Sustainability
The city council has declared climate and ecological crises. We want to contribute to building the homes Bristol needs whilst reducing the impact we all have on the planet. The challenge the city faces is how we build the homes Bristol needs whilst helping reduce CO2 emissions in the face of future climate change.
Location
The site’s proximity to the park and ride, local services and facilities, presents a real opportunity to reduce car use, which, alongside energy-efficient homes will help reduce emissions in response to climate change. Remediating the site alongside the provision of new habitats will also enhance the site’s environmental value and open up public access.
Design
Design impacts sustainability in many different ways. The layout of the new community has been carefully considered to ensure that people can walk or cycle from their homes to the community hub and beyond, to Brislington and into the city. The extensive landscaping within the scheme will help make it resilient to the effects of climate change. Tree planting will provide natural shade and cooling and we will incorporate sustainable drainage systems.
The materials and design of the buildings also matter. This detail will be refined as the project progresses but through industry-leading research we think we’ve got some of the solutions.
Building with Nature
It can feel counterintuitive but there are ways to build with nature.
We will be required to show how we improve the environment. This is referred to as ‘biodiversity net gain’ and is part of planning policy.
We are exploring using the Building with Nature Programme established by Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust and the University of the West of England. This is a way of holding ourselves to account.
Some of the things we’re planning:
- Creation of woodland pasture and parkland, characteristic of the wider landscape in this area.
- This woodland pasture and parkland will provide ‘stepping stones’ for wildlife between the Local Nature Reserve to the south and the Registered Park and Garden to the north.
- Corridors – we’re designing gardens so that they link to create corridors for wildlife throughout the community (e.g. hedgehog gates in fences).
Our approach to delivering this nature focussed scheme is informed by a comprehensive suite of wildlife habitats and species surveys – all to be reported in the environmental statement submitted as part of any future planning application.
Future Homes
Bellway has laid the foundations for the future by building an experimental new eco home – The Future Home @ The University of Salford.
It’s a home built inside another building where Bellway can test new features and undertake research. What they learn helps them build better for people and the environment.
A variety of building materials and green technologies are being explored to help identify best practices when it comes to:
- Storing solar energy at home
- Recovering heat from wastewater
- Placement and maximisation of air source heat pumps
- Other carbon-reducing technologies
- Testing different heating systems as we move away from reliance on fossil fuel technologies
A Sustainability Statement and Energy Strategy is currently being prepared and will be submitted as part of any future planning application.
