Design and quality

As a Strategic Partner of the Homes and Communities Agency, the Group is committed to developing homes that meet, at the very least, the minimum requirements of the latest Homes and Communities Agency standards where grant is being provided to support the development opportunity.

Where grant is not being obtained, the Group has worked internally to look at minimum standards, which deem to be acceptable and works with partner developers and house builders to achieve these standards when developments are being designed and passed through the planning system.

The group is committed to the ‘sustainability’ agenda and is working with developers to provide homes that cost less to run as well as cost less to build. The Government’s Environmental Code and the focus on zero carbon homes are key drivers for the group. Circle, however, is keen to seek out affordable and desirable solutions to these challenges on a scheme by scheme basis and does not believe one solution will fit all types of development. Our approach is one of flexibility and working with our key partners to achieve the best end results.

The Group recognises the benefits of developing homes in line with the standards set out in the Sustainable Code, but also recognises the additional costs of doing so. Circle will therefore continually seek out innovative solutions to increasing energy efficiency of homes that are developed and reducing running costs for tenants. The Group will follow a strategy of working with key developing partners to meet these objectives whilst looking for ways to reduce cost without sacrificing standards.

Circle develops across a wide range of geographical area from rural exception sites through to high density city centre living. We recognise the need for a flexible approach to development looking at each scheme location / position / environment, etc. The Group focuses very much on the long term management and occupation of dwellings when considering design and looks to the Circle Living commercial arm of Circle (formerly Commercial Services Circle Anglia) to consider the management of the realm in the long term, through the formation of management companies. Our in-house expertise and cost effective solutions to long term management of communal areas and the realm as a whole are built into the development process to assist in the formation of cohesive and sustainable communities.

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