Barratt Homes has welcomed Sarah Dyke, MP for Somerton and Frome, to its first gas-free site in the country to see the housebuilder’s approach to energy-efficient housing.

The MP was taken on a tour of the near sell-out site by the team from Barratt David Wilson Homes South West including land director, John Parry and Delamare Park’s site manager, Neil Dipple.

Sarah Dyke MP said: “The Liberal Democrats are committed to cutting greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2045, so it’s very encouraging to see that one of the country’s biggest housebuilders is taking the climate crisis seriously, protecting the natural environment and incorporating energy efficient technology into new homes in Somerton and Frome. I hope other builders follow this lead.”

John Parry added: “It was a privilege to welcome Sarah Dyke MP to Delamare Park and show her the energy-efficient properties we’re building across her constituency. Delamare Park demonstrates that it’s possible to successfully balance the demands for quality housing with the need to protect the environment. This site will pave the way for future schemes by Barratt Developments and set the standard for environmentally responsible housing in the South West region and beyond.”

Barratt Developments was the first major national housebuilder to set science-based targets and has committed to reducing direct carbon emissions by 29% by 2025. Barratt Developments, parent company of Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes, has also announced that it will achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions in its own operations by 2040 – becoming the first major housebuilder to make this commitment.

Delamare Park is Barratt Homes’ first development with no gas supply or connection on site, with all 82 properties fitted with air source heat pumps as standard.

Designed specifically for UK homes, the Ecodan air source heat pumps installed at Delamare Park have an ErP (Energy Related Products Directive) A++ performance rating and can be controlled via a smartphone, tablet or computer. Using cloud-based technology, the air source heat pumps can also be accessed remotely for maintenance and technical support.

The development also includes electric car charging provision and more than three acres of open space, as well as measures to support local wildlife including the planting of 178 new trees, the creation of hedgehog highways and a five-metre ecological boundary, which will be preserved for nature.

Source: Showhouse