For our Customers and Communities
We carefully consider the vital components that are essential for creating great places to live.
Crest Nicholson is committed to putting customers at the heart of our decision-making. Our business depends on us creating great places to live that provide affordable, carefully designed and well-built new homes and developments that stand the test of time.
From the earliest stages of designing a new development, we carefully consider the vital ingredients that are essential for creating great places to live for our customers and add value to existing local communities. No two development sites are the same and Crest Nicholson works closely with local stakeholders and planning authorities to ensure the development suits local needs.
There are many aspects to consider and plan when creating a great place to live. Our homes must be designed to blend harmoniously within the local setting whilst also creating green open spaces for residents to enjoy, as well as supporting nature and wildlife. Residents should have access to a variety of transport links and local amenities including schools, restaurants and shops. Social networks should be enabled and encouraged, allowing people to connect and communities to flourish.
We plan with the end in mind, thinking well beyond the point where we complete construction. Creating a legacy where there are suitable and affordable ways for a new community to manage their shared facilities over the long-term is an imperative for sustainable development.
Supporting local economies
Affordable homes High-quality design & community investment Green spaces and nature Sustainable transport
Supporting local economies
For every home we build, there's an economic benefit in terms of jobs created and increased local spending and activity, both during construction and after we have completed the development.
How we make it happen
During construction, the contracts we let to suppliers, contractors and tradespeople create and sustain jobs. Many of the developments we design and build provide new offices and shops, creating new workplaces to boost local employment.
- We generated £1.1bn in revenue, helping to support the growing UK economy.
- We placed orders for £368.1m for materials and labour; £103.8m of this was spent on suppliers and subcontractors within 20 miles of our sites.
Find out more about how our activity creates local opportunities.
Unless otherwise stated, this information covers developments and homes built during the year ended 31st October 2019.
Affordable Homes
Housing affordability across the UK remains a challenge for prospective buyers, the UK government and the housing industry. Interest rates remain low, but real wage growth is slower than house price inflation.
How we are responding
We have made a conscious effort to provide a wider mix of tenures on our developments that includes affordable housing, homes for the Private Rented Sector and shared ownership. We are actively working with Registered Providers and investors to deliver this.
- We delivered 2,912 homes in 2019, up 4% on 2018.
- 471 of these new homes were affordable homes, either through shared ownership or social and affordable housing.
Find out more about how we work to safeguard the natural environment.
Unless otherwise stated, this information covers developments and homes built during the year ended 31st October 2019.
High quality design & community investment
A great place to live, work and play is something we all want: a well-designed home surrounded by green open spaces to relax in, leisure facilities to enjoy with our families, and jobs and shops within reach.
How we make it happen
Everything we do is based on high-quality design and planning, centred on the needs and desires of our customers and the wider community.
We help new communities to establish and thrive by making contributions to improving the local social infrastructure. The money goes towards affordable housing, roads, schools, surgeries, neighbourhood centres, play areas and other shared amenities.
- We committed to contribute £196m through Section 106 & Community Infrastructure Levy payments towards a variety of community initiatives, such as education, libraries, leisure and sports facilities.
- We have set up 5 Community Interest Companies to date. These are not-for-profit social enterprises that give new communities a way to maintain and manage neighbourhood centres, play areas and other shared assets.
- 48% of our developments have play areas for children to enjoy, while 11% of developments have allotments for families to grow fruit and vegetables.
Find out more about how we create sustainable communities.
Unless otherwise stated, this information covers developments and homes built during the year ended 31st October 2019.
Green spaces and nature
Academic studies have shown that green spaces with a diversity of species are valuable not just for the environment, but for human health and wellbeing too. This is just one of the reasons we take great care in creating inviting, green open spaces that enhance local nature and wildlife, while also being enjoyable spaces for people to enjoy.
How we make it happen
We have set an ambition to ensure that all our developments bring together ecology, landscaping, and surface water management in a way that adds value to the area, building on what was already there or creating new enhancements. This ambition is supported by a suite of initiatives, including ecology management plans for sites and a Minimum Standards Framework for Ecological Features to assist ecologists in working with us.
- 76% of our developments have been built with Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems – solutions that manage surface water runoff using a natural approach.
- 67% of our developments introduced initiatives to protect or enhance local ecology.
- 64% of our developments feature green spaces for people and nature to enjoy.
Find out more about how we are making space for nature at Centenary Quay.
Unless otherwise stated, this information covers developments and homes built during the year ended 31st October 2019.
Sustainable transport
We want our customers to have a range of transport choices. We also want to make sure that more people using local roads won't have a negative impact for the existing community.
How we make it happen
We look to develop in areas with good access to transport and amenities, and we work with local partners to plan the right transport mix to meet local needs. This might include cycle paths, a new bus service, and even new charge points for electric cars. But, it's not just about wheels – we also aim to make our developments very walkable, with appealing and well-lit pedestrian routes.
- 30% of our developments benefitted from sustainable travel initiatives, including car clubs, travel coordinators and public transport vouchers.
- 65% of our homes have access to a bus service that’s no more than 500 metres away, and 91% are within 1,500 metres (a 20 minute walk).
- 58% of all our homes have secure cycle storage and we introduced cycle routes on 35% of developments.
- 9% of our homes have access to electric vehicle charging points.
Unless otherwise stated, this information covers developments and homes built during the year ended 31st October 2019.
