The Residence at the award-winning Gwel an Mor resort in Portreath

Combining leading-edge sustainable design, a boost to the Cornish economy and a shared ownership model which makes 5-star living more affordable, The Residence at the award-winning Gwel an Mor resort in Portreath is an exciting new development designed in harmony with its own and the wider environment.

Green: Each retreat uses timber from sustainable forests, provides hot water courtesy of a heat pump and is fully insulated, delivering energy efficiency to Government code level 4 – 44% better than 2006 BRE (Building Research Establishment) requirements. By swapping flights abroad for holidaying in the UK, owners will also be reducing their carbon footprint.

Affordable luxury: Hot tubs, plush furnishings, scenic views of rugged Cornwall, plus the trappings of a hotel – food delivered from Gwel an Mor’s exclusive restaurant and everything cleaned and ready for your arrival – made affordable thanks to the shared ownership model, where up to 12 people own a piece of the freehold title.

Boosting the local economy: Cornwall has two problems: one that its reliance on tourism leaves its economy struggling in the winter months and two, that a high proportion of housing stock, as much as 60%*, are second homes, and this bumps up prices for locals. The Residence combats both of these issues, employing local staff year-round and providing plenty for guests to do when the sun’s not shining, while delivering an affordable solution for people looking for a second home and one that doesn’t affect local housing.

Year-round destination: With a wood burner to keep warm, a club house with swimming pool, spa and gym, a farm and The Terrace restaurant, The Residence offers something at any time of the year. Soon owners will also be able to enjoy tennis courts, 9-hole golf, fishing lakes, a rock climbing wall, indoor children’s and teenagers entertainment centre, event venue and equestrian school.

Investment opportunity: This is not a timeshare, buying into The Residence means actually owning a slice of prime Cornish real estate which owners are free to sell, transfer or bequeath at anytime.

*Office of National Statistics

For more information, go online at: www.ecoholidaylodges.com

A technician fitting solar panels

Most of us know about the environmental and energy saving benefits of renewable technology and we’ve heard there are grants available to homeowners to help fund their installation, but how can be we be sure that ‘green’ improvements will be carried out safely? Cathryn Hickey, from the National Skills Academy for Environmental Technologies, provides tips on how to pick the right installer.

“With a range of incentives to heat and light your home without fossil fuels – the Renewable Heat Premium Payment (RHPP) for off-gas homeowners, Feed in Tariffs (FiTs) giving cash-back for green electricity and the soon to be introduced Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) – now is the time to consider technologies such as solar thermal, heat pumps or micro-wind turbines.

“As with all home improvements, it can be a time-consuming and head-scratching task to select a reputable and reliable tradesperson that you can be confident will treat you with respect, recommend the appropriate products for your property and carry out the job efficiently to ensure your safety and wellbeing.

“A key consideration is that, to access any of the Government grants and payback schemes, you must select an installer and equipment that has been Microgeneration Scheme (MCS) accredited. Its website, www.microgenerationcertification.org, is an ideal place to start your search as it contains a wealth of information on relevant products as a well as a list of approved and accredited installers throughout the UK.

“Look out for the Real Assurance Scheme logo. This scheme has been set up by the Renewable Energy Association to ensure consumers looking to buy or lease renewables in their home have a good experience. Members of the scheme have to adhere to a code of practice and be MCS accredited. More information about Real Assurance, plus details of installers in your area can be found on the website: www.realassurance.org.uk.

“The Energy Savings Trust, www.energysavingtrust.org.uk, is another source of valuable information with details of grants, tips on saving energy and recommended products – you can apply for the RHPP here too.

“To make sure the trades people you choose for any job around the home are reputable, visit Trustmark, www.trustmark.org.uk, a not-for-profit organisation, licensed by Government, to maintain standards and prevent rogue traders. Trustmark-registered workers will have met the scheme’s stringent criteria giving end-users peace of mind. Through the website you can find tips to spot a good tradesperson, plus search for Trustmarked businesses in your area.

“Going down the renewables route will save you pounds on your fuel bills if they’re installed correctly; badly fitted equipment won’t meet energy efficiency claims and may even be dangerous, plus without an MCS accredited installer, government funding won’t be accessible.”

The National Skills Academy for Environmental Technologies (www.nsaet.org.uk) delivers government approved, MCS-recognised training for renewable installers, as well as a qualification in understanding the principles of low carbon equipment for anyone interested in making a move to greener alternatives, such as homeowners, house builders and specifiers.

