Weston Group, which includes volume housebuilder Weston Homes, Weston Business Centres and offsite construction firm British Offsite, is setting its sights on a greener horizon.

The group is aiming to achieve net-zero carbon emissions across all its operations by 2040 for all three greenhouse gas emission scopes, including all of the energy that the group uses and the carbon it emits.

In its latest Sustainability Statement and Report, Weston Group says that this 2040 commitment to net zero emissions is both within the business - at its Stansted headquarters, Essex build-offsite factories and on its development sites and other premises across London and the South East.  

The commitment to sustainability is leading to tangible changes across the business, such as improving the environmental credentials of the company's head office and car fleet. The group is also driving the expansion of its offsite construction capabilities with a new MMC factory in Braintree and the incorporation of eco-friendly construction techniques across its development projects.

The proactive green stance of Weston Group has not gone unnoticed. In 2022, the company scooped the Gold Award for Best Medium-Sized Housebuilder at the annual WhatHouse? Awards. This accolade reflects their commitment to designing and delivering projects that balance high-quality housebuilding with environmental sustainability.

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Sustainability isn't a mere buzzword at Weston Group; it's ingrained in their business ethos. Their 'Fabric First' policy, which emphasises the use of sustainable building components, is a cornerstone of their operation. Alongside this, the firm ensures all developments are fitted with eco-friendly features, from biodiverse and brown roofs to rooftop PV panels powering buildings, to high-efficiency ventilation systems and low-energy lighting.

18 months ahead of the Government's 2025 ban on gas boiler installation, Weston Group has stopped fitting individual gas boilers in its new developments. This decision aligns the company with future-focused sustainability initiatives.

The 'Fabric First' approach also extends to their offsite manufacturing capabilities, spearheaded by group company British Offsite. Their new £45 million 'Horizon' factory at the Horizon Business Park in Braintree, built in collaboration with Swedish engineering firm Randek AB, is a testament to this. With state-of-the-art robotic manufacturing, it produces lightweight steel panel systems for superstructures and internal fit-outs of various developments.

In line with their eco-credentials, the factory utilises steel frames containing 38% recycled steel, eschewing the need for forest timber. This manufacturing approach ensures adherence to new fire regulations and allows for efficient monitoring of build quality.

But sustainability at Weston Group doesn't stop at offsite construction; it's firmly rooted in their headquarters and development sites too. The firm is transitioning its entire company car fleet to be fully electric, with 90% of the switch completed. Once fully realised, this will see over 150 electric vehicles in the corporate fleet.

Weston Group’s commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions isn’t just a lofty goal; it's a practical and systematic effort to integrate sustainable practices into their day-to-day operations.

By making sustainability a core part of their ethos, Weston Group is demonstrating that it's not only possible but also beneficial to balance successful business operations with environmental stewardship. This is a commendable blueprint for the future of housebuilding in Britain.

Bob Weston, Chairman & Managing Director of Weston Group commented: “For over three decades we have continually striven to produce innovative, high-quality homes to appeal to purchasers from all walks of life. There is now a strong “green premium” from homebuyers, who are increasingly aware of the importance of environmental sustainability and also want energy efficient homes which are designed to help minimise their fuel bills and running costs. This is why Weston Group is committed to combining traditional building skills with the very latest technologies in an ongoing desire to support sustainable living.”

For more information about Weston Homes please contact Tel: 01279 873 333 or visit weston-homes.com.

Photo: British Offsite Horizon Factory in 2023.