Homes
Design features
The new homes across Walker Riverside are being built with the changing world in mind. They are designed to a high sustainable standard, have a number of green solutions as part of the build and can be easily adapted to suit the occupants during their lifetime.
EcoHomes
EcoHomes is an environmental rating for homes. Ecohomes balances environmental performance with the need for a high quality of life and a safe and healthy internal environment. This straightforward, flexible and independently verified assessment method seeks to improve the overall environmental performance of new and existing homes. It forms part of the Building Research Establishment's (BRE) suite of environmental assessment tools.
All homes being built in Walker Riverside meet the EcoHomes 'very good' standard.
Code for Sustainable Homes
The Code measures the sustainability of a new home against categories of sustainable design, rating the ‘whole home’ as a complete package. The Code uses a 1 to 6 star rating system to communicate the overall sustainability performance of a new home. The Code sets minimum standards for energy and water use at each level and, within England, replaces the EcoHomes scheme, developed by the Building Research Establishment (BRE).
The Code also gives new homebuyers better information about the environmental impact of their new home and its potential running costs, and offer builders a tool with which to differentiate themselves in sustainability terms.
Since April 2007 the developer of any new home in England can choose to be assessed against the Code.
Communities and Local Government have published a Greener Homes for the Future Leaflet which highlights what the Code is, how it works and what it means to have a mandatory rating for new homes.
On the 27 February 2008 the Government confirmed a mandatory rating against the Code will be implemented for new homes from 1 May 2008.
Green Solutions
The new homes in Walker Riverside have been built using the latest green technology and energy saving devices which not only help the environment but also save you money on utility bills. Solar power is harnessed via panels on roofs and grey water systems have been implemented to re-use water that would otherwise go to waste.
Lifetime Homes
Lifetime Homes make life as easy as possible, for as
long as possible because they are thoughtfully designed.
They are homes for everyone and bring benefits to anyone
who lives in them because of the individual choices that
they make possible.
The flexibility and adaptability of Lifetime Homes
accommodate life events quickly, cost-effectively
and without upheaval. What makes a Lifetime Home is the incorporation of 16 design features that together create a flexible blueprint for accessible and adaptable housing in any setting. The Lifetime Homes concept increases choice, independence and longevity of tenure, vital to individual and community well being.
