Greencore Homes breaks ground by developing a new community of 65 homes

 Thursday, November 6, 2025

Greencore Homes, an award-winning sustainable housebuilder, has officially marked the start of construction on its latest ground-breaking residential scheme in the historic village of Launton, Oxfordshire. Located on Station Road, this 5.8-acre site is set to redefine modern, eco-conscious residential development, delivering a new community of 65 high-performance homes.

One developer is not just aiming for ‘net-zero,’ but striving for something significantly more ambitious: ‘Better Than Net Zero.’ The core philosophy of the Launton development is encapsulated in its ‘Better Than Net Zero’ objective. This goes beyond the traditional concept of net-zero—which often relies on offsets—by ensuring that the homes are fundamentally designed to eliminate carbon emissions from the outset and produce more energy than they consume annually.

This is achieved through a multi-faceted approach, starting with a ‘fabric-first’ strategy and extending to holistic energy generation and material selection.

• Ultra-low embodied carbon: A critical differentiator is the focus on low embodied carbon. While operational carbon (emissions from heating and power once a house is occupied) has been the traditional focus for decarbonisation, embodied carbon (emissions produced during the manufacture, transport, and construction of materials) is now recognised as a noteworthy contributor to a building’s whole-life impact. Greencore Homes is tackling this head-on by constructing each property using natural, low-impact, and less-carbon-intensive materials, significantly reducing the carbon footprint embedded in the physical structure of the buildings themselves.
• Passivhaus gold standard: All 65 homes, which will offer a mix of two, three, and four-bedroom properties, are being built to rigorous Passivhaus standards. This world-leading methodology is crucial for future-proofing properties, ensuring exceptional levels of insulation, airtightness, and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery. The result is a home that requires minimal energy for heating and cooling, offering residents a consistently healthy, comfortable living environment.
• Energy generation and efficiency: To achieve the ‘Better Than Net Zero’ energy balance, these EPC-A rated homes will integrate optimal renewable energy systems, including high-specification solar photovoltaic (PV) panels. This combination of radically reduced energy demand (via Passivhaus principles) and on-site renewable generation ensures the homes are designed to generate as much clean energy as they use over the course of a year, leading to minimal, or even zero, running costs for heating and power.

This development in Launton, a quintessential Oxfordshire village noted in the Domesday Book, is a living example of how the housing industry can actively contribute to the UK’s zero-carbon transition.

Laura Stone, Chief Operating Officer at Greencore Homes, highlighted the importance of this integrated approach: “At Greencore Homes, we are setting a new standard for sustainable living, not just building houses. Our Station Road development in Launton perfectly demonstrates our commitment to delivering Better Than Net Zero homes—blending optimal renewable energy systems with natural, low-impact materials. These properties are meticulously designed to be healthy, comfortable, and highly cost-effective for their future residents, while making a meaningful impact on the journey toward a zero-carbon future.”

In collaboration with A’Bear and Ball Architects and Edge Urban Design, the project’s commitment to sustainability extends far beyond the four walls of each home. A fundamental element of the site plan is the provision of significant ecological benefits for the local area.

The scheme is set to deliver a projected 23% biodiversity net gain (BNG), a target that significantly surpasses the upcoming mandatory 10% requirement under the UK’s Environment Act 2021. This substantial ecological improvement is being achieved through the preservation and enhancement of large areas of existing woodland, the creation of new public green spaces, and the introduction of new recreational walking routes that connect the community with nature. By ensuring a positive BNG, the development guarantees that local wildlife habitats will be left in a measurably better state than they were before construction began on the previous farmland.

The new development is thoughtfully positioned to integrate seamlessly with the thriving, existing community of Launton, which offers residents local amenities such as traditional pubs, a coffee shop, a primary school, and a village hall. The strategic location also provides excellent regional connectivity, being just a short drive from the major hub of Bicester. From Bicester, residents benefit from exceptional transport links, including a direct train service to London Marylebone in under an hour, making the location highly attractive for those balancing a modern commute with a sustainable, village lifestyle.

The first ‘Better Than Net Zero’ homes at Station Road, Launton, are anticipated to be ready for occupation by Autumn 2026, offering a tangible vision of the UK’s low-carbon residential future. This project serves as a clear blueprint for developers across the country, proving that market-leading energy efficiency, radically low embodied carbon, and significant ecological enhancement are not just desirable add-ons but achievable, profitable, and necessary components of the 21st-century housing industry.

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Tags: Better Than Net Zero, Eco-Friendly Development, Greencore Homes Launton, Low Embodied Carbon Homes, Oxfordshire New Build