2 minutes reading time
(463 words)
Sustainable for Who? When Eco-Friendly Means Budget-Hostile
Property Matters – Tuesday 29th July at 1pm
We have all heard the sales pitch. Greener homes, lower energy bills, and a more sustainable future for all. Yet when it comes to affordability, especially for first-time buyers, the story is not quite so sunny.
This week on Property Matters, we will likely consider the real cost of building green and asking whether the current drive toward sustainability is pricing out the very people it was supposed to help.
With new-build flats increasingly constructed to meet ambitious environmental targets like EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) band C and above, or rated under BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method, a widely used standard for assessing environmental performance of buildings), costs are rising. These schemes may reflect strong eco credentials, yet buyers are the ones footing the bill.
And it is not just about the sticker price. Many would-be homeowners are discovering that flats, once seen as an accessible first rung on the ladder, are becoming harder to justify. More expensive to buy, more complex to maintain, and often burdened with long leaseholds and service charges, they are becoming less attractive, even when built to the highest environmental standards.
Worryingly, some developers appear to be treating sustainability targets as a box-ticking exercise. In some cases, the emphasis on carbon-cutting credentials has not been matched by quality finishes or sensible layouts. That raises the question: are we building homes for real people or just for compliance ratings?
This week, we will be joined by Wendy Gibson, an experienced voice in the property world who has followed these changes from both the buyer’s side and the wider market. Wendy brings a sharp eye for quality and a grounded understanding of how costs, both upfront and long-term, are influencing choices. She has spoken out previously on the poor build quality of some recent developments, and her insight will help us separate smart sustainability from expensive window dressing.
With fewer affordable homes available and the cost of sustainability passed directly to consumers, we are asking whether our eco goals are walking in step with financial reality. For many first-time buyers, the answer might already be no. And if their interest is starting to drift away from flats, then developers, planners and lenders may need to rethink where the real demand lies.
Hosted by Gareth Wax, with Hamish McLay and Wendy Gibson, join us live on Tuesday 29th July at 1pm as we look at what happens when doing the right thing for the planet makes it harder to find a place to live.
PS:
For content enquiries:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
For podcast/media info:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
We have all heard the sales pitch. Greener homes, lower energy bills, and a more sustainable future for all. Yet when it comes to affordability, especially for first-time buyers, the story is not quite so sunny.
This week on Property Matters, we will likely consider the real cost of building green and asking whether the current drive toward sustainability is pricing out the very people it was supposed to help.
With new-build flats increasingly constructed to meet ambitious environmental targets like EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) band C and above, or rated under BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method, a widely used standard for assessing environmental performance of buildings), costs are rising. These schemes may reflect strong eco credentials, yet buyers are the ones footing the bill.
And it is not just about the sticker price. Many would-be homeowners are discovering that flats, once seen as an accessible first rung on the ladder, are becoming harder to justify. More expensive to buy, more complex to maintain, and often burdened with long leaseholds and service charges, they are becoming less attractive, even when built to the highest environmental standards.
Worryingly, some developers appear to be treating sustainability targets as a box-ticking exercise. In some cases, the emphasis on carbon-cutting credentials has not been matched by quality finishes or sensible layouts. That raises the question: are we building homes for real people or just for compliance ratings?
This week, we will be joined by Wendy Gibson, an experienced voice in the property world who has followed these changes from both the buyer’s side and the wider market. Wendy brings a sharp eye for quality and a grounded understanding of how costs, both upfront and long-term, are influencing choices. She has spoken out previously on the poor build quality of some recent developments, and her insight will help us separate smart sustainability from expensive window dressing.
With fewer affordable homes available and the cost of sustainability passed directly to consumers, we are asking whether our eco goals are walking in step with financial reality. For many first-time buyers, the answer might already be no. And if their interest is starting to drift away from flats, then developers, planners and lenders may need to rethink where the real demand lies.
Hosted by Gareth Wax, with Hamish McLay and Wendy Gibson, join us live on Tuesday 29th July at 1pm as we look at what happens when doing the right thing for the planet makes it harder to find a place to live.
PS:
For content enquiries:
For podcast/media info:
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