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.

The homes combine contemporary design, space and elegance with environmentally friendly features, including energy efficient boilers and high levels of insulation, located within a sustainable environment. The homes have been designed to achieve the highest Ecohomes rating of ‘excellent’ and to conserve valuable resources and reduce their impact on the environment.

• zero-carbon

Homes feature energy efficient condensing boilers and light fittings, predominately ‘A’ rated appliances and high levels of insulation. Solar panels on the roof of each house will generate up to 60 per cent of the households’ hot water requirements.

• zero-waste

Integrated recycling bins in the kitchens encourage residents to recycle more.

• sustainable water

Internally spray taps and dual flush toilets are a feature; externally garden water butts are provided to capture rainwater.

• local and sustainable building materials

The timber used is from FSC approved sustainable forests. Window frames are constructed from sustainable lsquo;soft’ wood not uPVC.

• sustainable transport

There is an extensive network of footpaths and cycleways that give priority to pedestrians and cyclists. There is the added bonus of three ‘walking bus’ routes around the Island to enable children to be safely accompanied on foot to the school.

David Wilson Homes’ flagship sustainable development aims to meet DCLG’s guidelines for minimisation of water usage, reduced carbon emissions and utilisation of renewable energy sources. Green initiatives include roof-mounted photovoltaic systems to generate electricity, green roofs for superior insulation, high efficiency and solar thermal panel assisted boilers, advanced combustion fireplaces and harnessing natural resources. It has achieved Ecohomes ‘Excellent’ status.

• zero-carbon

Maximising natural light ensures optimum solar power gain, via solar collectors, for heating and hot water whilst roof mounted photovoltaic systems generate electricity and eliminate 61 tonnes of CO2 pa.

• zero-waste

A segregated waste system has been introduced across the development to assist in the recycling process. Residents will be encouraged to recycle.

• sustainable water

Harnessing natural resources extends to rainwater harvested for washing cars and watering gardens with each property being provided with a 200-litre water butt for recycling rainwater.

• local and sustainable building materials

Wherever possible David Wilson Homes source their building materials and labour locally.

• sustainable transport

Traffic calming initiatives in the form of road bumps have been introduced throughout the development and only one parking space is allowed per household.