Maggie Walsh takes the temperature on one Surrey development scheme.
As the world warms, savvy housebuilders have their eye on the future.
The future has already arrived in Hackbridge in the borough of Sutton, where London melts gently into Surrey.
In the unassuming suburb of Hackbridge, you will find the UK’s first large-scale, mixed-use eco-village.
The UK's first major sustainable community
Created in 2002, the Beddington Zero Energy Development has attracted thousands of eco-conscious visitors down the years, inspiring low-carbon, environmentally friendly schemes.
And yet, for all the admiring glances, ‘BedZED’ remains a treasure hidden from the public.
Its virtues are many. Utility costs for residents of the 100 homes are a fraction of the price their neighbours pay – 68% less than an average London home for heating and 45% less for water, according to the most recent (2015) stats.
This is thanks to a design that incorporates high insulation levels, solar heating and a biomass boiler to generate electricity and heat for the site.
In addition, wind cowls on the roofs circulate fresh and warm air into the homes, along with a water management programme for toilet flushing and irrigation of the adjacent allotments.
One resident to benefit from all this is Sue Riddlestone OBE, co-founder and chief executive of sustainability charity Bioregional. With architect Bill Dunster and housing association, the Peabody Trust, she brought the pioneering project to fruition.
For residents of the 100 homes, utility costs are a fraction of the price their neighbours pay:
68% less than an average London home for heating and 45% less for water, according to the most recent (2015) stats.
“We were looking for land on which to build a new, sustainable office when the BedZED site became available,” she explains. “It was so large we thought: ‘Why not build homes too?’
“This is the best place I’ve ever lived."
It makes it easy for residents to live a one-planet life. The homes are well insulated; we swap food, clothes and stuff with each other to reduce consumption, bike space, and a car club.”
Outside green roofs provide a haven for wildlife, and cars are parked away from the properties, enabling children to play safely and neighbours to stop for a chat. It’s a hub where homes rarely come to market – either rental or sale – and prices are high when they do: a two-bedder recently changed hands for £360,000.
“We were looking for land on which to build a new, sustainable office when the BedZED site became available,” she explains. “It was so large we thought: ‘Why not build homes too?’
“On average, people here know 20 of their neighbours by name. In nearby streets, that figure falls to eight,” enthuses Sue.
And while BedZED has had operational and maintenance setbacks over the years, it has proved that sustainable homes are feasible.
Eco-credentials are right up there with good schools and transport links for high-end buyers, too, says bespoke buying agent Richard Winter, who focuses his searches for private clients on Cobham, Weybridge, and Esher.
“On average, people here know 20 of their neighbours by name. In nearby streets that figure falls to eight,” enthuses Sue.
Currently managing the purchase of a Surrey property with a Tesla battery system that stores solar power from the roof to run the whole house, he believes the rising energy cost is at the forefront of most buyers’ minds.
“Running a mansion costs a fortune these days. However, if you can buy a big house where energy is virtually free, that’s a very big saving indeed,” he reflects.
And, of course, there is the desire to do the right things. As the climate crisis continues to make headlines, developers and housebuilders have more reason than ever to make BedZED the blueprint for tomorrow.