Cathryn Hickey, from the National Skills Academy for Environmental Technologies

Cathryn Hickey, from the National Skills Academy for Environmental Technologies, explains the steps we can take to make a dent in household expenses while doing our bit to cut carbon.

“There’s never been a better time to ‘go green’, with cash-back incentives from government meaning homeowners that choose renewables can save pounds on their fuel bills and even make money in some instances.

“As fuel prices rise and the planet heats up, now is the time to consider the alternative, renewable, options that are available. Apart from saving you money on your utility bills, these ‘environmental technologies’ offer a financially appealing proposition, with cash back from government through Feed in Tariffs (FiTs) for electricity generating equipment, such as solar photovoltaics and the soon to be introduced Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) for heat producing ones, including solar thermal and wood biomass.

“Through these schemes, payments are given out over a 20-year period, with the cost of the equipment covered in about five to ten years and a return on investment of up to 12 per cent – much better than putting your money in a savings account. If your property makes more energy than you require, this can be sold back to the national grid or heat network, further increasing the money-making potential.

Solar PV house. Light from the sun is collected in panels on the roof and turned into power

“FiTs has been going since last year and the RHI is already in place for businesses and will be introduced properly for homes from October 2012. Interested domestic customers can take advantage of the RHI now through the Premium Payment, where the government provides money towards the cost of the equipment in exchange for information about how it works and the savings being made.

“These same homeowners will then be put on the RHI’s payback scheme when it launches in the autumn. More information about the RHI and FiTs can be found on the Energy Saving Trust’s website: www.energysavingtrust.org.uk.”

The main contenders

For electricity generation, the most popular choice is solar photovoltaics (PV) and for heating and hot water the main contenders are solar thermal, heat pumps and wood biomass. Each technology has its pros and cons:

• Solar PV: This works best in the south of the country and it is very important that the roof is not shaded. A back-up electricity supply will be required in the winter months.
• Solar thermal: Warmth from the sun is collected in panels with this method and used to heat water. Like PV this is not a year-round solution and a gas boiler, electric heater or alternate renewable solution is needed.
• Heat pumps: Either buried in the ground – extracting heat from the earth, or attached to an outside wall – taking warmth from the air, heat pumps act like a refrigerator in reverse and can provide heating and hot water even on the coldest of days. Smaller homes are more suited to an air source heat pump, as the ground source version requires a considerable area of outside space.
• Wood biomass: Heating and hot water is supplied through a wood burning boiler, which runs on logs, wood chips or pellets. This is an ideal solution for rural properties which may have access to managed woodland and the space to store the boiler and associated equipment.

“Next year, the Green Deal is being introduced. This is a loan scheme for energy efficiency measures, including renewable systems, where homeowners will pay for the equipment through their utility bills. This can be combined with the RHI and FiTs, making renewables an even more attractive proposition. To access these schemes householders must choose an installer and equipment that have been Microgeneration Scheme (MCS) accredited.”

The National Skills Academy for Environmental Technologies (www.nsaet.org.uk) delivers government-approved training for renewable installers, as well as a qualification in understanding the principles of low carbon equipment for anyone interested in making a move to greener alternatives, such as house builders.

With Port of Entry status, duty and tax-free fuel, on-site customs and immigration, full provisioning and 24-hour security and Yacht Assist service, premium residences and exciting retail offer, Porto Montenegro is the most comprehensive and welcoming marina in the Adriatic.

Restaurants, a delicatessen and boutiques are built and already opened. The first residential block of four-storey high apartments, called Tetua, has been constructed – and sold out – with three further residences in development.

Porto Montenegro has committed to regard BREEAM certification, which is the most rigorous environmental certification methodology for buildings and communities globally, for all future new buildings

The fifth residential unit, Tara, has just been released for sale. The 45 studios, one to four-bedroom apartments and duplex penthouses with grand entertaining spaces, private rooftop pools and expansive views of the marina, range from €350,000 for a studio to a multi-million four-bedroom penthouse with roof top deck private pool.

Sustainability plays an important role in the resort’s development plans. The remediation of the former naval base has seen 18 rusting ships and submarines removed from the water. Subsequently, fish have returned to the area. Timber used in construction is either locally sourced or recycled, aerated tap nozzles reduce water flow by 30 per cent, and high levels of thermal insulation are used in the apartment walls.

