Sustainability

In this reporting period some 72% (2007 - 63%) of the homes we built achieved at least a 'Good' or better EcoHomes rating. This is greatly assisting us in developing solutions to met different levels of the Code for Sustainable Homes and BREEAM.

We are assessing an increasing number of our sites against the Code for Sustainable Homes to levels 3 and 4, and developing feasibility approaches to the higher levels for our strategic projects.

Construction site waste has increased by 11%; this is disappointing given previous year’s performance (decreased by 18%). Our overall performance is slightly above the BRE Best Practice Benchmark.

We continue to work with Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) and Recyclable Market Development (ReMaDe) to reduce our waste, to implement our Group Site Waste Management Plan and importantly to develop Industry metrics. At present there is a variety of Industry practices and indicators that makes measurement, monitoring and target setting difficult. It is hoped that in early 2009, an Industry protocol will be published.

Carbon dioxide reduction strategies continue to improve our carbon footprint. During the reporting period this has resulted in a 14.3% decrease in emissions from our company car fleet (2007: -14%). We decided not to introduce our Green Travel Plan due to this significant reduction, although we will continue to review our car policy and offer the choice of more efficient cars and alternative travel options. Our Offices have also seen a decrease in emissions of 16.4% (2007: -8%). Furthermore, we have benchmarked our water usage during the reporting period for the first time and will endeavour to reduce this resource use by 5%.

With have maintained our average SAP ratings (in line with the improvements made in 2007 performance), which compares favourably with industry benchmarks.

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 high SAP ratings is a result of us targeting EcoHomes ‘Good’ or better ratings. With the implementation of the Code for Sustainable Homes and improved levels of energy efficiency, our SAP performance will help us to achieve the challenges set out in the Building a Greener Future policy statement.

To ensure that high standards are constantly maintained at all our developments we have fully integrated our monthly environmental site audits into twice-monthly Health & Safety and Environmental visits. As part of the audits, each subsidiary company’s performance is benchmarked against specific legislative and best practice environmental criteria. During the reporting period we did not receive an environmental prosecution.

During the reporting period we have reduced the volume of paper that we procure by 31.9% per person and increased the amount of waste paper and cardboard sent for recycling from our offices by 57.5% per person.