For our Customers and Communities

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 High quality design & community investment Green spaces and nature Sustainable transport

Close

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 £997m in revenue, helping to support the growing UK economy.
• We placed orders for £688.6m for materials and labour; £433.8m of this was spent on suppliers and subcontractors within 50 miles of our sites.
• We built 122,501^sqft of commercial space on our developments where new offices, shops, surgeries and other businesses could open.

Find out more about how our activity creates local opportunities.

Unless stated otherwise, this information covers new developments and homes built during the year ended 31st October 2016.

Close

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.

• A significant amount of our turnover (14.4% in the last financial year) goes into social infrastructure. This included £744.5m towards affordable housing and £21.2m on community, leisure and sports facilities.
• We have set up two 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.

Find out more about how we create sustainable communities.

Unless stated otherwise, this information covers new developments and homes built during the year ended 31st October 2016.

Close

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.

• 63% of our developments have been built with Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems – solutions that manage surface water runoff using a natural approach.
• 75% of our developments introduced initiatives to protect or enhance local ecology.
• 67% 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 stated otherwise, this information covers new developments and homes built during the year ended 31st October 2016.

Close

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.

• 42% of our homes benefitted from sustainable transport initiatives, including car clubs, cycle routes, and public transport vouchers.
• 90% of our homes have access to a bus service that's no more than 500 metres away, and 44% are within 1,500 metres (a 20 minute walk) to a train service.
• 61% of all our homes have been provided with secure cycle storage.
• 12% of our homes have access to electric car charging points.

Find out more about the sustainable features we put in place in the Creating Great Places to Live tab in Our Data.

Unless stated otherwise, this information covers new developments and homes built during the year ended 31st October 2016.