Countryside Properties leading the way

Countryside Properties’ recently published Environmental, Social and Ethical (ESE) Report highlights the Group’s commitment to making its business sustainable, as well as protecting the environment. The report highlights that 95 per cent of the Group’s residential development is on brownfield and recycled urban land.

In recent years individuals and industries have become increasingly aware of the environment and the impact their actions can have on the planet’s resources. Countryside Properties’ recently published Environmental, Social and Ethical (ESE) Report highlights the Group’s commitment to making its business sustainable, as well as protecting the environment.

The Report highlights that 95 per cent of the Group’s residential development is on brownfield and recycled urban land, an increase on the impressive 68 per cent which was being achieved five years ago and well above the Government’s target for having 60 per cent of housing built on brownfield land by 2008.

Over the past five years Countryside Properties has taken steps to ensure that social, environmental and economic sustainability are key considerations in everything it develops. The Group has made significant progress in designing and construction more sustainable buildings by using BREEAM/EcoHomes. Currently 55 per cent of its homes will achieve at least a ‘Good’ or better EcoHomes rating.

The Group’s progress and dedication to sustainability has been widely recognised; since 2001 they have received 160 awards, including 60 for sustainability. 95 of the awards have been for design quality and they have twice been included in the Sunday Times ‘Top 100 Companies to Work For’.

Countryside Properties has been certified to the Investors in People Standard since 2000 and invests heavily in the training and development of its people. Since 2001, the Group’s Health and Safety incident rates have remained below the national average every year apart from 2004.

Reputable third party certification has been gained of management systems throughout the Group, including Quality Management, Environmental Management and Health and Safety.

Alan Cherry, Chairman of Countryside Properties comments: “With the Group’s track record and skills we believe we are well placed to meet the challenge of sustainability and the significant opportunities that exist for developers with the appropriate abilities. Businesses and industry now have a great responsibility to reduce carbon emissions and we have already taken important steps to ensure we are able to meet the Government’s target of having zero carbon homes by 2016.”

Alan Cherry continues: “I am delighted that our five year review has highlighted the continual progress we have made in recent years. We have an excellent track record in terms of delivering more sustainable developments, and this will continue to go from strength to strength.”

The majority of Countryside Properties developments are located in the Government’s key growth area of the Thames Gateway, M11 corridor and the Northern Way.