Sustainable living: the best eco-friendly homes for sale in the UK
Discover the new-build homes leading the way in sustainable, energy-efficient and luxurious living
With climate change high on the agenda, more of us are considering our personal impact on the environment when it comes to our choice of property. Opting for an energy-efficient property can reap other benefits too, including lower energy bills in a time when prices are often volatile and on the rise.
This desire for energy efficiency is a key factor in swaying buyers towards new builds, with developers leading the way in properties with high Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings achieved through incorporating the latest eco-friendly technologies. Here we take a look at some of the best from across the UK.
Carpenters Yard, High Rd, Thornwood, Epping, CM16 (pictured above)
Lower running costs are one of the key benefits of choosing a sustainable home. This collection of 113 homes in leafy Thornwood, on the London/Essex border, goes a step further. In partnership with Octopus Energy, the properties guarantee zero energy bills through a community microgrid system, thanks to market-leading fabric efficiency, passive design and rooftop photovoltaic panels that allows the development and homes to generate more energy on an annual basis than they consume. It's just one of many features of this development by GS8, a market leader in creating planet-positive neighbourhoods. Their homes are typically 10-to-15 times more airtight than a standard new build and sequester more carbon than they create over their lifetime without offsetting. GS8’s focus on regenerative development means that an emphasis is placed on improving the health and wellbeing of both people and the planet, creating a connected community immersed in nature.
Coming soon, contact londonnewhomes@knightfrank.com for further information
King's Water, Ashton Keynes, Cirencester, SN6
Surrounded by open fields and within walking distance of the historic Cotswold village of Ashton Keynes you’ll find King’s Water. This collection of 75 homes by Bewley Homes sits amidst two private lakes, conceived with the utmost care to both protect and enhance the incredible wildlife of the area. This has resulted in an impressive 18% net gain in biodiversity habitats, creating a thriving haven for badgers, owls, bats and more. Those who prize sustainability will also delight in the environmentally-friendly features incorporated throughout the homes themselves, from the air source heat pump system to photovoltaic (PV) panels and electric vehicle (EV) charging points.
Capella, King's Cross, London, N1C
King’s Cross once served as a crucial distribution centre for the coal that powered Victorian London. Today, its focus could not be more different. It’s not only been transformed into a vibrant and dynamic place to live, work and visit, but also a neighbourhood that places sustainability at its heart, with the estate becoming carbon neutral in 2021. This includes incorporating the latest innovations into its buildings to minimise environmental impact and reduce running costs, combined with 26 acres of open spaces to help create a healthier environment for all. Capella is the last residential building in the King’s Cross masterplan, offering a stylish, modern and eco-friendly way to experience the very best of city-centre living.
Hayfield Heights, Off Ashmead Drive, Gotherington, Gloucestershire, GL52
At Hayfield Heights, a new exclusive development by Hayfield in Cotswolds, an EPC A rating comes as standard. This means that the average property here emits just 0.4 tonnes of carbon per year - 90% less than a typical existing home, and 59% than an average new build home. This is achieved through numerous features that will not only minimise the impact on the environment, but cut down on energy bills too. These include insulation to both minimise heat loss and enhance soundproofing, low-energy LED lighting throughout, solar (PV) panels and water-saving measures.
Malabar, Staverton Road, Daventry, NN11
Spitfire Homes is renowned for its sustainable approach, and this new development of 50 homes on the rural edge of Daventry in the Midlands is no exception. Each has been designed to meet Zero Carbon Ready standards, ensuring energy-efficient and future-proofed living. All properties will be equipped with air source heat pumps, solar PV panels, underfloor heating and EV charging points. Meanwhile this new community will take in 50 acres of open space, alongside plans to incorporate a new school, nursery, and food and shopping outlets, ensuring everything you need is on your doorstep.
Manor Court, Market Lane, Greet, Gloucestershire, GL54
This collection of six four- and five-bedroom houses is nestled in the charming Gloucestershire village of Greet. Here the developer Acorn Property Group’s commitment to sustainability extends to its thoughtful approach to harmonising with the beautiful surrounding countryside, from carefully considered landscaping to preserving biodiversity through hedgehog corridors and bird and bat boxes. The EPC A-rated properties surpass environmental standards, insulated and triple-glazed to prevent heat loss and harnessing solar PV panels and heat pumps to create efficiently run and comfortable homes.
