Our energy efficient development Buttercross Place in March, Cambridgeshire is setting a new standard for sustainable, affordable housing with the introduction of homes built to the anticipated Future Homes Standard, part of a broader scheme delivering both environmental innovation and meaningful community benefits.
As part of the 50-home development, two homes have been built by contractor Burmor Construction to their interpretation of the Future Homes Standard, an initiative introduced by Government in 2019 to phase out fossil fuel heating and significantly cut carbon emissions in new builds. These properties feature air source heat pumps, enhanced wall and roof insulation, and triple-glazed windows making them significantly more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.
The remaining 48 homes on the scheme are also being built to high energy efficiency standards, all achieving EPC A ratings.
To understand real-world performance, monitoring equipment, sourced via AICO HomeLink, is being installed in the Future Homes plots and four comparable properties. These smart sensors capture data on temperature, humidity, and CO₂ levels, offering insights into indoor air quality and risks like mould growth. The devices are also connected to smart meters to analyse energy consumption and heat loss across different build types.
The monitoring project will run for at least a year to capture seasonal performance and provide a comprehensive picture of how well the homes meet design expectations.
The development is delivering 50 Affordable Rent homes comprising of
- 2 x 2-bed bungalows
- 22 x 2-bed houses
- 24 x 3-bed houses
- 2 x 4-bed houses
With a total scheme cost of £12.35 million, the project is supported with grant from Accent’s Strategic Partnership with Homes England. The scheme is being constructed using Modern Methods of Construction, using timber frame, whole-panellised systems to deliver efficient, high-quality homes at pace.
Construction started in February 2023, with the first homes handed over at the end of July 2025 and completion due by early November. The Future Homes plots were handed over on week commencing 4 August.
Steve Morris, Interim Executive Director of Development & Sales at Accent Housing: “This project demonstrates what’s possible when forward-thinking design meets collaboration. We’re proud to be taking steps towards building homes that aren’t just energy-efficient, but also healthier places for people to live.”
Tina Iball, Accent’s Sustainability Lead: "This is more than just bricks and mortar, it’s a data-driven approach to delivering healthy and sustainable homes. We want to ensure these homes perform as expected post-occupancy, and work with our customers to create living environments that are comfortable, cost-effective, and resilient, to ensure we deliver quality homes for a low carbon future. "
