Member Article

Housebuilder pops its use of balloons for the environment

Barratt Homes’ Exeter Division has announced it will no longer use balloons at its events and developments across Devon and Cornwall as part of a new pledge to support the environment.

The move comes as the housebuilder heard that one of its balloons had ended up on Castle beach, Falmouth. It was spotted by local resident and Falmouth Marine Conservation member Carol Hurst, who alerted Barratt Homes and the company immediately leapt into action.

Helen Nattrass, who led on the investigation for Barratt Homes, said: “Looking after the environment is really important to us and we’re always on the lookout for measures we can take to reduce our impact on the country around us. When Carol kindly got in touch it really struck a chord with us and we realised that while balloons might be fun for families visiting our events, they can be devastating for marine life and that’s not good for our planet.

“As a result, our Exeter division has immediately banned the use of balloons. We’re also conducting a review of all of our promotional materials with our national head office and it’s hoped this could lead to a complete ban of balloons at Barratt Homes developments across the entire country, as well as reduction of other single-use plastics.”

Carol, from Mawnan Smith, said: “This is wonderful news for Cornwall and Devon, and I’m hoping this now becomes Barratt Homes’ general policy for the whole of the UK. It’s a small change but a big sign that the environment is taking greater priority.

“I am absolutely thrilled that my voice has been heard: it proves that, with a bit of perseverance and a passion to protect the environment, one person really can make a difference.”

Helen Nattrass added: “What this shows is that one person really can make a difference. We’re grateful to Carol for bringing this to our attention and proud that we were able to make a change so quickly.”

Barratt Homes’ Exeter division already has a range of measures in place to minimise its environmental impact. It is working to remove single use plastics at all of its sales offices, for example using swing top glass bottles that can be refilled with tap water and offering cordial to children instead of drinks in plastic bottles.

Printer cartridges and pens, plastic, cardboard and paper are all recycled and water butts are soon to be fitted to sales office and show homes on all new developments.

Already Barratt Homes has made significant progress in its bid to reduce its environmental impact. It has reduced construction waste relative to build area by 15 per cent from 2015 to 2018 and reduced carbon emissions relative to build area by 21 per cent over the same period.

According to its latest socio economic report Barratt Homes’ Exeter division planted or retained 30,730 trees or shrubs on its developments and created 16.2 hectares of public open space and private gardens last year. It also has a strategic partnership with the RSPB to help give nature a home on the communities it builds and aims to ensure net gains for biodiversity on all new developments.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Barratt Homes .