Latimer sees 50% rise in fossil-fuel-free homes as sustainability results surge in 2025/26
Latimer, the development arm of Clarion Housing Group, has published its Sustainability Report 2025/26, revealing a year of significant progress across its new homes and developments.
The proportion of completed homes free from fossil fuel heating rose by more than half year on year, from 61.5% to 93.2%, while operational carbon intensity fell by more than half.
Energy performance also improved, with 96.5% of completed homes achieving an EPC B rating or above, up from a low of 78% the previous year, and upfront embodied carbon improving to an average of 538 kgCO₂e/m².
These results were achieved in a year when 89.3% of Latimer's completed homes were affordable tenures. Projects granted planning permission during the year delivered an average biodiversity net gain of 33.6%, well ahead of the 10% mandatory requirement, while construction waste fell by 33% to 6.79 tonnes per 100m², with 99.7% diverted from landfill.
"The need for more affordable homes is urgent, but how we build them matters as well. These results show that lower-carbon homes, stronger biodiversity and meaningful community benefits can be part of delivery rather than treated as extras.
"This year's report shows we are making good progress, while being clear that there is more to do. Our focus continues to be on applying what works consistently across our pipeline, alongside our partners and supply chain."
Richard Cook, Chief Development Officer at Clarion Housing Group
The report also shows that almost £28m of social value was generated during 2025/26, externally assured through HACT's audit and certification process, as Latimer continues to work towards its target of delivering £90m in social value across communities by 2030. Latimer's strategy supported 149 apprenticeships, created 104 jobs and delivered 640 hours of green-skills training across its supply chain.
Miles Lewis, Director of Sustainability at Clarion Housing Group, said:
"Year-on-year reporting helps us see where changes in design and delivery are producing better outcomes. The increase in fossil-fuel-free homes and progress on carbon, biodiversity and waste are encouraging.
"The next step is to deepen that consistency across our programme, using better data, clear standards and closer work with our project teams and supply chain."
Latimer was named the UK's most sustainable housebuilder after topping the NextGeneration Benchmark 2024/2025, securing both the Gold Award for sustainability performance and the Crystal Award for transparency in reporting.