footprint. A BRE Ecohomes ‘Excellent’ rating has been achieved for the completed show house, plot 1, which it is the aim for the whole project to realise. A full wildlife plan is in place.

• zero-carbon

Ground source heat pumps supply underfloor heating and domestic hot water requirements. Buildings have a high insulation factor, triple-glazed windows and excellent airtight quality. Top up energy, when required, is from green tariff for main electric supply. Low energy lighting is installed throughout and energy efficient (A) appliances and biomass (woodburning) stove are in place.

• zero-waste

Link to local waste recycling initiative has been established. Full recycling is accessible. Individual composting option is being explored. Waste from construction is minimal. All hardcore used on site is recycled material from both on- and offsite. Wood residual from the cabin structure is used to fuel wood burners, and cardboard packaging is recycled.

• sustainable water

Water-saving taps, showers and reduced-flush mechanisms on toilets have been installed. Rainwater harvesting for toilets, clothes washing and irrigation is in place and hard surfaces around each plot are permeable. As the access road is tarmac, minimal runoff is taken up by extensive landscaping areas.

• local and sustainable building materials

The log houses are constructed from FSC sourced timber from a manufacturer in Finland. Two Finnish carpenters are leading the buildings’ erection, which are assisted by local labour. All other labour sourced locally. In percentage terms 60 per cent of the value and 80 per cent of the materials and labour have been sourced in the South West.

• sustainable transport

A shuttle service is provided to the local main line station at Taunton, seven minutes away with links to Paddington, London, in under two hours. A shuttle is available to regional airports at Bristol (45mins) and Exeter (40 mins). Bicycles supplied and secure storage is available onsite. A car pool scheme is in consideration.

Stawell is situated in the lea of the Polden Hills, above the Somerset Levels, and near several designated havens for wildlife. The new homes will blend both traditional and contemporary design, which will help to ensure a healthy internal environment with low heating and electricity bills. The houses will be built to level 5 of the Code for Sustainable Homes.

• zero-carbon

The houses are designed to be zero-carbon in operation as the onsite generation, in the form of PV cells and solar thermal panels, offsets the demand of the essential services i.e. lighting, water- and space-heating. Any supplementary heating requirement is from wood pellets which are a carbon-neutral fuel. A ++ Fridge freezer and dishwasher are provided.

• zero-waste

The development operates a waste management plan to reduce waste and maximise recycling.

• sustainable water

All properties have 2,500 litre rainwater harvesting systems, water butts and low flow taps and showers as well as dual flush toilets as standard.

• local and sustainable building materials

All timber used on site will be from certified sustainable FSC sources. Local labour is used for the majority of the work. Natural materials are used for flooring while avoiding throughout the use of PVC, solvents, glues and chemical based synthetic paints.

• sustainable transport

There will be a shared electric pool car. There are good transport links at Bridgwater, five miles away, where there’s a mainline train link, with hourly services to Bristol and London and a regular bus service from the village.