Sancroft Square is a development of 141 properties where Persimmon Homes is trialling sustainable methods of construction and materials. The development incorporates 17 styles of properties to suit a range of potential purchasers and the company has placed a strong focus on eco-living from energy saving to wildlife conservation.

• zero-carbon

Solar panels are being installed on all three-, four- and five-bedroom homes, while highly efficient insulation and energy efficient heating systems are being employed. The minimum carbon index rating of all the homes being constructed will be 8.0.

• zero-waste

Persimmon recycles on average 90 per cent of the waste materials used on site, and is encouraging homeowners to do the same.

• sustainable water

Water butts are provided to homes, and water retention will be encouraged through the considered planting of trees and shrubs and landscaping of communal areas.

• local and sustainable building materials

Local building materials haven’t been used specifically. The developer says it believes strongly in employing local labour when constructing new housing.

• sustainable transport

The site is constructed around a series of tranquil family-friendly cul-de-sacs and traffic-calming measures are also being employed. Bicycle storage facilities are being provided at the development and Harleston’s town centre is within walking distance.

The homes in Tallsticks, the first phase of 100 properties, are designed to achieve level three of the Code for Sustainable Homes through eco-features including air-flow taps, energy-efficient boilers, and thermal solar panels. The completed development will feature approximately 1,250 new homes and a neighbourhood centre, where uses could include retail, restaurants, health facilities, children’s nursery.

• zero-carbon

Thermal solar panels will be installed on roofs to provide hot water. A combined heat and power boiler is being installed in the plant rooms of apartment blocks. Energy-saving light bulbs and energy efficient boilers are being installed.

• zero-waste

Recycling bins are being installed in the kitchens. Composting bins are being provided to plots with gardens.

• sustainable water

Air-flow taps, which can almost half the amount of water flow, low-fill baths and sinks to interiors; externally, water butts coupled to rainwater down pipes.

• local and sustainable building materials

Developer says timber only is being supplied from sustainable sources.

• sustainable transport

The streets and open spaces have been designed to give priority to the movement of people over cars with a series of dedicated pedestrian and cycle routes. There is cycle storage on site to promote greener transport use.

Maun Green is a collection of 22 three- and four-bedroom detached houses, three- bedroom semi-detached homes and two-bedroom bungalows within easy reach of Sutton-in-Ashfield town centre. The development has an EcoHomes rating of ‘very good’ and encourages households to take the first steps towards a greener lifestyle.

• zero-carbon

A rotary clothes dryer is provided to each household so that homeowners can use wind power rather than an electrically powered tumble dryer to get their laundry dry.

• zero-waste

As well as each home coming with a householder recycling bin to encourage residents to separate and recycle waste, building materials such as timber, hardcore, plasterboard and scrap metal are recycled during the building process.

• sustainable water

Water saving devices includes low-flush mechanisms on toilets and water butts with the aim to reduce water usage in the garden.

• local and sustainable building materials

None specified

• sustainable transport

While each home has a garden shed to provide space to store the families’ bicycles, different road and pavement surface materials have been used to encourage care within the development.