Axis leads the way in eco-friendly homes

Countryside Maritime is leading the way in eco-friendly housing with Axis, its latest development on the award winning St Mary’s Island, in Chatham, Kent, which offers a modern and affordable solution to living a ‘greener’ life.

Homes are responsible for 27% of all carbon emissions and consume half of all water supplies (source: Sustainable Development Commission). Combine this with rising energy prices and water shortages in the South East, and it is not surprising that people are starting to look for eco-friendly homes that will save them money and reduce harmful carbon emissions.

Countryside Maritime is leading the way in eco-friendly housing with Axis, its latest development on the award winning St Mary’s Island, the former Royal Naval Dockyard in Chatham, Kent.

Set within 20 acres of open space on St. Mary's Island, Axis combines eco-friendly features with contemporary housing design, and provides smart solutions to everyday living needs, as well as meeting demands to conserve energy and resources.

Sustainability and the environment have been key considerations right from the beginning stages of the project and all the properties at Axis have been designed to an Eco-homes rating of ‘Very Good’.

On the outside, cedar weatherboarding from a sustainable source is in keeping with the traditional Kent architecture, while also providing an extra layer of insulation. Large windows flood the main living areas with natural light, reducing the need for artificial light and making properties at Axis a desirable place to live.

Inside, all properties have high levels of CFC-free insulation to reduce heat loss. Dual flush toilets and spray taps reduce water usage, and low energy light fittings and high efficiency condensing boilers with low nitrogen oxide emissions reduce energy use, all of which will help keep utility bills low and use less resources.

It is not just the homes themselves that are eco-friendly. The community benefits from an extensive network of footpath/cycleways that give priority to pedestrians and cyclists, helping to reduce car use. The development also includes a wealth of green spaces and special ‘wildlife corridors’ to encourage wildlife on the Island.

Chris Crook, Subsidiary Managing Director of Countryside Properties said: “Countryside Maritime is committed to creating sustainable communities with energy efficient homes. The success of Axis and St Mary’s Island as a whole, shows that this is exactly what people want. Axis has attracted a record number of buyers with many of the properties already sold.”

Countryside has won recognition from a number of organisations for its eco-friendly approach to development at St Mary’s Island including: a Building for Life Silver Standard - a joint initiative from CABE, the House Builders Federation and the Civic Trust; a commendation from WWF-UK’s inaugural Sustainable New Homes award and Silver in the ‘Best Sustainable Development’ category at the What House? Awards 2004.

For further details on Axis from Countryside Maritime on St Mary's Island, visit axis-chatham.com.