Oliver Corlette, managing director of Porto Montenegro, said: “Porto Montenegro is transforming a broken down military base into a luxurious marina and nautical village. We are determined to integrate good environmental practices into all stages of our development and are thrilled to join Sustain Worldwide. We look forward to partnering with other open-minded and sustainable developments across the globe.”

Sustainable homes

Sustain Worldwide CEO Anwar Harland-Khan, said: “Porto Montenegro is a great example of a resort where the high net worth marina investors and residents demand high environmental standards of the developers. They, in turn, are committed to meeting and even exceeding those levels. It’s a virtuous circle where everyone and everything benefits. Sustainable luxury is the future of all residential resort developments globally, which Porto Montengro and a rapidly increasing number of high quality resort and community developers are coming to recognise.”

Sustain Worldwide’s members, who have committed to develop sustainably and in consideration of their impact on the environment and local communities, are creating sustainable homes that are amongst the finest to be found in today’s property market. Set in outstanding locations in Spain, France, Portugal, Greece, Morocco, Brazil and Kenya, the properties are priced from as little as £175,000 to several million.

For more information about Sustain Worldwide and its members’ luxury sustainable homes, resorts and communities, visit www.sustainworldwide.com or call +44 (0)20 7754 5557

For more information about Porto Montenegro, go on-line at www.portomontenegro.com

The National Homebuilding & Renovating Show is returning to the NEC, Birmingham from 24-27 March

Britain’s biggest self-build and renovation event, The National Homebuilding & Renovating Show is returning to the NEC, Birmingham (24-27 March 2011) with new ways to educate and inspire visitors wanting to build their future. This year’s show is even bigger and more interactive, with a whole host of new and innovative design ideas, practical workshops and hands-on demonstrations and over 100 new exhibitors, all bringing the latest in home building and renovating products and services.

It is also a chance for visitors to meet over 500 of the UK’s leading self-build and renovation companies, see 1000’s of new products and services and attend one of the 64 free seminars or 48 specialist masterclasses, offering a fantastic opportunity to enjoy advice from the country’s leading experts. For visitors requiring more specialist advice, there are 48 free masterclass programmes to address your specific problems and issues. Presented by leading exhibitors, these classes offer a great opportunity to talk one-on-one with the leading companies in the industry.

In collaboration with The National Homebuilding & Renovating Show, www.homesandtravel.co.uk has 30 double tickets to give away. Each double ticket is worth £28. To apply, e-mail: stewartandersen@homesandtravel.co.uk giving your name and address. The first 30 entries received will be sent a double ticket.

TEN WAYS TO SAVE MONEY IN YOUR HOME

The National Homebuilding & Renovating Show spokesperson, Jason Orme believes that with spiralling utility bills and the recent increase in VAT, installing energy efficient systems to your new build or renovation can make an immediate and significant difference to your energy bills.

“With energy and fuel prices expected to increase by around nine per cent in 2011, self-builders are becoming increasingly aware that improving energy efficiency and investing in renewable energies in the home will save them money now and in the future.

“As well as making a saving on your home energy bill, installing renewable energy saving technologies in the home can add up to approximately five per cent to the retail value of a home.

“There are a number of ways in which a house can be brought up to average green standards including installing solar panels, heat pumps, under floor heating, biomass fuel and recycling water. However, self-builders and renovators must understand that the job does not end with installing solar panels, and heat pumps. It’s about consuming less energy as well as generating your own, the house must be highly insulated and have low energy appliances and lighting.”

Jason explains ten ways to make your home greener and make both short and long term savings:

1. Insulation

Insulating your home is about the most eco effective thing you can do. Almost half of heat loss in a home is through the walls. Self-builders and renovators can save up to £145 a year on energy bills with effective roof, floor and wall insulation. Good and effective insulation keeps heat from escaping while still allowing the house to breathe and can cut your CO2 omissions. For those renovating their existing home, houses in the UK from the 1920s on were built with a cavity – a gap between two bricks. With up to 33 per cent of the heat produced in your home lost through your walls, cavity wall insulation is something to consider with costs as low as £250.

2. Solar heating

30 per cent of the average household heating bill is spent on heating water.  Installing solar energy can make you a saving of around £65 per year on your energy bill. Solar panels are a great source of heating and use of the sun to heat water. Installation costs between £3,000 – £5,000. Once installed there is little maintenance required – just an annual service to ensure the controls and glycol levels are sufficient. To get the most out of your panels the ideal orientation is due south at an angle of 30-45 degrees, and failing that, a west-facing panel is preferred over east. Each solar system will deliver a different amount of energy but on average panel can deliver up to 1kW.

