Barratt Developments Scotland is leading the way in delivering eco-friendly homes to buyers in Scotland and is well on its way to meeting top energy efficiency standards set out by the Scottish government.
Latest research by the UK’s largest housebuilder, which owns Barratt and David Wilson homes, shows that all of Barratt’s new homes (100%) are built to a minimum EPC rating of B or above. This puts the company ahead of schedule in meeting the Scottish government’s Heat in Buildings Strategy, which sets housebuilders an ambitious target to achieve a good standard of energy efficiency, and by 2033 to meet at least an EPC band C standard. All new homes are given an EPC rating between A and G, with A being the most energy efficient in terms of likely fuel costs and carbon dioxide emissions, but there are currently no legal requirements on a minimum EPC rating for new build homes.
The housebuilder has also announced a new partnership with Halifax bank that now offers green mortgages to environmentally minded buyers, which means that those purchasing Barratt’s energy-efficient homes could be offered a larger loan with lower interest rates as a consequence of their smaller anticipated energy bills.
Doug McLeod, regional managing director for Barratt Developments in Scotland, believes newly built properties’ eco credentials could soon be the ultimate selling point for homeowners, in particular first-time buyers struggling to get on the property market. He said: “A new generation of homebuyers could find new homes with green credentials as their only affordable option. We know that energy spending can be a major household outgoing and a big part of the consideration when buying a new home. Environmental considerations are also becoming increasingly important for home buyers as we search for ways to create a net zero carbon emission society, and at Barratt Homes we are committed to playing our part by enabling our customers to make greener choices when it comes to buying a new house.
“The affordability of some of the green mortgage deals, combined with the energy efficiency and cheaper running costs of new build homes, are already leading to more and more first-time buyers taking the new build route into homeownership.”
The Z House
It’s not the first time Barratt has taken a lead for the housebuilding industry. Last month, Barratt launched a unique flagship zero carbon home concept called the Z House that will be occupied and monitored to assess its performance. And last year, the company announced its commitment to reduce direct carbon emissions by 29% by 2025 and to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions in its own operations by 2040. It will also deliver new zero carbon standard house types from 2030 and ensure that 100% of the electricity that it purchases will be renewable by 2025.
All new Barratt homes are up to 57% cheaper to run, meaning homeowners could save up to £1,410 on their bills each year compared to an updated Victorian equivalent property. They come with features such as modern double glazing fitted with argon gas that is designed to capture the sunlight and flood rooms with light, as well as smart technologies which include solar panels, highly efficient boilers, heat recovery, and increased insulation in walls, floors and roofs to make sure that draughts won’t cause winter chills.
David Balfour, account director at New Homes Mortgage Scotland, said: “We are increasingly hearing from our customers that they’re interested in purchasing an energy efficient home as they prioritise environmentally friendly lifestyles. Green mortgages are most commonly available on new build homes where homebuyers could benefit from cheaper rates and cashback incentives. Eligibility for many of the green mortgage deals is linked to the property’s EPC rating – for example, it might need to be A or B. A large proportion of the UK’s housing stock is old. This is one reason why more and more homeowners and first-time buyers are choosing new build properties that are sold with excellent EPC ratings of B and above.”
Reducing carbon emissions and having the top energy-efficiency ratings in new build homes isn’t the only way Barratt is helping to save the planet. They are also making wildlife-friendly places to live through their partnership with RSPB, the country’s largest nature conservation charity. By 2023 Barratt will further prioritise wildlife on all new developments by creating dedicated spaces for local biodiversity conservation, installing a range of wildlife-friendly features including hedgehog hideaways and swift nesting sites. Beyond 2023 their goal is to have at least 10% more wildlife habitats in and around developments, delivering a clear biodiversity net gain across the country.
Green mortgage case study
Graeme Pearson, aged 37, has swapped his draughty Victorian tenement flat with old timber sash and case windows and extremely high ceilings for a three-bedroom end-of-terrace Barratt home in Edinburgh. He moved in with his partner in November 2021 and is looking forward to a more energy-efficient and quick-heating home with lower fuel bills.
He benefitted from a green mortgage deal with a lower interest rate and cash back deal through Barratt’s partnership with Halifax, and said: “My last home was an old Victorian tenement flat that was almost impossible to heat and had draughts everywhere. It could be bitterly cold in the winter so my partner and I are very much looking forward to our brand new Barratt home that has plenty of eco credentials to shout about, from below slab insulation to efficient uPVC windows. I also opted for the installation of a convection hob as I believe moving away from gas cooking is an important step towards future sustainability, and we have solar panels on the roof. I might consider installing an EV charging point in the future and running a cable across the footway to an adjacent parking space.”
Countesswells
Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes are building a wide range of properties at their current Scottish developments, including:
Kingslaw Gait in Coaltown Of Wemyss, Fife, with three-bedroom properties ranging from £201,995 to £223,995.
Countesswells in Aberdeen, with three- and four-bedroom houses between £229,995 and £419,995.
David Wilson @ Countesswells, with an array of three- and four-bedroom house types from £319,995 to £549,995.
St Clements View in Wallyford, East Lothian, with three- and four-bedroom homes starting at £273,995.
Gilmerton Heights in Burdiehouse, Edinburgh, where three- and four-bedroom homes are currently priced from £179,996 to £404,995.
Osprey Heights in Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, where prices range from £254,995 to £349,995 for the available three- and four-bedroom properties.
Riverside Quarter in Aberdeen, with two-, three- and four-bedroom homes priced from £149,995 to £369,995.
Westburn Gardens, Cornhill in Aberdeen, with one- and two-bedroom apartments priced from £164,995 to £229,995.
Whiteland Coast in Newtonhill, Aberdeenshire, prices range from £183,995 to £359,995 for the current choice of two-, three- and four-bedroom properties.
DWH @ Thornton View in East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire, wth three- and four-bedroom houses starting at £234,995
The Scholars in Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire, which has a selection of three- and four-bedroom properties, priced from £227,995 to £262,995.
Cammo Meadows Apartments in Edinburgh, where two- and three-bedroom properties start between £195,200 and £325,995.
Find out more about all current Barratt Homes developments in Scotland.
Find out more about all current David Wilson Homes developments in Scotland.
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