Stamford Brook, developed as a joint venture between Bryant Homes and Redrow Homes in association with the National Trust, gives home owners the opportunity to reduce electricity, gas and water usage, and to save on bills, through improving the air tightness of the properties, building in efficient systems and making it easy to segregate waste for recycling.

• zero-carbon

The development does not include any renewable energy sources, rather the philosophy has been to reduce energy requirements through higher levels of insulation and air tight construction. Passive and mechanical ventilation systems are included within most homes.

• zero-waste

Through the construction of the development construction waste is segregated and recycled as far as practically possible. Householders are encouraged so segregate their recyclables and each kitchen is equipped with segregated storage for waste to encourage use of local recycling schemes.

• sustainable water

Reduced water usage is promoted within the development through low flush toilets, reduced usage showerheads and tap restrictors.

• local and sustainable building materials

As far as practically possible all materials used have a reduced impact on the environment, e.g. CFC free - and are low in embodied energy. All timber is specified as sustainable and as far as possible recyclable materials particularly aggregate are used for construction.

• sustainable transport

The development seeks to promote cycling and walking through the enhancement of existing footpaths and the creation of new ones throughout the development particularly through the recently restored river corridor.

Designed to achieve Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes, all dwellings will be super-insulated and feature triple glazed windows. Air source heat pumps, solar thermal, rainwater and grey water harvesting, energy efficient appliances and water saving features will be installed as standard. Each home will have recycling facilities, bike storage and natural drying areas.

• zero-carbon

Renewable energy will be provided from a combination of solar thermal and air source heat pumps. Approximately 23% of energy is provided by the solar thermal input. Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery will be used with a trailled 90% efficiency (SAP appendix Q) with a target air-tightness of 2m3 @ 50Pa. U-values: walls 0.15W/m2K, floor 0.16W/m2K, roof 0.14W/m2K, windows 1.00W/m2K

• zero-waste

Within the layout of the development there will be internal and external areas, both communal and private, where dedicated areas for general waste, recycling bins, boxes and bags are provided. These areas are located in convenient positions to encourage recycling and provide for the collection of glass, metal, plastic, paper, card and green waste.

• sustainable water

Rainwater from dwellings 1 to 17 and 28 to 33 will be collected in underground tanks. The grey water from the baths and showers in dwellings 18 to 27 and the apartments will be collected and used to flush the toilets. Low-flush mechanisms will be used throughout as will air-flow taps and showers.

• local and sustainable building materials

Wherever possible local materials from sustainable sources will be used, consequently with low carbon footprints arising from production and delivery. Furness Bricks have been specified due to their locality, while Brazilian slates have been specified due to their improved environmental credentials. All timber will be FSC accredited.

• sustainable transport

Cycle storage is provided with two spaces within the curtilage of the two- and three-bedroom dwellings and 4 spaces within the curtilage of four-bedroom dwellings. The cycle storage is located in convenient and safe locations either within the dwellings or garages, or in covered external storage areas within private gardens.

The West Village development in Reading has achieved an Ecohomes rating of ‘Very Good’, utilising various ‘green’ initiatives including the use of sustainable building materials, renewable energy sources, rainwater harvesting, and home-zone arrangements.

• zero-carbon

The first phase comprises low-rise homes that incorporate both solar thermal and photovoltaic collectors (cells converting daylight into low voltage electricity). A district heating system, powered by renewable energy, is being designed to power the apartments.

• zero-waste

Barratt Homes has a group wide waste recycling structure in place. Suitable inert materials are reused on site; active wastes, plasterboards and compactable wastes are segregated and recycled where possible.

• sustainable water

The hard landscaping has been designed to limit rainwater runoff, being of either permeable paving, or designed to collect and harvest grey water for use in the communal irrigation system.

• local and sustainable building materials

Original building materials, reflecting the history of the local area, were salvaged during the site clearance, and have been used entirely to construct the wall to the public open space.

• sustainable transport

The West Village is in a town central location and has been designed with sustainable transport links in mind utilising ‘home-zone’ traffic calming measures, limited parking, and cycle storage facilities.