Bedzed Ecovillage - a case study

What is BedZED?

BedZED – or Beddington Zero Energy Development - is an environmentally-friendly, energy-efficient mix of housing and work space in Beddington, Sutton. It is one of the first developments in the UK to try to incorporate up-to-the-minute thinking on sustainable development into every aspect of their scheme.

Why ‘Zero Energy’?

BedZED only uses energy from renewable sources generated on site. It is the first large-scale ‘carbon neutral’ community - i.e. the first not to add to the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Some features include:

• Building materials selected from natural, renewable or recycled sources, and where possible from within a 35-mile radius of the site.
• A combined heat and power unit able to produce all the development’s heat and electricity from tree waste (which would otherwise go to landfill.
• Energy-efficient design - south-facing houses that make the most of the heat from the sun, excellent insulation and triple-glazed windows.
• A water strategy able to cut mains consumption by a third, by using water-saving appliances and making the most of rain and recycled water.
• A green transport plan which aims to reduce reliance on the car by cutting the need for travel (eg through internet shopping links and on-site facilities) and providing alternatives to driving such as a car pool.
• Recycling bins in every home.

The social dimension

BedZED is a city ecovillage, demonstrating the creative use of brownfield land. As well as the ecological dimension, BedZED is providing a mix of high and low cost housing – for rent and to buy - so that the community is varied and socially inclusive.