Environment

We have a good track record in environmental practice and comply, as a minimum, with all relevant environmental legislation and development related codes of practice. Indeed, where appropriate and financially viable, we are improving on the specified performance standards.

We ensure that sustainability is integrated into our working practices by using BREEAM/EcoHomes, as well as the Building Research Establishment’s (BRE) Green Guide. Developments are rated on the basis of Pass, through to Good, Very Good and Excellent.

• During the reporting period all our homes were assessed against BREEAM/EcoHomes and the Green Guide, in advance of the impending Code for Sustainable Homes (which is based on the aforementioned). Some 55% of our homes will achieve at least a ‘Good’ or better EcoHomes rating.
• Countryside Properties participates in the BRE EcoHomes Steering Group to assist in its future development, as well as its increasing use by other developers.

The energy efficiency of the Group’s new homes is demonstrated to our customers by displaying Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) rating notices in all our homes. Our average SAP ratings show a 4% reduction on 2005 performance, however this still compares favourably with industry benchmarks.

To ensure that high standards are constantly maintained at all our developments we carry out monthly environmental site audits. As part of the audits, each subsidiary company’s performance is benchmarked against specific legislative and best practice environmental criteria. In 2006 100% (2005 - 100%) of our developments achieved our 80% benchmark.

Moreover, all our sites are registered under the Considerate Constructor Scheme (CCS). Audit scores are 6% (9% in 2005) above industry averages and in recognition of this, in 2006, we received Considerate Constructor Awards at: South Quarter2, Peckham, London; Royal Victoria Park, Bristol and at Goulding Court, Haringey, London. We aim to maintain this standard.

During the reporting period construction site waste has increased marginally, due to a limited number of poorly performing projects. However the Group's overall performance is comparable with the BRE Best Practice benchmark.

We are also progressing the following initiatives:

• Carbon dioxide reduction strategies continue to improve our carbon footprint. During the reporting period this has resulted in a 13% decrease in emissions from our company car fleet (2005: 10%). Head Office and our Northern office performance have also seen a decrease in emissions of 9%. In addition, in 2007, we are looking to introduce a Green Travel Plan and we will continue to review our car policy and offer the choice of more efficient cars and alternative travel options.
• Improved working practices have lead to an improvement in the amount of waste paper sent for recycling from our offices to 33.8 tonnes per month (16 tonnes in 2005).

 

We are continuously evaluating where added value is being delivered most effectively and in 2006 we saved £2.53 million through sustainability and supply chain improvements and a further £1.47 million in 2005.

The Group’s wholehearted commitment to sustainability is communicated to our employees through our intranet, staff magazine, monthly email newsletter and induction days. In addition to this Report, communication with our stakeholders and in particular with our customers is achieved through our websites, sales and marketing literature, displays in our show homes and marketing suites, as well as through customer handover and completion packs. Continuous improvement is monitored by the Group’s Managing Directors Advisory Group and the Board.