UK housebuilder named first to complete sustainable benchmarking initiative

The Springfield Group has become the first housebuilder to take part in a project designed to benchmark sustainable practices across the sector. 

This year, housing companies across the UK have begun making the switch to using more sustainable materials when constructing properties and retrofitting them with greener upgrades, such as solar panels and electric heat pumps. However, a Scotland-based organisation has taken it one step further and has been named the first to participate in an initiative, known as NextGeneration, created to benchmark sustainable practices across the industry.

Initially set up in 2006, NextGeneration started to provide an external assessment of the largest 25 housebuilders in the UK. The body has recently launched NextGeneration Core to encourage small businesses to benchmark their own performance.

The Springfield Group, which is made up of Springfield Properties, Springfield Partnerships, Dawn Homes and many more, is the first housebuilder to engage with NextGeneration Core, setting the standards for which others will now be measured.

Through the voluntary scheme, the housing group was assessed against 14 key criteria’s including the company’s policies for reducing energy use and waste, its health and safety standards, commitment to placemaking and affordable housing, and educating its workforce.

Once results were in, the Springfield Group was praised for its use of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), with evaluators noting that 100% of its homes are built from sustainable timber.

In addition, its lead on reaching net zero targets also excelled. As it stands, the group has delivered over 60 developments with homes heated by air-source technology and last year this resulted in over 30% of its homes being delivered without gas.

Innes Smith, chief executive at Springfield Properties said: ‘Since we began building homes in the 1990s, Springfield has been focused on exploring innovations in sustainability, finding new ways to reduce our footprint, and positively impact the communities in which we build. As our business grows, we remain committed to the importance of these measures.

‘It’s very satisfying to receive recognition for the good things we do through our high performance in the NextGeneration Core initiative, especially in the lead we have taken in adopting Modern Methods of Construction at our kit factories and in the delivery of homes using net zero technology.

‘However, the lasting impact that we have on our customers by delivering energy efficient homes, on our employees through our care and investment in them, and on the communities in which we build to ensure a positive legacy, is what is most important to us at Springfield.’

Image: Photo Boards