3. Water recycling

Water recycling methods can save between 30-50 per cent of a home’s water requirements

There are two types of water recycling methods: greywater recycling systems and rainwater harvesting. Greywater recycling systems can cost up to £3,000 and rainwater harvesting systems from £1,800. Greywater recycling collects used water from showers, baths and washbasins and once treated can be used for purposes that do not require drinking-water quality – such as flushing toilets and watering gardens. Rainwater harvesting gathers rainwater from the roof and can be used again for purposes that do not require drinking-water quality.

4. Heat pumps

Though actual savings figures will depend on your exact fuel prices, self-builders can expect to save an average of £250 a year on their energy bill by using heat pumps. Their popularity has increased in the last few years as the cost of heating oil and liquid petroleum have increased hugely. A typical 8kW heat pump can cost between £5,000 – £6,000. How do they work? A heat pump is a device that moves heat from one place to another. They work by extracting heat from the outside air and transferring that energy into a smaller volume of water at higher temperatures inside the house. Their efficiency is measured by the coefficient of performance (CoP). This is the ratio of units of heat output for each unit of electricity used.

5. Biomass

Five years ago fuel oil was less than 20p per litre. It is now more than 63p — a rise of 175 per cent. Using biomass fuel can be cheaper. A standalone stove can cost around £5,800 and fuel can cost as little as £35 per tonne of logs bought locally. Using a biomass system can improve your CO2 emissions by up to 9.5 tonnes per year compared to a solid coal fired system or electric storage heating. Biomass is a carbon neutral fuel burning plant material, the CO2 it emits when burnt is the same amount as when it grew therefore the effect to the planet is neutral.

6. Eco lighting

Energy saving light bulbs can last up to 10 times longer than ordinary bulbs.  They cost as little as £3 and can save you up to £40 per year. High wattage lighting is soon to be a thing of the past and is slowly being phased out. 100w and 60w lamps are no longer available as of last year because they are considered to be a waste of electricity. Lighting that is more energy efficient is being promoted such as LEDs and low-voltage lighting.

7. Boilers

Installing the right boiler will also make significant savings; The Energy Savings Trust estimates this to be up to £200 per year for the equivalent of 1.7 tonnes of carbon dioxide. Prices start from around £400 for a condensing boiler (not including installation) and self-builders can choose from gas, electric or oil fired.

8. Secondary glazing

Renovating period or listed homes can be challenging as regulations will only allow you to make certain changes. Sash windows in period homes have gaps and can be draughty and in some cases they cannot be replaced but their energy efficiency can be improved. Installing a secondary glazing system which can be fitted easily to the window frame is a great way to keep energy from escaping your home. A whole house costs as little as £700 with savings of around 40 per cent to your energy bill each year.

Underfloor heating works from the ground up, making your body feel warm without being aware the area is heated and eliminating drafts.

9. Underfloor heating

Running costs for underfloor heating tend to be between 10-30 per cent cheaper than a radiator based system. The reason is that the emitter (the floor) has a larger surface area then the standard radiator, and it requires the water to be heated to a lower temperature. Installing underfloor heating can cost around £2,000 more than conventional radiators. However, many self-builders lay the piping themselves which helps to keep the cost down. Radiators circulate heat around the room and the air movement can create drafts.

10. Green finishes

Natural finishes are the next step in continuing the eco theme throughout the home. There is little point in installing eco friendly and efficient systems and contradicting your good work by using conventional paints high in toxins and chemicals. Natural or organic paints are non-toxic and are made from natural ingredients such as water, vegetable oils, plant dyes and natural minerals. Conventional paints are based on solvents containing VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that are emitted when the solvent evaporates. This has been linked to health problems such as allergies and respiratory problems. Eco paints are non-toxic are considered ‘low-VOC’ and are therefore a good eco alternative. A 5lt tin of eco paint will cost around £35.  Although this may be around £10 more than conventional paints, eco paints will only require one coat where conventional paints will require two.

For more information on a greener approach to building, The Eco Home Show at The National Homebuilding & Renovating Show has hundreds of the latest eco-friendly products and developments.

Visitors will also be able to explore The Low Energy House by Oakwrights for the first time. The 130 square metre, full sized oak frame house will showcase the latest energy efficient building materials while still capturing the feeling of a traditional oak framed structure.

