Building a greener planet – Three ways property developers can adopt to tackle the climate crisis

April 30 2022

Building a greener planet – Three ways property developers can adopt to tackle the climate crisis

As the climate crisis reaches a record peak, we must all take action.

Of course, we can and should, all do our bit, whether it is recycling or switching our television off standby; however for property developers, there is much more that we can do by making large changes to our development projects that will positively impact the environment for years to come.

When building or converting a property, it is not just about making a profit. Many of us want to leave a legacy for our children or  a mark on the world. By following this article and researching ways that you can make your developments sustainable, you will leave an impact on the planet that you can be proud of.

Building with renewable resources

If you are serious about sustainability,  we recommend that you account for this in the early stages of your project. Doing so will  allow you to plan the build in advance, selecting building materials that are better for the environment. Some alternative examples for developers to consider are recycled steel beams, bamboo flooring instead of hardwood and wood foam insulation over wool/fibreglass.

However, despite the obvious benefits to the environment, utilising these materials may also have an additional  benefit for you as you will be able to  promote your new build developments as sustainable, thus potentially receiving a higher interest in them as they are  ‘different’ from just another new build home. Because they are different, buyers will be willing to pay more whilst also feeling they are doing their part for the planet.

Repurposing old buildings

Repurposing old buildings is like recycling but on a grander scale. Rather than building more homes on vacant land, we can make use of the existing builds that we already have. There is no shortage of run-down pubs, clubs and offices that are slowly going to ruin

These old units become an eyesore to the community and, if they are not developed or refurbished, then they will eventually need to be knocked down. By taking these buildings and converting them into beautiful new homes, we rejuvenate the area and maintain green spaces within our communities.

Besides the moral benefits of repurposing old buildings, there are also benefits to you. Firstly, it is typically easier to get planning on existing units (provided they’re not listed) as councils want to get rid of deteriorating properties. By offering to remove these unsightly and unwanted buildings  and convert them into homes, can only be seen as favourable by the council and the locals too.

Old buildings, especially halls and mills, have a unique design. By repurposing them, we can keep their unique character in our development plans giving our newly built homes a quirky appearance which in turn makes them stand out on selling sites, increasing their value in the eyes of buyers/tenants.

Going electric

The government plans to scrap petrol cars, so leverage this. Get ahead of the curve and look at implementing electric car charging ports into your developments. On the subject of electricity,  look at how you can generate more of it sustainably. Small implementations can be added to your developments which will make a huge difference to the environment. Adding solar panels to the roof of your units is just one small example.

If you are serious about the environment,  look at other ways of generating renewable energy. Small wind turbines and air source heat pumps are now available to be used as power sources for homes. This is even more attractive for buyers and tenants as great money saving options especially in the rising energy crisis as ways to cut down costs on heat and electricity are big things on people’s minds currently.

A developer with a difference

If you’re looking to invest in a development project or sell your land, then do it through a developer that cares. Sustainability is one of our key values that we hold at the core of our business.

At Bey-Perrin, we genuinely care about the environment and the people that we work with. We want to build a better future and we want to do it with you. Contact us today by clicking here. 

We will talk you through each of our development projects and help you to find one that is right for you. 

If you are looking to sell your land, then we will complete a free appraisal and present you with our workings. Contact us today to book an informal chat with us..