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 an electric charging point. 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.

One Vale Street, which achieves Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH), is located within 1.5 miles of leafy Dulwich Village and within a mile of West Norwood train station for travel to London Bridge in 20-25 minutes. Eco-features that have contributed to its high CSH and EPC ratings include: super-insulated external walls (U value 0.13), double loft insulation and triple glazed windows; a communal biomass boiler for heating and hot water; onsite recycling facilities and an underground refuse system; secure bicycle storage and one year’s free membership to the City Car Club scheme.

• zero-carbon

The homes have super-insulated external walls (U value 0.13), double loft insulation and triple glazed windows to reduce fuel bills and CO2 emissions. A communal biomass boiler provides heating and hot water from a renewable energy source. Those homes fitted with solar panels have meters to show how much energy is generated from the sun, which is estimated at up to 1000 units per month and which equates to an individual saving of approximately £12 per month. Each home also has a computerised meter, which monitors energy use and provides automated billing.

• zero-waste

Recycling facilities are provided onsite for the use of all residents. A DVD and a handbook are provided for homeowners to explain which items should be recycled and the importance of doing so. There is an underground refuse system for non-recyclable household waste. Building waste accumulated during the construction process was recycled as per the requirements for CSH compliance.

• sustainable water

Water conservation and recycling facilities have been provided, which include air flow taps and low flush toilets. The apartment buildings have been planted with green and brown roofs which will limit rainwater run-off and provide a natural habitat for local wildlife. All apartments have water butts to collect rainwater for irrigation, and each one has a planted window box.

• local and sustainable building materials

The apartments’ external brickwork is in keeping with the local suburban housing vernacular. Sustainable lime mortar has been used rather than cement. An external vertical timber facade limits the mass of the blocks and underlines the use of renewable materials from sustainable sources used during construction. Local labour was employed at the scheme by the building contractor, Higgins Construction.

• sustainable transport

Extensive and secure bicycle storage is provided for residents. Residents are entitled to one year’s free membership of City Car Club, with a car parking space onsite. One Vale Street is located within a mile of West Norwood train station for travel to London Bridge in 20-25 minutes. Nearby bus services are regular and frequent.