Finally, meet representatives from the AECB which is a network of individuals and companies with a common aim of promoting sustainable building. It brings together builders, architects, designers, manufacturers, housing associations and local authorities, to develop, share and promote best practice in environmentally sustainable building.

For more information and tickets, visit www.homebuildingshow.co.uk or call the ticket hotline on 0844 581 1377. Tickets are £10 in advance or £14 on the door (children under 16 go free).

Homebuilding & Renovating Shows for 2011

NATIONAL – The NEC, Birmingham, 24 – 27 March 2011

SCOTLAND – SECC, Glasgow, 21 – 22 May 2011

SURREY- Sandown Park, 25 – 26 June 2011

HARROGATE – Harrogate International Centre, 4-6 November 2011

SOMERSET – Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallett, 19 – 20 November 2011

PGA Catalunya, near Girona on Spain’s Costa Brava

In a week when the British government has confirmed that by 2015 up to 100,000 Green Deal workers could be employed in the effort to upgrade Britain’s homes, the Sustain Worldwide Luxury Collection has been launched with a bespoke online campaign at www.telegraph.co.uk.

The initiative provides the public with a reputable outlet for them to discover more about sustainable luxury homes, resorts and communities, places where they might wish to buy a permanent home, a holiday retreat or an investment property.

Premium buyers

The Sustain Worldwide Luxury Collection introduces an exclusive selection of the world’s leading sustainable properties. These beautifully designed homes are amongst the finest to be found in today’s property market, set in outstanding locations, including Spain, France, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Morocco, Kenya, and the UK… and without costing the premium buyers might expect for such high quality real estate.

Anwar Harland-Khan, CEO of Sustain Worldwide, an invitation-only membership organisation whose member developers’ properties comprise The Sustain Worldwide Luxury Collection, said: “Sustainable properties are all about better living. They are built with care and attention to detail, which means the construction and finish quality tend to be far superior to conventional houses, and consequently rental yield and capital appreciation are higher. Ultimately, sustainable design and build represents the future of global property.”

Professional members

L’Amandier, a boutique resort in Morocco’s Atlas Mountains

Sustain Worldwide’s members include developers AlmaVerde Village & Spa, Dolphin Capital Partners, Elements Club, MGM, MHK International, Medina Palms, PGA Catalunya, Pafilia, Qualta Resorts and Six Senses Resorts & Spas. Its professional members comprise landscape architects RSA, architects RHE and brand and marketing agency Proven Thought, following the organisation’s launch on 6 September 2010.

Harland-Khan said: “The weight behind Sustain Worldwide is considerable. The members’ properties have a combined real estate retail sales value in excess of £3.5 billion. Green jobs that will be created during the construction and throughout the operation of their resorts and communities equates to approximately 35,000 people – which adds to the 100,000 jobs the UK Government’s Green Deal promises. Additionally, the members’ properties, once built, will save more than 4,050 tonnes of CO2 annually.

The Sustain Worldwide Luxury Collection can be viewed at: http://telegraph.co.uk/sustainworldwide

For more information about Sustain Worldwide, visit www.SustainWorldwide.com

New ski apartments for sale in a residence de tourisme described by developer MGM as ‘state-of-the-art in terms of sustainability and fuel economy’ are to be built at Flaine in Haute-Savoie region of the French Alps.

MGM, which has signed-up to the principles of HQE (Haute Qualité Environmental) – the international construction industry’s high environmental quality standard which aims to integrate the principles of sustainable development defined at the 1992 Earth Summit – sees its latest new development at Flaine as the next significant step in its commitment to reduce energy consumption.

“This development is tipped to become a showcase of eco-friendly development and it will set the pace for future new developments by MGM,” says the company’s London-based sales consultant Richard Deans.

Le Centaure was designed by one of France’s leading architects, Christian Hauvette of Paris

Le Centaure will comprise 66 apartments ranging in size from 27 square metre studios to 75 square metre three-bedroom duplexes. They include apartments specially adapted for use by disabled occupiers. Features of these apartments include larger floor areas in all rooms, especially the bathrooms and toilets which will have hand rails to assist.

The Residence will incorporate an indoor swimming pool with floor-to-ceiling glazing to give dramatic views of a nearby mountain waterfall, as well as a sauna, Jacuzzi, steam and fitness rooms. A spa and beauty centre will have a variety of massages and body treatments on offer.

