The Parks promotes sustainable living through features such as rainwater butts, solar panels and recyclable wood products, and gives careful consideration to ecology. The scheme’s landscape will ensure that the wildlife and amenity value is preserved and the biodiversity of the site maximised. The Parks has received an Ecohomes ‘Very Good’ rating.

• zero-carbon

There is the option of having a solar panel installed in the roof of homes to help cut energy bills.

• zero-waste

Recycling storage has been specially designed to be discreet for pickup by Bracknell Forest Borough Council’s refuse trucks.

• sustainable water

Rainwater butts will collect rainwater from the rooftops for irrigation use on the gardens and communal landscaped areas. A balancing pond will provide a Sustainable Urban Drainage Solution (SUDS), which will help to reduce any excess water run-off. Bathrooms will feature dual-flush WCs, low flow showers and spray taps on basins to reduce water wastage.

• local and sustainable building materials

Kitchen units and worktops will be made from recycled wood products or timber which has been certified from sustainable sources.

• sustainable transport

Cycle storage sheds encourage the usage of bikes for local trips, and Bracknell train station is only a short ride away. Cycleways and walkways provide safe and quick connections to surrounding areas.

With a dedication to building green homes, Taylor Wimpey will ensure that each new home at Academy Central will achieve a “Code Level 3” Sustainable Homes standard. This means that they will be at least 25% more energy efficient than homes built to the 2006 Building Regulations Standards.

• zero-carbon

Biomass (wood pellets) will fuel an on-site Combined Heat & Power energy centre to provide district heating/hot water. Homes are highly insulated and ‘green roofsrsquo; to selected plots enhance insulation and air quality.

• zero-waste

Recycling is collected by the local authority and building waste material is being recycled in line with contract requirements.

• sustainable water

Each house comes with a water butt in the garden. All homes have dual flush toilets and 130-litre baths fitted with flow-restrictor taps.

• local and sustainable building materials

Wood used in the construction of homes is from sustainable sources. The development aims to employ at least one-fifth of construction workers, contractors and suppliers from the Barking and Dagenham area.

• sustainable transport

Pedestrian plazas and raised tables help reduce traffic speeds. ‘Car club’ spaces encourage journey sharing. Green Travel Plan with the local authority will provide new bus services, paths and cycleways.

With low energy lighting inside and out, efficient condensing gas boilers and thermal store systems and A-rated appliances throughout, the homes at be at Newhall are designed with the environment in mind. Further, the home’s large glazed areas allow natural light and heat into the home, while solar collectors fitted to the roof access the sun’s energy. Be at Newhall has been designed by award winning architect Alison Brooks.

• zero-carbon

Photovoltaic panels are used on the housing association units, both houses and flats, which can be sent back to the grid if a surplus is generated. Approx. 50% of the units’ energy is produced this way. Solar thermal panels have been added to the private sales units. The air tightness of the units has been designed to a high level so as to aid with design and SAP ratings. The following U-values are being achieved: walls 0.18; roof 0.14; floor 0.2; windows 1.3.

• zero-waste

Each unit will have an internal recycling bin with separate containers for paper/plastic/glass and tins. The local council operates a recycling collection procedure by which the material is collected. Compost bins will be included in the housing association units for use around the garden spaces. Site waste is separated and recycled.

• sustainable water

Low flush toilets and flow restrictors are used on the taps. There are rainwater butts installed to harvest the rainwater to be used around the garden areas.

• local and sustainable building materials

Local labour is used and monitored on this site. Timber which is used on site is ordered from local and sustainable sources and certification is provided.

• sustainable transport

The site location is sited so as to take advantage of the local transport network, trains buses etc. There are traffic-calming measures on site such as low speed zones.