The £10m Residential Scheme Focusing on Eco-efficiency
Sigma Homes has begun work on a £10 million development of 20 eco-focused homes on the edge of Haywards Heath in West Sussex. How will these help to enhance the natural environment and provide affordable housing for those who need it the most?
The 3.1-acre site will focus on eco-efficiency and see the creation of 19 houses and one apartment to the south of Haywards Health and will include a 30 per cent affordable housing allocation. Comprising 13 three-bedroom houses, three-four-bedroom houses, three two-bedroom houses, and a one-bedroom apartment, the first homes will become available for occupation during 2023.
Air Source Heat Pumps And Electric Charging Points Will Be Implemented
Geoff Potton, Chief Executive at Sigma Homes, explained that the project is in an excellent position for residents: “We have worked for two years on the planning and meticulous pre-construction preparation for this scheme, and we are thrilled to now be on-site and breaking ground. Spring Bank enjoys an exceptional location, supported by Haywards Heath’s wide range of amenities, which are fully accessible by active and sustainable forms of travel.
“Set within a beautiful landscape, our development will maintain and enhance the natural environment. Our plans will provide a mature landscape setting from day one and maintain the area’s historic field patterns and wooded character.”
This landscape–led design approach will ensure a sensitive transition can be successfully established between the settlement edge and wider rural setting to the south.
Focusing on being eco-friendly, the homes will be installed with air source heat pumps, electric car charging points and high levels of insulation to achieve an EPC-A or high B rating, each dwelling benefiting from private gardens and parking.
Developers Must Focus On Being Eco-friendly
The development has been designed to provide safe and convenient walking and cycling routes to integrate with existing networks that offer opportunities for and encourage sustainable travel choices.
In addition, Sigma Homes is also ensuring that the landscape of the site is in tune with ecological considerations. The developer has said that woodland, hedgerows, and areas of dense scrub will be maintained and enhanced to provide habitats suitable for a range of protected species, including breeding birds, bats, hazel dormice, and reptiles.
Ensuring that sites are in tune with ecological considerations is crucial due to our current worldwide target of tackling climate change and protecting our health and environment. In 2021, The Environment Act was introduced to enshrine better environmental protection into law, making it vital for all developers to begin to implement these changes and care about the environment during their projects.
Informed by experts, the UK Government has been provided with powers to set binding targets, including for air quality, water, biodiversity, and waste reduction. In addition, the act also established an environment watchdog, the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP), which holds the government and other public bodies to account and ensures that environmental laws are complied with.
Sigma Homes Is On Track With Their Housing Targets
Located on the B2112, which is the main route into the town centre and served by regular bus services, the Spring Bank Scheme is located just over two miles from Haywards Heath Railway Station.
Locally, there is a host of town centre amenities including shops, restaurants, pubs, green spaces, and public footpaths. As well as retail and leisure offerings, the town is close to attractions such as Sheffield Park, the National Trust’s Nymans Gardens and House, and Borde Hill Garden. Currently, the company has five live developments in premium locations across the south of England and is on track to deliver 200 homes per year by 2025.
