Drum Launches Green Plan From the Top of the Spinnaker Tower

Green Initiative Proclaimed from the Spinnaker Tower

Drum Housing Association are strengthening their position as leaders in the drive to delivering environmentally sustainable homes and lifestyles for their residents, with the launch of their second groundbreaking Sustainability Strategy. The Strategy is to be celebrated 150 feet above the ground in the visitors gallery at PortsmouthҒs Spinnaker Tower, an appropriate location to present their vision for the future of environmental housing.

Drum are widely recognised within the housing industry as pioneers in the use of new eco-friendly technologies in newly built homes. The strategy makes further progress towards the significant reduction of emissions in new and existing housing stocks, the use of environmentally friendly building materials, reductions in energy costs to residents, supporting communities and empowering individuals to reduce their own eco-footprint.

Paul Ciniglio, Drums Innovations and Environmental Manager, has helped to guide the organisation towards the reality of sustainable homes and achievable policies. Paul believes that DrumҒs strategy is a benchmark for the housing sector. With growing pressure on sustainable resources and the increasing impact of greenhouse gases on global warming, our strategy lays out clear actions that will enable us to radically cut our impact on the environment. We have always been prepared to push new boundaries in our determination to find better ways to operate and the benefits are starting pay dividends  - in particular in the energy bills that residents are paying, and in more sustainable communities.Ӕ

Drum has recognised the need for residents to benefit from environmental improvements. By delivering energy alternatives that are cheaper to run, residents are able to make savings on their bills. By improving energy efficiency Drum meet their own environmental goals and provide lower cost energy for residents. The use of local renewable energy such as solar power, heat exchange systems and, potentially, wind energy, will ensure that existing homes generate at least 10% of their own energy requirements, while new development will provide 30% of their energy provision.

The strategy covers the wider environmental and social issues facing all our communities. Sandra Theakston, Director of Drum, sees the breadth of the strategy as critical to its success. She said, Our strategies are producing results because we have carefully considered the wider issues of a sustainable housing policy. Our actions not only effect the environment but also individual people and the communities they live in. It is not just about how we build houses but where houses are built, how people live, their needs, how they dispose of their rubbish, how they access information and how they feel about life in their community, all these form part of a truly sustainable policy.Ӕ

The new strategy will also deliver learning and volunteering opportunities, especially for vulnerable groups. It will also seek to improve employment prospects for communities by providing access to new skills and opportunities. Greater involvement with schools and colleges and organised sports will help to build opportunities for young people.

By working closely with like minded organisations such as EcoHomes within the industry, and external partners like the World Wildlife Fund and Greenpeace, Drum have drawn on the experience of others to help them compile this dynamic yet realistic approach to the future.

For a more detailed version of Drums Sustainability Strategy please contact Paul Ciniglio on 01730 403200

Main image top - Sandra Theckston, Director of Drum launches Drum's second Sustainability Strategy with help from two students from Grayshott School, who designed the winning designs for the document.