Living Villages specialises in designing and building energy efficient, environmentally friendly and socially sustainable new communities. Features include a range of energy-saving and renewable energy-generating technologies, such as solar panels and solar water heaters, high-performance triple-glazing, super-insulated timber frames and heat exchange units.

• zero-carbon

Hot water is from solar panels (PV is optional) and houses are oriented to sun for warmth and triple insulated. Biomass boilers provide heat. Top up electricity is from 100% renewable supplier Good Energy.

• zero-waste

Organic waste is composted in a separate composting area; non-organic matter is recycled by residents at nearby point.

• sustainable water

Rainwater and rainwater run-off is collected and used for irrigation; reduced flush toilets; low flow taps and shower heads installed.

• local and sustainable building materials

Sand, gravel and lime are locally sourced, and the flagstones – and as much as possible - are reclaimed. Timber is from sustainable sources – FSC approved.

• sustainable transport

Car ports are positioned behind the houses so there is no traffic in the village itself; a car sharing scheme operates informally at present.

The five eco homes for sale at Tyler Hill, which is a pleasant hamlet around two miles from Canterbury city centre and adjacent to an ancient woodland, known as Honey Wood, have a highly thermally efficient construction (projected wall U-Values of 0.12), photovoltaic panels to supplement electrical consumption, solar collectors to supplement the hot water supply (up to 70% of the annual requirement), a Mechanical Ventilation and Heat Recovery system which not only filters incoming air from pollen, but also provides passive air conditioning in the summer, a rainwater harvesting facility to conserve water consumption, and underfloor heating.

• zero-carbon

The new build houses are built from a timber frame construction with a highly insulated SuperWall System of timber frame panels that ensures a high thermal efficiency (projected wall U-Values of 0.12). Micro generation of electricity from a renewable source is provided through photovoltaic panels with a maximum output of 3Kw, while solar collectors supplement the hot water supply. All the new build homes are fitted with a Mechanical Ventilation and Heat Recovery system, which not only filters incoming air from pollen and extracts damp stale air from the house, but it also provides passive air conditioning in the summer.

• zero-waste

Recycling programme for non-bio waste implemented with separate recycling bins installed in kitchens. Facilities for organic waste to be composted are provided along with educational/usage booklets. Building waste has been sorted and recycled where possible offsite and the developer has been careful not to over order materials in order to minimize waste.

• sustainable water

A rainwater harvesting system has been installed in each house that enables the collected rainwater rather than potable water to be used for toilet flushes and in washing machines. Used to its fullest extent, a saving of up to half of the drinking water used in an average home would be made. Dual-flush mechanisms on toilets are installed, and gravel filled sigma blocks in the driveways are installed to significantly reduce rainwater runoff.

• local and sustainable building materials

The doors, windows and sills are manufactured by specialists Mumford & Wood who specialise in producing high quality timber products from sustainable sources. The vertical sliding sash windows achieve an indicative energy rating of ‘A’, the highest standard available using BFRC energy analysis tools. The windows are filled with Argon gas for high thermal efficiency. Two of the houses are clad with Cedar, a beautiful natural timber, which is FSC accredited.

• sustainable transport

Bicycle sheds have been built and power is provided to most of the carports to facilitate electric car charging. Summer Lane itself has traffic-calming measures.

The properties blend seamlessly with the mature woodland in the grounds of the 376-acre National Trust owned Cliveden Estate, and are constructed from materials that are natural, renewable, sustainable or recyclable. Homes are equipped with low energy external lighting, dual flush toilets, bicycle storage and water butts. Residents have access to a range of recycling facilities.

• zero-carbon

Improved insulation and air tightness standards and use of energy efficient lighting and white goods have been implemented. All units except ground floor apartments have solar hot water systems and mechanical heat recovery ventilation units.

• zero-waste

A provision of recycling facilities in each household for waste has been provided and a site wide composting scheme initiated. Waste is segregated to ensure timber and hardcore is recycled. Subcontractors are required to dispose of their own waste. Large volume skips are used to reduce construction vehicle movements.

• sustainable water

Reduction in water use through specification of low volume fittings to taps and toilets has been implemented. All surface water is kept on site via deep bored soakaways in the chalk and rainwater is collected. All houses are equipped with water butts.

• local and sustainable building materials

A-rated materials from the Green Guide to Specification, including FSC sourced timber, are used. Materials from the original brownfield site and construction waste have been recycled where possible for use in the streets and substructures, including use of reclaimed crushed concrete from former hospital buildings onsite. Internal use of PVC in wiring, ducting, drainage, rainwater goods, doors, windows and cladding has been avoided. Only low volatile organic chemical fittings and finishes, and materials of low embodied energy and of low/zero ozone depleting potential have been used.

• sustainable transport

Traffic calmed areas have been created through use of different road finishes and private spaces such as mews and courtyards. Cycle storage facilities have been provided for each unit. There are regular train services from nearby Taplow and Burnham to negate the need to use motorised vehicles.