All you need to know about buying a new home with Crest Nicholson
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Building great places for our customers, communities and the environment
Crest Nicholson create well designed, high quality homes in sustainable communities
We are committed to safeguarding the natural environment by cutting greenhouse gas emissions, using resources responsibly and preserving and enhancing biodiversity across our developments. Our proactive approach not only reduces our environmental impact but also contributes to more sustainable and resilient communities for the future.
As the urgency to tackle climate change grows, we are committed to reducing our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in line with our science-based targets. Achieving net zero across our value chain by 2045 is a key priority and significant challenge. We are focused on mitigating and adapting to climate change, building long-term resilience.
Our Climate Change Policy sets out our commitment to minimising our climate impact, future proofing our homes and developments and supporting our customers in reducing their carbon footprint.
1 The target boundary includes biogenic land-related emissions and removals from bioenergy feedstocks.
In 2024, our scope 1 and 2 emissions were 3,105 tCO2e, an 18% reduction from 2023 and 63% lower than our 2019 baseline. Emissions intensity fell 12% to 1.83 tCO2e per 100 sq. m.
We cut site diesel emissions by 42% through better fuel management, early grid connections and right-sized generators. Hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) made up 46% of site diesel use and we use efficient Tier 5 telehandlers across our sites.
85% of our electricity remains on renewable tariffs, with a target of 100% by 2025 and most of our unmetered supplies have now transitioned to renewable electricity. Additionally, 82% of our Group car fleet is now electric or hybrid, up from 64% in 2023.
Materials and services make up 36% of our emissions and as emissions from home use decrease, supply chain emissions will become our largest carbon source. Collaboration is key and we engage suppliers on emissions data and reduction strategies and contribute to Future Homes Hub initiatives on embodied carbon.
Our homes(downstream emissions)Home energy use accounts for 62% of our emissions. We’re preparing for the Future Homes Standard (FHS) by expanding air source heat pump installations in 2025 and refining best practices. Our fabric-first approach improves thermal efficiency, and in 2024, 95% of our homes achieved an Environmental Impact rating of A or B, meeting our sustainability-linked RCF target.
The infographic details some of the fabric and technology specifications incorporated within our homes both now and beyond 2025.
For further detail on our performance against targets and other key metrics, please see our Annual Report and financial statements and our Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) data handbook.
We support the Financial Stability Board’s TCFD recommendations and disclose our progress in our CDP response and Annual Report and financial statements.
We are committed to reducing natural resource consumption, waste and the risk of pollution incidents across our business operations.
In 2024, we reduced total construction waste by 39% compared with 2023, generating 12,132 tonnes (2023: 19,975 tonnes). Waste intensity also decreased to 7.15 tonnes per 100 sq. m of completed floor area, reflecting a 26% reduction from our 2019 baseline and a 35% reduction compared with last year.
Further data on waste, including how we are performing against our targets, is provided in our Annual Report and financial statements and ESG data handbook.
FY23 saw the highest number of pallets returned since the launch of our pallet return scheme. In FY23 36,036 (FY22: 15,052) pallets were collected by our repatriation partner RPS.
“RPS pallets are extremely proud to partner with crest nicholson to manage their pallet return scheme. applying circular economy principles, we returned 18,431 pallets for reuse in the supply chain while the remaining 17,605 pallets were recycled. we look forward to strengthening our partnership in the future.”
Tom Hudson
Commercial Firector, RPS
Our homes are designed to use less than 105 litres per person per day (lpppd), 16% lower than the regulatory requirement of 125 lpppd. Our homes incorporate water-saving features such as dual-flush toilets, low-flow taps and showers and water meters, helping to reduce household water consumption.
At a development scale, we integrate sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) to build resilience against water scarcity and mitigate flood risk. SuDS, which reduce surface water runoff by using natural features like swales and attenuation ponds, not only improve water quality but also enhance biodiversity and create recreational spaces.
Biodiversity, which describes the variety of living species on our planet, is declining at an unprecedented rate. The 2023 State of Nature report highlighted that one in six species in Great Britain is at risk of extinction.
Across our new developments, we are committed to delivering a biodiversity net gain of at least 10%. We engage with ecologists across all developments at an early stage to consider effective protection and enhancement measures. By considering at the outset how or developments can enhance biodiversity, the need to provide new homes and improve social infrastructure can be balanced with environmental concerns, ensuring both people and nature can thrive.
Situated near Windsor, the development achieved planning consent in 2023 and will comprise of 135 homes, with 40% designated as affordable housing. Our South division actively engaged with our energy consultants to ensure high levels of fabric efficiency. The homes will incorporate air source heat pumps and apartments will utilise hot water heat pumps and electric panel heaters. GHG emissions will be 76% lower across the development than 2013 Building Regulations, aligning with the Future Homes Standard target. An additional financial contribution into a carbon offset fund will balance the residual emissions.
Our team worked in partnership with our ecologists and landscape architects to ensure that open spaces will provide a haven for wildlife and attractive recreational areas for residents. The development will create a 14% biodiversity net gain through the delivery of a wildflower meadow, an orchard, nature-based sustainable drainage and tree planting. Other features that support nature and the community include:
— Community allotments
— 50 swift bricks
— 50 bat bricks
— 10 bee homes
— Hedgehog highways
— Playground and informal play spaces throughout the development
— Attractive drainage features that are designed for informal recreational space, ecological benefits and water management during high rainfall events.
"In line with our commitment to sustainability, as well as delivering much needed new homes and affordable housing, we aim to make Windsor Gate a sustainable development for future generations."
Nicholas Daruwalla Land Director, South
We are committed to delivering attractive, high quality homes, excellent customer experience and a lasting positive legacy for our communities and the local environment.
