Climate change

The charts below illustrate how the Group is ensuring all new-build properties are now developed to EPC C, or above, to minimise climate impact and maximise energy efficiency for our customers. The Group has set a target of ensuring all homes have a minimum EPC band C by 2030 to help reduce our carbon footprint and fuel poverty.

Flood risk

As part of our pre-planning design process, we produce Flood Risk Assessments (FRA) for all our developments. The FRA prescribes minimum finished floor levels and enhanced mitigation measures such as resilient construction, raised height electrical outlets and flood barriers on a scheme specific basis. These requirements are calculated based on existing ground levels, Environment Agency (EA) flood maps and historic flooding information. Local sources of flooding, overland flows, groundwater levels and breach modelling are also considered, incorporating consultation with the EA, Internal Drainage Board and Lead Local Flood Authority. FRAs are often combined with the scheme drainage strategy to ensure designed run-offs are in accordance with local restrictions and that the development doesn’t increase the risk of flooding to surrounding properties or infrastructure. Generally, where infiltration isn’t viable, schemes incorporate several methods of onsite surface water attenuation to minimise run-off into existing watercourses or drainage systems. These attenuation systems include oversized storage pipes, ponds, swales and permeable paving.

Homes overheating

The overarching goal of Building Regulations Approved Document O is to encourage the design and construction of buildings that limit unwanted solar gain during the summer months and provide occupants with adequate means of removing excess heat from indoor environments. There are two methods of calculating overheating. One is simplified and the other more complex, depending on the case. We’ve modelled our standard house types under Part O criteria and made the following changes to the standard designs as a result:

• Smaller windows on south facing elevations to prevent solar gain overheating.
• Larger windows on non-south facing elevations.
• Additional opening lights within windows to allow more natural ‘purge’ ventilation.
• The incorporation of mechanical ventilation to dwellings with ground floor bedrooms, where Approved Document O requires no opening windows or security shutters.
• Fabric first solutions for insulation, doors and windows.

NHBC, Premier Guarantee and LABC produce guides that provide guidance for customers on running in their homes. This includes how to run the heating and ventilate the property to aid the drying out process and minimise the risk of condensation, damp and mould. Handover guides are also provided for all customers, including information on how to run and control their heating systems.

Where innovative systems are incorporated into our schemes, we organise training days for our colleagues and customers to help them understand how the systems work and how they should be operated to run efficiently. For example, the first handovers at our California Road development in Huntingdon have ground source heat pumps installed.

We’re currently in the process of relaunching our Home User Guides, which will incorporate scheme specific information on ventilation, heating and local recycling.