There is now an overwhelming body of scientific evidence showing that climate change is a serious and urgent issue. From the very beginning of the design and development of Dairy Meadow, we have had environmental issues at the top of our agenda.

The site has been designed to reflect the character of traditional homes in the area.

Eco-friendly building techniques and systems have been used and where possible, natural products have been incorporated. Other materials have been sourced locally or chosen for their energy efficiency.

Individual homes also benefit from high insulation values and draught proof construction. Windows are double glazed and of hardwood timber from renewable sources.

Water usage will be minimised through the installation of low volume flush toilets, aerated taps and water butts for the collection and storage of rain water.

The sewage from the site will be treated naturally through a communal reed bed filter drainage system. This provides an odourless, low maintenance solution to the increasing problems of waste management, as well as a sympathetic environment for the local wildlife.

One of the most innovative steps taken is for all hot water and central heating to all the homes within Dairy Meadow, to be provided from a single central boiler burning wood chippings provided from the local woodlands.

This provides a number of advantages including lower running costs; it will minimise carbon dioxide emissions; there will be no individual house boilers to maintain; no unsightly oil storage tanks to house or oil delivery tankers on site.

The site is working towards the Government’s recently released “Code for sustainable homes” criteria.