EXCLUSIVE Inside the 'greenest' new builds in Britain: These homes in Hardene Barns, Kent start at £1.25m
Too many new homes being built are 'unsustainable' before they've ever been lived in, two brothers and co-founders developing homes across Britain claim.
Damien and Michael Wynne, of Q New Homes, say that while some developers claim to be eco-conscious, many still use materials like concrete and steel.
The duo claim steel and concrete 'are some of the world's biggest carbon culprits.'
The pair added: 'Greener homes are simply better homes'.
Labour plans to build 1.5million homes by the end of parliament and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband recently said the Government would 'double down' on its environmental agenda and accused those against the move to net zero of 'making up nonsense and lies'.
This week , Miliband confirmed the Government was looking at plans to charge homes in the South more for electricity, after critics warned of a potential 'postcode lottery.'
Speaking to This is Money, the Wynne Brothers, said: 'Too many new homes are being fitted with renewable tech—like air-source heat pumps and solar panels—without getting the basics right first.
'This means future residents are left feeling like they've made eco-conscious choices, yet don't see the benefits reflected in their energy bills.
'Most new homes are still built with a "volume over values" mindset—cheap materials, minimal insulation, and no long-term thinking.
'The materials used by many developers—especially concrete and steel—are some of the world's biggest carbon culprits.
'Add in plastics, foams, and other synthetics that are cheap to use but almost impossible to recycle, and you've got homes that are unsustainable before they're even lived in.'
The brothers claim their new housing development, Hartdene Barns in Kent, is '15 years ahead of what current building regulations require in terms of energy efficiency, insulation and sustainability.'
The duo are both developers and main contractors at the site, using their own team for much of the work.
Most of the nine 'net-zero' properties are complete, but works are ongoing on some.
The homes are built to meet the targets of the Royal Institute of British Architects Climate Challenge.
Q New Homes claims Hardene Barns 'could be considered the greenest set of homes in the country.'
Prices for the homes start from £1.25million for a three-bedroom terraced house, moving up to £2.5million for a four-bedroom link detached barn.
The homes at Hartdene Barn have been constructed from structural insulated panels with gulam beams rather than steel, and low-carbon concrete.
The structurally insulated panels used to form the walls of the houses are hermetically sealed 'for optimism heat retention'. The panels, according to Q New Homes, release 40 per cent less carbon than conventional building materials.'
The homes at Hartdene Barns all have underfloor heating by an air source heat pump rather than a gas boiler, and each is fitted with up to 32 solar panels which should generate enough power to heat and light the properties 'for free virtually all year round.'
According to Q New Homes, this means residents of Hartdene Barns will have no electricity bills.
It said: 'The only utilities the owners need to pay for are water and broadband.'
Each property at Hartdene Barns also comes with a 'no-dig' allotment in a communal garden, meaning residents can grow their own fruit and vegetables for free and with zero food miles.
Nestled on a former dairy farm, the Hartdene Barns development is situated near Cowden, an historic village close to the point where the counties of Kent, East Sussex and Surrey meet.
The Wynne brothers said that their homes were 'built for long-term comfort, low running costs, and lasting environmental benefit.'
The pair added: 'What most developers don't realise is that just about every material in a typical home has a carbon-neutral alternative—even concrete.
'Hartdene Barns is net-zero by design—not just in energy use, but in how we source materials, reduce waste, and plan for the future. It's proof that when sustainability is the starting point, not an afterthought, we can build homes that work for families and the planet.
'It's time to stop building homes that become problems the minute people move in—too cold, too costly, too wasteful. Greener homes are simply better homes.'
Britain is legally committed to moving to net zero carbon emissions by 2050, which is a a goal set under a previous Conservative government.
As part of Angela Raynor and Ed Miliband's green plans, landlords will be forced to secure an energy performance certificate rating of C in all privately rented homes by 2030. They are currently required to have an EPC rating of E.
Labour has said that doing so could reduce the average tenant's energy bill by £240 per year, as well as improve the general quality of rented homes.
How to find a new mortgage
Borrowers who need a mortgage because their current fixed rate deal is ending, or they are buying a home, should explore their options as soon as possible.
Quick mortgage finder links with This is Money's partner L&C
> Mortgage rates calculator
> Find the right mortgage for you
What if I need to remortgage?
Borrowers should compare rates, speak to a mortgage broker and be prepared to act.
Homeowners can lock in to a new deal six to nine months in advance, often with no obligation to take it.
Most mortgage deals allow fees to be added to the loan and only be charged when it is taken out. This means borrowers can secure a rate without paying expensive arrangement fees.
Keep in mind that by doing this and not clearing the fee on completion, interest will be paid on the fee amount over the entire term of the loan, so this may not be the best option for everyone.
What if I am buying a home?
Those with home purchases agreed should also aim to secure rates as soon as possible, so they know exactly what their monthly payments will be.
Buyers should avoid overstretching and be aware that house prices may fall, as higher mortgage rates limit people's borrowing ability and buying power.
How to compare mortgage costs
The best way to compare mortgage costs and find the right deal for you is to speak to a broker.
This is Money has a long-standing partnership with fee-free broker L&C, to provide you with fee-free expert mortgage advice.
Interested in seeing today's best mortgage rates? Use This is Money and L&Cs best mortgage rates calculator to show deals matching your home value, mortgage size, term and fixed rate needs.
If you're ready to find your next mortgage, why not use L&C's online Mortgage Finder. It will search 1,000's of deals from more than 90 different lenders to discover the best deal for you.
Be aware that rates can change quickly, however, and so if you need a mortgage or want to compare rates, speak to L&C as soon as possible, so they can help you find the right mortgage for you.
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