Weston Homes reports that investing in a new build house or apartment could help buyers combat the rising cost of living. New research based on Government Energy Performance Certificate data has found that buyers of a new build apartment will save an average of just over £2,000 a year in energy bills. The report ‘Watt a Save’, published by the Home Builders Federation (HBF), shows that in total, last year’s new build purchasers are saving more than £500m on annual energy bills, with new build homes emitting a third of the carbon of an older property, reducing carbon emissions by over 500,000 tonnes.
With sales soaring at Weston Homes’ recent developments such as The Venue in Hayes, London borough of Hillingdon where the current release of homes is over 80% sold, the appeal of lower household bills, more outdoor space and access to a thriving community is encouraging buyers to snap up these more sustainable living opportunities.
The Venue is a £70.5 million (GDV) bespoke collection of 181 new homes, part of The Old Vinyl Factory in Hayes. Located at the heart of the new district, the three modern apartment buildings have a stylish façade, reaching seven storeys high, with 13,000sq. ft. of retail space on the ground floor, and form the final residential phase of The Old Vinyl Factory’s masterplan regeneration into a new sought-after district to live and work.
With housing accounting for 40% of the UK’s energy use it is imperative that this energy is used efficiently. 84% of new build homes have an A or B rating for energy efficiency compared with less than 4% of existing properties, according to Government EPC research and data. The average new home uses an approximately 100kwh/m2 per year as opposed to 259kwh/m2 per year in older homes.
New and sophisticated insulation methods are a key factor in reduced energy bills. The Venue has been constructed with British Offsite UNI Panel, a precision factory-made panelised wall system which provides excellent insulation levels wrapped tightly around the building, resulting in a thermally efficient and airtight home.
The Weston Homes design team carefully considers every element of their homes from insulation to airtight junctions and glazing to heating specifications, all in a bid to optimise energy efficiency. The less heat energy that escapes, the less energy is required from the heating system, reducing both CO2 emissions and running costs.
New build properties are associated with incurring less unforeseen costs than even relatively modern existing homes. They are bound by the UK Building Regulations giving peace of mind to homeowners. Each property is also covered by a two-year builder’s warranty followed by an eight-year structural warranty and there’s a customer services team a phone call away should there be any problems. Safety and security have been kept in mind at The Venue, and homes are built with the inclusion of smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and automatic sprinkler systems.
According to a recent YouGov survey 33% of British home buyers say the pandemic has made having a garden more important to them, with 25% of buyers seeking access to more green space than they currently have. The one, two and three-bedroom luxurious apartments at The Venue all have a private balcony or terrace and access to a private podium garden. The Venue is also within a two-mile radius of Sandgate Football Club, Hayes Hawks BMX Course and Lake Farm Country Skateboarding Park, providing further local opportunities to get out and get active. Also, less than four miles away is Stockley Park Golf Club, a picturesque, 18-hole tree-lined, championship golf course.
With many households now opting to entertain and socialise at home, buyers are keen to embrace spacious, open plan living. All apartments in The Venue feature open plan kitchen and living areas, providing a central hub for relaxing and entertaining. Weston Homes properties offer a market leading fully inclusive specification in every property to minimise those ‘start up’ costs of buying a home.
Kitchens are equipped with integrated fridge/freezer, washer/dryer and dishwasher, with energy saving ceramic hobs. These products have been chosen for their energy and water efficiency as well as their performance to help reduce CO2, waste and running costs. At The Venue buyers have the choice of quartz stone kitchen worktops and a wide range of designer Oakwood Kitchen units.
Suzanne Aplin, Group Sales & Marketing Director at Weston Homes says “The energy crisis is highlighting starkly the efficiency benefits and cost savings provided by new build homes. Energy efficiency is a growing priority for house hunters and the financial savings clearly demonstrate why. Venue provides an exceptional opportunity to purchase an energy efficient, affordable home within an exciting new district, whilst being secure in the knowledge that buyers are saving money in the face of the cost-of-living crisis by investing in a new build home.”
The Venue offers a selection of properties with the Discount Market Sale Scheme priced from £291,000 for a one-bedroom apartment, £351,000 for a two-bedroom apartment and £368,200 for a three-bedroom apartment. Discount Market Sale is a home ownership product designed to help eligible buyers get onto the property ladder with a 20% discount of the full market value (terms and conditions apply). Private for sale one and two-bedroom apartments are priced from £349,995.
