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 biomass boiler using recycled wood chips will provide hot water and space heating; photovoltaic panels will contribute towards the electricity demands that will otherwise be brought in from 100% 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 car-free - residents have use of an onsite car club - and is well served by public transport (Brighton train station is a two-minute walk away), and has very good access to a range of everyday services and amenities.

RiversideOne is a £200m regeneration project that will see Middlesbrough’s derelict Middlehaven Docks area transformed into a vibrant waterside community featuring state-of-the-art residential, leisure, education, and commercial facilities. Masterplanned by architect Will Alsop, the scheme by sustainable community developer BioRegional Quintain in partnership with Tees Valley Regeneration is the largest planned zero-carbon development in the UK.

• zero-carbon

RiversideOne is designed to be very energy efficient as well as zero carbon. The buildings will be highly insulated to stay warm in winter, with argon filled double glazing and energy efficient lighting and appliances. The concrete frame construction will enable the building to stay cool in summer by absorbing heat. The reduced demand for heat and electricity will be met using renewable energy generated from both on-site (bio-mass boiler) and offsite sources to achieve net zero carbon dioxide emissions.

• zero-waste

Recycling and composting will be made easy at RiversideOne through the provision of on-site waste segregation and composting facilities. As part of a sustainable approach to resource management, support and guidance will be offered to residents to help reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill.

• sustainable water

The apartments will be specified with the latest water efficient appliances and fittings, with the aim to significantly reduce domestic water consumption. Rainwater will be used within the landscape for irrigation and amenity, and where necessary will be discharged into the dock to reduce the load on local drainage systems.

• local and sustainable building materials

RiversideOne has been designed to make full use of local, healthy, natural, reclaimed and recycled materials. Some of the construction materials are the most advanced and sustainable in the UK, providing the possibility of long term heath benefits to residents. The energy used to extract, process, refine and transport materials (embodied energy) as well as pollution and waste generated, will be reduced. Locally-sourced materials will be used to reduce transport impacts and to support the local economy.

• sustainable transport

A managed car park will be provided for residents. The development will also provide RiversideOne and the wider area of Middlehaven with a number of additional and sustainable transport options. A car club will be established to provide the convenience of pay-as-you-go motoring without the expense and hassle of car ownership for those who don’t need or want a car. Car use and transport-related emissions will be reduced at RiversideOne by providing access to local services and public transport and facilities for cyclists.

Greenhouse is the part refurbishment and part new build of a redundant 1930’s art-deco period hostel, in south Leeds. Set around a tranquil private courtyard, Greenhouse comprises 172 apartments and live work units, office spaces, residents’ gym, cafe deli and office support facilities. Through the installation of three renewable technologies - ground source heat, solar thermal and rooftop wind turbines - innovation, the developers, Citu, are demonstrating that energy efficiency measures and onsite renewable technologies can be successfully integrated within an existing building to dramatically improve the air tightness and building performance. IP (Internet Protocol) network has been installed to each apartment to enable Voice over IP (VOIP), high speed data access, Door Entry Systems, and tangible energy usage data translated into kg CO2 and £’s to each residents’ TV, which will provide real-time consumption data which will be benchmarked against the average user. When completed in the first quarter of 2010, the combined sustainable technologies along with an off-site wind turbine that Citu is looking to install will mean that Greenhouse will use less energy than it creates - effectively carbon neutral in operation.

• zero-carbon

Renewable energy onsite includes a borehole system with Ground Source Heat Pump and VRF heating and cooling distribution system. (Predicted energy generation of 612,083kWh/yr.) Solar thermal technology is installed to distribution hot water system (predicted energy generation of 64,068kWh/yr), and rooftop turbines (17,000-24,000kWh/yr electricity predicted per anum) are connected to the landlords’ supply to provide the energy for communal lighting. Particular attention has been given to the air tightness of the building envelope, which ensures exceptional U-values for new and existing build elements of: walls: 0.15; ground floors: 0.15; roof : 0.1; windows: 1.42; doors: 1.30. More than 75% of the buildings have dedicated energy efficient lighting. Communal lighting is activated by PIRs. The net effect is carbon reduction of circa 1 tonne per apartment per annum. SAP calculations estimate that the percentage emissions reduction is circa 57%. The above is monitored through extensive metering onsite to record the generation from three renewable technologies and provides actual evidence of COP’s equipment. Reporting is undertaken to the Low Carbon Buildings Programme from whom grant funding was received.

• zero-waste

Built-in recycling bins are provided to each apartment, which are linked into the local authority recycling collection scheme. An average of 89% of construction waste has been recycled offsite to date. Residents have the option of a local allotment for harvesting their own fruit and vegetables. Organic waste is composted and reused on the development’s allotments.

• sustainable water

Water conservation is practised through low flush wcs and airflow taps. Rainwater harvesting and grey water recycling is incorporated into each building which results in circa 80 litres of potable water per person per day saved.

• local and sustainable building materials

The responsible sourcing of all construction materials, eg, the use of GGBS concrete has been undertaken. Fixtures and furnishings too have been responsibly and sustainably sourced and shipped (where necessary) and include 100% wool carpets, solid bamboo flooring, plus A & A+ rated white goods.

• sustainable transport

Secure cycle storage and free bicycle rental is provided within the development. Residents are invited to join the onsite electric car club. Car parking spaces are provided although the developer says these will be kept to a minimum.