When it opens for business at the end of 2011, Le Centaure will be just 50 metres from the cable car lift to Les Grandes-Platières which boasts panoramic views of Mont Blanc at the start of the Cascades blue run down to Sixt-Fer à Cheval. At 14 km, this is one of the longest ski runs in the world, forming part of the 265 km network of pistes within the Grand Massif ski area.

Flaine, a 75-minute drive from Geneva Airport, is popular both for the ski season – with additional activities like ice driving on offer – and the summer where mountain bike rides and walks start on the doorstep.

Off-plan prices of the properties at Le Centaure start at €159,000 for a studio, rising to €426,000 for a three-bedroom duplex apartment.  The prices, which include parking, cellar storage and a ski locker, exclude VAT waived under the leaseback scheme.

Eco details of the Le Centaure development

For 20 years the firm has insulated the external walls of the homes it builds – despite the fact that, in France, this was not a legal requirement until 2007. The levels of both thermal and acoustic insulation installed by MGM exceed the standards demanded by French building standards.

Le Centaure has been planned so that the majority of the apartments are south-facing to maximise the use of natural light through glass-fronted balconies and big double-glazed windows.

Among other energy saving features are:

• lighting activated by movement detectors, switching off automatically when no-one is around
• low-energy light bulbs in communal areas
• geothermal heat pumps to extract and use energy which occurs naturally underground
• low-cost under-floor heating
• flow regulators on all taps.

During construction of Le Centaure, MGM will reduce the carbon emissions caused by transporting workers and materials to the site by engaging local contractors and sourcing local building materials like stone and timber from nearby quarries and sustainable forests.

All the building materials to be used have been closely scrutinised by energy-saving experts at MGM. Eco-friendly paint will be used on the external walls and the company has opted for timber window frames. This is because, while recognising that aluminium ones can be recycled in the longer term, the manufacturing process uses up to 1,000 times more energy than that for timber frames. During the construction process all waste materials will be carefully sorted on site and sent for recycling.

For more information about the properties available, call MGM’s UK office on 0207 4940706 or visit the website www.mgm-constructeur.com

CARIBBEAN

Old Bahama Bay

Barefoot elegance is to be found at Old Bahama Bay on Grand Bahama Island, in the heart of a thriving waterfront resort community. Extraordinary beaches, beautiful water and excellent fishing abound and Old Bahama Bay is a great getaway for tranquillity, relaxation and pampering. The resort also offers a full-service and official port-of-entry marina to Grand Bahama as well as a helipad with charter service available from Florida and state-of-the-art facilities.

Stunning oceanfront home-sites and beachfront condominiums are available from £300,000. For more information contact Barton Wyatt on 01344 843 000 or visit www.bw-international.com.

Bacolet Bay Resort & Spa, Grenada, Caribbean Bacolet Bay is a low density resort comprising villas and hotel cottages spread across 41 acres of tropical gardens on one of the less developed islands of the Caribbean, Grenada. Experience International offer one bedroom, separate dressing room, bathroom, plunge pool with waterfall feature and shaded terrace priced from £321,724. For more information on the four units remaining contact Experience International on 0207 321 5858 or visit www.experience-international.com.

PORTUGAL

Monte Rei

Monte Rei Golf and Country Club, Eastern Algarve is a range of luxury apartments, large villas and plots of land available for development within this luxury development based around two 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature golf courses.

Prices start at €995,000/ £894,300 to €1,830,000/ £1,644,564 and for more information, please contact Barton Wyatt on 01344 843 000 or visit www.bw-international.com

© Stewart Andersen and Stewart Andersen’s Property Blog, 2009. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Stewart Andersen and Stewart Andersen’s Property Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

According to recent research by office service company Regus*, employers are responding to the recession by getting more of their staff to work from home. As a result of improved technology in the home combined with a more flexible attitude to working hours, employees are likely to be encouraged to set up home offices in the future.

Work from home

Developer Crest Nicholson has responded to the potential demand by providing residents at its Avante development in Coxheath, Kent with the suitable technology to allow for an efficient home office.

Each property at the Avante development in Coxheath is sold with facilities that would enable any resident to work from home. Set up with CAT5** cables, additional sockets and wiring to enable efficient computer and printing networks, Avante provides excellent ‘working from home’ facilities.

Annette Cole, Sales and Marketing Director for Crest Nicholson (Eastern) comments: “The facilities at Avante are superb for those wishing to bring high speed technology into their home. In a development such as this where we have really considered sustainable living, to be able to offer residents all the tools they require to meet the demands of modern living is a real bonus.

