Lamborough Hill is a development of four environmentally considerate homes designed using cutting edge sustainable technologies, including ground source heat pumps, solid construction (recycled PFA blocks) with solid concrete ground and first floors (recycled PFA blocks), enhanced insulation, bespoke Scandinavian fenestration, underfloor heating to ground and first floors and low energy lighting throughout.

• zero-carbon

Ground source heat pumps and enhanced insulation renders the average carbon emission at an expected 1.25t/year (costing around £362-£414 per year), which is approximately 25% of the CO2 emissions from an average household in the UK.

• zero-waste

Recycling bins will be placed in each kitchen, and the local authority collects the waste recycling weekly. Composting bins will be supplied for organic waste.

• sustainable water

All the taps are aerated, the wc’s have dual flush mechanisms and rainwater will be harvested into water butts and used for irrigation.

• local and sustainable building materials

All timber is from sustainable forests and a chain of custody is available for inspection. Construction material is from recycled PFA blocks. The developer is a second generation family-owned and run business, who lives and has an office locally. Its directly employed craftsmen live locally and the developer endeavours to source local subcontractors.

• sustainable transport

The site is four miles south west of Oxford and has strong public transport links to Abingdon and Oxford city centre. There is a parade of local shops including a CO-OP store (selling local produce) and an independent pharmacy.

Market Quarter is a collection of 256, apartments and houses that are rated BREEAM Ecohomes ‘excellent’. Environmental features include high levels of insulation, low voltage lighting , dual flush toilets and aerated taps, external rainwater harvesting systems, and HomeZones, which provide traffic calming measures.

• zero-carbon

High levels of insulation, energy efficient heating systems, and low voltage lighting are installed. It is proposed to install a wind turbine to supplement the electricity supply to street the lighting; any surplus will be sold back to the National Grid.

• zero-waste

Recycling pods within the homes provided and communal storage area for the recycling bins for the apartments.

• sustainable water

Each home on average will use only 35 cubic metres (35,000 litres) of water per person per year achieved through dual flush toilets, aerated taps and efficient showerheads. External rainwater harvesting systems provided together with sustainable urban drainage design principles adopted for dealing with storm water.

• local and sustainable building materials

75% of the timber will be provided from sustainable sources.

• sustainable transport

The scheme is within easy walking distance of Chippenham train station and town centre. Innovative HomeZones streets, primarily designed for pedestrians and cyclists, compel drivers to reduce speed and travel carefully. Features include traffic calming shared surfaces, trees and planters, benches and play areas.

Greenfields is an exclusive development in Overton, Hampshire, where a wide range of eco-friendly features, including solar panels and rain water recycling, have been installed to help residents reduce their carbon footprint and preserve natural resources with a minimum of effort. The housebuilder has made a concerted effort to preserve the best of the countryside local to the development.

• zero-carbon

A combination of energy saving measures - low energy lighting, high efficiency boilers and passive stack ventilation - and renewable energy production - solar thermal for water heating - have been installed. Passive solar gain has been implemented through the design of ‘solar spaces’, which maximises natural light and the sun’s warmth to reduce the call on electrical lighting and heating.

• zero-waste

Extra space is provided in all houses for recycling.

• sustainable water

Water conservation is practised through aerated taps that restrict flow but maintain pressure, fitted flow retractors, low-flow showers and dual flush toilets. Rainwater harvesting and communal water butts supply water for toilets, washing machines, dishwashers, and for garden irrigation. Grey water recycling utilises used water from baths, showers and basins for toilet flushes.

• local and sustainable building materials

The lumber for the timber-framed buildings has been sourced from sustainable and well-managed forests. Sustainable, British grown western red cedar board has been used for cladding on the house exteriors. Natural oils inherent in the timber mean it does not need staining or regular maintenance, which reduces CO2 otherwise expended during upkeep.

• sustainable transport

Wooden cycle sheds have been provided at each home where there’s not a garage. Dwellings with garages are larger than standard to allow storage of cycles also. Public transport to Overton, the nearest town, is via a regular bus service. Overton has a train station. The developer has made financial contributions to the County for Cycle parking improvements, footway/footpath improvements, and for the upgrading of cycle tracks.