Innovative energy-efficiency tools will be used on a new housing development in Swanley, Kent, as part of Bellway’s plans to move towards more sustainable heating systems
60 new homes will be built at Highlands Grange in Swanley, on the former Harrington’s plant nursery site near Highlands Hill. Ten of the new homes will feature sustainable heating systems in the form of air-source heat pumps as part of Bellway’s sustainability strategy.
New regulations, which will be enforced in 2025, will mean that gas boilers will no longer be allowed in newly built homes, and alternative sustainable heating systems such as air source heat pumps will be required instead.
Air source heat pumps are the future of sustainable heating systems
“Air source heat pumps are more energy efficient and will replace gas boilers in new homes in the coming years. The purchasers of these homes will generate lower carbon emissions due to the low-carbon nature of this heating technology,” said Emma Hamlett, sales director for Bellway Thames Gateway.
“Although the rules over the installation of gas boilers don’t change until 2025, at Bellway, we are proactive and keen to get ahead of the curve on this by starting to move towards more sustainable heating systems now. It is part of our corporate commitment to sustainability and building greener homes,” she continued.
The development will support local biodiversity
The houses equipped with the air source heat pumps will be four-bedroom properties. They will also each feature under-floor heating on the ground floor. All the homes at Highlands Grange will have electric vehicle charging points to encourage sustainable travel.
Sustainability measures such as bat and bird boxes, insect hotels, habitat piles, and hedgehog highways will also be included to protect wildlife. A community orchard and wildflower meadow will support biodiversity around the development.
Bellway is building a total of 60 properties across the five-acre site, including 36 two-, three, and four-bedroom houses, which will be available for private sale. This will include 24 affordable homes for low-cost rent or shared ownership. The first homes will be available for sale in January 2024.
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