Energy Conscious Living At Essex Development

WhatHouse? Award-winning developer Weston Homes reports that investing in a new build house or apartment could help buyers combat the rising cost of living.

With sales soaring at Weston Homes’ recent developments such as Edinburgh Way in Harlow, Essex (over 80% sold within 16 months of its launch) the appeal of lower household bills, more outdoor space and access to a thriving community is encouraging buyers to snap up these more sustainable living opportunities.

Edinburgh Way comprises 361 new apartments across five new residential buildings on the doorstep of rolling countryside, providing one-, two- and three-bedroom homes.

82% of new build homes have an A or B rating for energy efficiency compared to 2.2% of existing properties, according to Government EPC research and data. New homes use an average of 103kwh/m2 per year as opposed to 294kwh/m2 per year in older homes.

Edinburgh Way has been constructed with the British Offsite UNI Panel, a precision factory-made panelised wall system which provides excellent insulation levels wrapped tightly around the building, resulting in a thermally efficient and airtight home. The Weston Homes design team carefully considers every element of their homes from insulation to airtight junctions and glazing to heating specifications, all in a bid to optimise performance. 

Weston Homes properties include one of the most efficient gas combination boilers available on the market. This incorporates Flue Gas Heat Recovery for additional efficiency and avoids standing heat loss from a hot water cylinder. Under the new June 2022 Building Regulations, Weston Homes is already ahead of the game and has, where possible, changed the designed heating provision on their sites to air source heat pumps for space and/or hot water heating.

Safety and security have been kept in mind at Edinburgh Way, and homes are built using fire resistant materials with the inclusion of smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and automatic sprinkler systems.

The development is across the road from Harlow Town Park comprising five beautiful gardens, including a walled garden, a water garden, the Stort Valley meadows and a park café. Residents who enjoy keeping fit and active benefit from a dedicated outdoor gym and a free 5K running group, in addition to the idyllic River Stort’s offering of heritage trails, country walks, and numerous cycling paths. The development also includes its own private landscaped podium gardens and a new public realm. Easy access to all of these amenities encourages residents to get moving whilst eliminating expensive gym memberships and travel costs, further lowering the cost of living.

With many households now opting to entertain and socialise at home, buyers are keen to embrace spacious, open-plan living. All plots in Edinburgh Way feature open-plan kitchen and living areas, providing a central hub for relaxing and entertaining, with most units offering outdoor space on private terraces and balconies. Weston Homes properties offer a fully inclusive specification in every property to minimise those ‘start up’ costs of buying a home. Kitchens are equipped with an integrated fridge/freezer, washer/dryer and dishwasher, with energy saving ceramic hobs. These products have been chosen for their energy and water efficiency as well as their performance to help reduce CO2, waste and running costs. At Edinburgh Way buyers have the choice of quartz stone kitchen worktops and a wide range of designer Oakwood Kitchen units.

Suzanne Aplin, group sales and marketing director at Weston Homes says: "This extraordinary flurry of sales activity has happened in just 16 months and over the course of the Covid-19 crisis, reflecting the desire of home movers to buy close to nature in the English countryside, while also being within close walking distance of amenities and culture in a well-connected town – both in terms of transport and the internet. Edinburgh Way provides an exceptional opportunity to purchase an energy efficient, affordable home, with access to the fastest internet speeds currently available in the UK, in a fast growing and sought-after area, while being secure in the knowledge they are saving themselves money by investing in a new build home.”

Prices at Edinburgh Way start from £233,500 for a one-bedroom apartment and £318,500 for a two-bedroom apartment. The marketing suite and show home are open seven days a week from 10am to 5pm. For further information please contact Weston Homes via 01279 704 252.

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