Spring Fields is a small community of three remaining homes for sale in a development of six, incorporating contemporary design and environmentally-conscious materials and construction – particularly renewable energy, high levels of insulation and triple glazing and the extensive use of sustainable materials.

• zero-carbon

Closed-loop, ground source heat pumps provide 97% of maximum requirement for hot water and heating combined with a low-temperature underfloor system, triple glazing, factory-produced and fitted construction panels and insulation for improved air-tightness and a concrete slab to provide thermal mass.

• zero-waste

Hardcore materials from demolition are re-used on site; wood, metal, soil sorted for recycling; factory production helps reduce waste. Extensive storage areas on site reduce the number of deliveries required. Kitchens are fitted with recycling bins.

• sustainable water

All hard landscaping is permeable with rainwater ducted to a sustainable drainage system including roof run-off, providing an enhanced habitat for newts. Reduced-flush mechanisms and water-saving basin taps are fitted as standard. Grey water recycling is being investigated.

• local and sustainable building materials

Factory production is within one hour of site; local suppliers are actively sought for finishing materials. The timber used in construction is from Scandinavian sustainable sources. Only local sub-contractors are invited to tender.

• sustainable transport

Bicycle storage is provided on site. A general store, regular bus stop and cinema are within walking distance. Garages include electricity supply for hybrid vehicles. The access road width varies to reduce vehicle speed and maximise soft landscaping.

The development will transform a 264-acre brownfield site, creating a dynamic new community for Dartford. All homes will achieve a ‘good’ EcoHomes Rating. Successful features from the EcoVillage will be extended to other homes across the development. Of 1,500 new homes, 1,134 of them built by George Wimpey, designed by Broadway Malyan architects in collaboration with Wayne and Gerardine Hemingway.

• zero-carbon

The development includes an EcoVillage of approximately 50 homes that will be built to the EcoHomes ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’ standards. It will be used to test a range of innovative sustainability features including solar power and rainwater recycling.

• zero-waste

The waste and recycling strategy incorporates local segregated waste storage in communal landscaped enclosures, within a short walk (30m maximum) from each home. This is a first for the area, with an aim to encourage a recycling culture from day one. The recycling initiative includes separate capacity for green waste, to act as an exemplar for the local authority.

• sustainable water

Rainwater recycling will be tested in the EcoVillage with successful features extended to the rest of the development.

• local and sustainable building materials

Materials have been selected where possible to be A-rated from the BRE’s Green Guide to Housing Specification, which contains typical wall, roof, floor and other constructions listed against an environmental rating scale running from A (good) to C (poor).

• sustainable transport

A new, purpose-built free to residents transit system – Fastrack – that runs on dedicated roads every eight minutes travels to Dartford town centre, Bluewater, Ebbsfleet and local amenities. Cycling and walking will be encouraged with the provision of homezones. A car club will be offered to residents and a delivery service from the shops in the district centre.

The Village, Telford Millennium Community (TMC), is a joint partnership between regeneration agency English Partnerships, Telford & Wrekin Council, developer Bryant Homes and social landlord Beth Johnson Housing Group, which will ultimately bring approximately 750 contemporary new homes to Ketley. Properties at The Village will reduce metered energy consumption and mains water consumption by 20%, and improve on daylighting and noise proofing by 10%. Increased circulation areas created by roomier living spaces, high insulation levels and low energy heating systems contribute to the homes being eco-friendly, and should see much reduced energy bills for residents. There are schemes in place at the development to encourage greener modes of transport.

• zero-carbon

High insulation levels and low energy heating systems contribute to a planned 20% reduced metered energy consumption in the homes. SAP ratings show an average energy efficiency and environmental impact CO2 rating of B is being achieved in the properties, putting them in the top 1% of all homes in England and Wales. Annual CO2 emissions amount to 1.1 tonnes (the UK average is 6 tonnes per household), and estimated lighting, heating and hot water cost is around £250, which is less than half the UK domestic average of £600.

• zero-waste

Each household will have the facility to split recyclable waste in the kitchens and there will be communal underground storage bins in the school square that are designed to collect recyclable waste currently not collected under the standard Borough of Telford and Wrekin refuse system (three wheelie bins for household waste, garden waste and dry recyclables). The net level of waste disposed is planned to be 50 per cent per home. Most construction wastes are segregated on site, and the aim is to reduce average construction waste to 25 cubic metres per home. Plans are in place to provide and implement a community waste strategy, which will encourage the better management of domestic waste.

• sustainable water

The aim is to reduce the amount of water consumed in the homes by 20 per cent to 137 litres per person, per day. The water saving devices installed include dual flush wcs, low flow showers and spray taps. External water butts to collect rainwater have been installed in all houses. A Sustainable Urban Drainage (SUDS) system has been implemented with porous paving and drainage, as well as soakaways, reed beds and swales.

• local and sustainable building materials

Construction materials, such as timber windows, wooden cladding, steel downpiping and flashings and concrete roof tiles, have been chosen for their green properties. All timber used onsite is wood from sustainable local forestry and/or from FSC accredited sources. Cement replacement materials have been used in concrete mixes to reduced embodied CO2, and secondary (recycled) aggregates in low-grade concrete mixes and/or vibro-stone column founds.

• sustainable transport

Plans have been initiated to restrain use of the car by providing only minimum level of parking necessary to satisfy commercial needs. New bus shelters on and close to the site and new cycle routes on and off-site are being provided. Walking, cycling, and use of public transport or car sharing is being encouraged by enabling as many needs of residents and employees to be satisfied by a wide range of easily connected facilities, such as specific safe route to school measures, traffic calming, cycle purchase discount scheme for new TMC residents and car sharing initiatives.