Greencore Homes has submitted proposals for a new Better Than Net Zero housing development in Haddenham, Buckinghamshire. The planning application follows Greencore Homes’ selection as development partner for the site by Richborough in November 2024.
Designed with award-winning architects HTA Design, the scheme proposes the delivery of 89 better than net zero homes, including 27 affordable homes – with shared home ownership opportunities also available.
Following extensive community engagement, the plans will create a new ‘end’ for the town that is contextual and sympathetic to Haddenham’s architectural heritage and character.
Greencore is well known for its focus on nature and wildlife and its application proposes a carefully landscaped masterplan that prioritises access to nature, retaining valuable existing habitats that provide a green corridor running through the scheme. Landscape proposals include a new village green, a children’s play area and generous landscape buffers to development boundaries. Overall, the new landscape design will lead to a 12.87% net gain in biodiversity.
Greencore builds its better than net zero homes using pioneering closed timber frame panels insulated with natural materials, which ensure a net zero carbon balance is achieved in operation through exceptional energy efficiency. This in turn provides lower bills for residents.
In contrast to conventional brick construction, each home’s structure captures more carbon than it releases during the building and life cycle process. Built to standards aligning with Passivhaus, these homes feature exceptional insulation that minimises energy requirements while incorporating advanced ventilation systems that enhance indoor air quality and resident comfort.
The planning application follows a busy summer for Greencore Homes as it ramps up its delivery of 10,000 homes by 2035. In July, it announced a new £8m partnership with Homes England to deliver 42 new homes in Oxfordshire at Milton Heights. This followed the Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner, launch of the government’s new measures to turbocharge housebuilding for small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) builders at the same site.
Greencore’s Head of Planning and Sustainability Ness Scott stated
“Our exciting proposals for Haddenham demonstrate the value of building strong partnerships with both the local community and local authority. Working closely with local stakeholders and Buckinghamshire Council, Greencore and HTA have been able to develop proposals that truly respond to local needs and character, while bringing to Haddenham a new climate positive place.”
Greencore’s Partnerships and Investment Director Oliver Luard stated
“As we expand our portfolio across the Home Counties and the Oxford – Cambridge Arc, to achieve our target of building 10,000 better than net zero homes by 2035, our focus on building strong local relationships will remain fundamental to the delivering of developments that genuinely enhance the areas where we build”.