Eco features on offer at Northampton development

Selling electricity back to your utility supplier and roofs layered with plants sounds like new homes of the future. But these and more eco friendly features are being installed at a housing development in Upton, Northampton.

Barratt Northampton's NU@D2 off the Weedon Road consists of 165 homes. The scheme has already installed solar thermal collectors for hot water.

NU@D2 is now finishing the installation of 312 solar PV (PhotoVoltaics) panels which convert the sun's radiation directly into electrical power.

12, four-storey homes benefit from the technology which aims to generate 50 per cent of the homeowners' electrical consumption every year.

Any electricity produced during the day can also be ‘exported' back to the electricity supplier, where the company credits the homeowner - offering further savings.

The panels, mostly installed to roofs, are also being added to the roof of metal framed pergolas covering roof terraces - making a striking visual impact.

Barratt are also installing 'living' roofs to apartment buildings, which aid storm water management by reducing rainwater run off. Made of sedum, which grows to a max 75mm high, it requires no maintenance from the homeowner.

Karen Heath, sales negotiator, said: "People are more aware now of the impact their home has on the environment, and buyers have embraced the ‘green' initiatives."

The environmentally friendly features are all part of Barratt's vision for NU@D2 to create a sustainable and healthy living environment, where residents are encouraged to walk and cycle to amenities, rather than rely on cars, via ground-breaking urban landscaping.

Currently available are two bedroom apartments and three and five bedroom homes. Prices range from £159,995 - £454,750.

The show homes are open Wednesday - Sunday, 11.00am - 6.00pm, or for more information, log on to Barratthomes.co.uk/nud2.