Newly-weds love their new home in Overton

Dr Jess Trofimovs (30), a geologist specialising in Volcanoes, moved from Australia to England four years ago - soon after her arrival she met Glynn Davies (44) who works as a regional sales manager in the south and south-west.

When Jess' job took her to the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton, the couple moved from Bristol and rented a place in Southampton.

However, renting was not an ideal solution; they were planning to get married and needed a spacious family home in a location that would suit both their jobs.

When the couple saw Greenfields, a development by David Wilson Homes in Overton, Basingstoke, they lost no time in purchasing a superb three-bedroom eco-friendly house; they moved in last October and a week later they were married.

Jess says: "We wanted a place in the country as we both love walking and mountain-biking. We drove around and came across Greenfields. When I first saw the development I thought it was very different to the sort of thing I normally go for, however, when we took a closer look, we realised we had actually stumbled upon something very special. The homes here are well-designed and their eco-credentials really appealed to us. We toured the showhome and loved it.

"The village location is perfect, with rolling countryside all around us; we have great views over the River Test Valley. I can commute to Southampton by train which takes around an hour, or 50 minutes by road, and we are well-placed for Glynn's work."

David Wilson Homes has incorporated a range of environmentally-friendly elements at Greenfields, demonstrating that it is easy to live well while living responsibly.

The three and four-bedroom houses all achieve the BRE Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) Ecohomes ‘Very Good' standard; this assessment process balances environmental performance with the need for a high quality of life and a safe and healthy internal environment.

The two showhomes demonstrate all the ‘green' features in the scheme, including two-storey solar space conservatories, solar heating panels and rainwater recycling systems.

Low energy lighting is used at Greenfields, with dedicated fittings throughout. Other features include solar water heating to all homes and high-efficiency space-saving heating. The houses have passive stack ventilation systems to kitchens, bathrooms and en suites with the air naturally drawn upwards; creating a healthy environment and saving on electricity.

All domestic water outlets are fitted with flow restrictors. All tap outlets will be aerated; this gives the user a feeling of ‘softness' and reduces the tap's flow rate without appearing to do so. Showers are low-flow (nine litres per minute or less) and WC cisterns have a dual 2.5 and 4 litre flush. Rainwater harvesting units at each house supply rainwater to the WCs, washing machines and external taps (for car washing and gardening).

The properties are constructed with materials sourced from responsible suppliers, such as timber from well-managed sustainable forests. The majority of homes are south-facing to maximise solar power and reduce the need to use the boilers, and so lowering emissions.

Jess adds: "These homes provide a good opportunity to live in a more sustainable way, with the various eco-elements, such as energy conservation, benefiting both the planet and us; we're looking forward lower energy bills.

"We found it difficult at first to get a mortgage due to the current financial market, however, David Wilson Homes recommended a good mortgage broker who helped us straight away and we got a good deal.

"We were so thrilled to move in, and to have got married a week later really was the icing on the cake. We love entertaining our family and friends in our new home and plan to live here a long time as it's a great place to raise a family, which is also on our wish-list."

Greenfields certainly ticks all the boxes, with a good choice of schools and colleges in the area. For commuters, Overton train station is less than a mile from the development with direct services to London Waterloo taking around an hour.

Prices for homes currently available at Greenfields in Foxdown, Overton, Basingstoke, RG25 3JF, start at £375,000 for a four-bedroom house; a further phase of three-bedroom homes will be released in the New Year.

For more information, log on to Dwh.co.uk.