New eco-friendly holiday homes with Habitat First Group

Consumers across the UK are beginning to notice the financial effects of the recent increase in energy prices, causing them to be careful of how they are spending their money and to look at ways to be more conscious of energy consumption. Habitat First Group’s eco-friendly and zero carbon properties offer a future-proofed solution to help families facing these problems.

For 25 years Habitat First Group’s pioneering sustainable homes at Lower Mill Estate in the Cotswolds and Silverlake in Dorset have been helping make a change to the environment and to living costs; with this becoming a particular focus for recent phases of development. Both eco-friendly estates are home to a range of waterways and trails for visitors to explore, filled with habitats for rare species of animals and plants. Habitat First Group works with onsite Ecologist and Head of Environment & Sustainability, Dr Phoebe Carter, to ensure that the builds are nature-inclusive and climate resilient.

The latest holiday homes at Lower Mill Estate and Silverlake have been designed to conserve energy and save money, whilst also boosting native biodiversity. An easy way to reduce heat loss in a home is through air tightness and insulation. Properties on the estate are constructed with SIP’s “Structurally insulated panels” that are wrapped in thermo insulating membranes to ensure that minimal heat is lost. Habitat First Group’s latest village holiday home designs include air source heat pumps firing underfloor heating throughout as a renewable alternative to central heating. These  use heat absorbed from the outside to heat the inside of the home and water.

Habitat First Group has a commitment to deliver an environmentally-responsible, carbon neutral business by 2030. This plan is already well underway, with electric charging points found across the estates, tree planting to offset business mileage, and extensive habitat creation. Those staying with Habitat Escapes at Lower Mill Estate and Silverlake are encouraged to live consciously and responsibly while on the estate and at home. At Lower Mill Estate, Ballihoo Market is a zero-waste shop selling local produce and encourages visitors to bring their own containers to fill up rather than use plastics. To further promote sustainability, food and beverage at both estates is locally and seasonally sourced where possible.

For those looking for a sustainable holiday home on the south coast, Habitat First Group unveiled plans for the next phase of their development, Shepperd’s View, at Silverlake earlier this year. This is a fantastic opportunity for buyers to purchase their own eco-friendly holiday home surrounded by heathland and wetlands, allowing buyers the chance to fully immerse themselves in nature in the stunning Dorset countryside. Prices for plots at the latest phase of Shepperd’s View start at £670,000 for a four-bedroom design, and from £1,265,000 for a larger five-bedroom design on a waterside plot. These prices are made up of a freehold plot price with the benefit of planning permission and a build contract from a recommended builder.