Why it pays to go green at icon

Environment conscious house-hunters in the South West can combine a low carbon lifestyle with practical cost savings at Crest Nicholson’s new eco development, ICON.

Competitively priced and meticulously designed to be highly energy efficient, the properties at ICON offer overall affordability with significantly cheaper running costs. The average annual cost of heating a home at ICON is just £190 compared to £900 for a typical Victorian property – a saving of over £700.

Located in the picturesque town of Street in Somerset, ICON has been awarded the EcoHomes ‘Excellent’ rating for energy efficiency and sets new standards for high quality, sustainable housing.

Each property is highly insulated and features a central ventilation system to keep energy consumption low, enabling home owners to cut their spending and their carbon footprint at the same time. Renewable energy is put to good use, with solar water heating providing a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, while aerated taps and water butts help to conserve water.

Sustainability is also an important factor in the construction of ICON, which incorporates timber, stone and bricks sourced from the local area. Waste materials have been recycled wherever possible and all displaced earth is re-used in order to reduce waste transport to landfill sites.

Great care has been taken to create a network of landscaped streets and high quality open spaces to ensure that people take precedence over cars. Cycle and pedestrian routes have been established, providing easy access to the town centre and nearby Clarks Village Outlet Centre, and each property has its own cycle parking.

Laura Osborne, Sales Manager for Crest Nicholson South West Ltd said:

“Increasingly, home buyers are discovering that going green has financial as well as ecological benefits. ICON offers a peaceful, low carbon lifestyle for the modern house buyer and the costs savings are a real bonus.”

The first phase – which is due for completion in March next year – consists of 108 one and two-bedroom apartments and two, three and four-bedroom homes, starting from £154,950. And with Crest Nicholson’s ‘EasyBuy’ scheme enabling purchasers to secure a one or two bedroom apartment* for just 75% of the asking price, living a greener lifestyle needn’t cost the earth.

For further information, log on to Crestnicholson.com/Icon.

* Subject to terms and conditions, available on selected plots only.