Crest Nicholson's Avante development

Avante is an innovative collection of 150 one- and two-bedroom apartments and two-, three- and four-bedroom houses that are pushing the boundaries of sustainable living. Architecturally, the homes are ultra-contemporary and as well as offering home working facilities they have been designed to reduce the consumption of energy and water.

Sustainable living

Annette continues: “Avante is an innovative scheme that will hopefully set new standards for traditional developments in the UK. Our aim is to balance environmental performance with a high quality, safe and healthy internal living environment. These properties not only provide high tech and energy saving facilities, they offer buyers attractive homes which are great to live in too.”

All properties are complete and ready to move in to, and include a fully fitted kitchen with a full range of stainless steel integrated appliances.  Bathrooms feature elegant white sanitary ware and are complete with stylish chrome fittings.

Located in Coxheath in Kent, Avante is situated near Maidstone. Well positioned, the development is situated a few miles from the M20. For further information about Avante please contact the sales and marketing suite on 0870 755 9830 or visit www.crestnicholson.com. Open market prices for a home at Avante start from £145,000 for a one bedroom apartment.

** http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category_5_cable

Britain is failing in its key sustainability targets, finds a report published today by the Sustainable Development Commission (SDC).

The SDC report, first published in the Independent on Sunday newspaper, notes that Britain is way off target to reduce its CO2 emissions by 20 per cent by 2010, and by 80 per cent by 2050. Furthermore, the SDC predicts the proportion of energy produced by renewables in 2020 will be just five per cent – falling far short of the EU target of 20 per cent that Britain has signed up to meet.

Jonathon Porritt, outgoing SDC chair, claims sustainability plays second fiddle to the drive for consumption-driven economic growth. “The thing that stands out is the very limited progress we’ve made on reducing inequity in our society… it’s a startling indictment of this Government that more people will be living in fuel poverty at the time of next election than were living in fuel poverty in 1997,” he said.

Porritt’s strident attack is in response to the Government’s failed target to eliminate fuel poverty in all households by 2016. The report finds that in 2006, there were approximately 3.5 million UK households (14 per cent) in fuel poverty, an increase of 1 million since 2005. And, despite some improvements, significant energy efficiency improvements are required to meet climate-change targets.

Jonathon Porritt

Zero-carbon

In the housing sector the Government has laid down its target for all new homes being built in England to be zero-carbon by 2016. Yet it has still to define what constitutes zero-carbon and exactly how housebuilders might achieve zero-carbon status. Residential dwellings in the UK account for 27 per cent of CO2 emissions.

Britain’s 26 million existing dwellings – 70 per cent of which are expected to be in use by 2050 – are notoriously poorly insulated. Despite Government initiatives to encourage cavity wall insulation – which is a cost-effective measure to reduce CO2 emissions – 8.5 million UK households that could have it do not, notes the report.

In a statement in response to the report’s findings ahead of publication, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) said: “We’re grateful to the SDC for the work they’ve put into this report. We look forward to its publication… and we will consider its content carefully.”

The Government’s record on sustainability has also come under attack from politicians and pressure groups. Greg Clark, Conservative spokesman on energy and climate change, said: “This is a time when we need action rather than spin.”

Mike Childs, of Friends of the Earth, said of the Government: “They’ve produced strategies and had press conferences but there hasn’t been conviction… that sustainable development is of critical importance.”

Greenhouse gases

The condemnation of the Government’s shortcomings on sustainability issues are underlined by the SDC’s report that finds Britain remains the second-largest emitter of greenhouse gases in Europe. In 2007, CO2 emissions were 8.5 per cent below 1990 levels.

The litany of failings found by the report includes a shortfall on reaching recycling targets – the national household recycling rate has reached 34.5 per cent but falls short of the 40 per cent 2010 target, and the UK is also still heavily reliant on landfill. A third of the food we buy goes to waste.

The report also finds that the Government is failing to meet its targets for: air quality, biodiversity, and to reduce the dependence on cars.

Mr Porritt, who steps down this month from the SDC, said: “I feel some disappointment inevitably because I would have wanted to see faster progress,” and cites a new energy White Paper as something “they [the Government] could, and should, have done four or five years ago.”

More information about the report can be obtained by going on-line at: www.sd-commission.org.uk or calling: 0300 068 6305