Light

Sustainability

Through our lives, our involvement in the ocean and adventures in the mountains, Junnell’s directors are acutely aware of the impact of climate change.

Through our lives, our involvement in the ocean and adventures in the mountains, Junnell’s directors are acutely aware of the impact of climate change.

We first set foot on the Mer de Glace, France’s largest glacier, in the 1990s. The glacier’s shrinkage over the 30 years since eloquently demonstrates the reality of global warming.

Image of three men

As a business, we constantly try to incorporate practices that minimize our negative impact on the environment. We are motivated and committed to improve wherever possible, with the ultimate aim of achieving sustainable development.

Here are some examples:

Ending the use of fossil fuels in our homes

One early step was to stop using gas boilers and hobs altogether, ending the need to burn fossil fuels in our homes. Since 2014 we have designed and built super-insulated houses that use air-source heat pumps for heating and hot water, and induction hobs for cooking. We also encourage our customers to choose renewable electricity tariffs.

Image of heat pump on side of house
Image of electric vehicle charging point

Electric vehicle charging

In 2018 we installed our first EV charging points in preparation for the transition to electric mobility – years before government mandated any requirement. Every home we have built since then has at least one EV charging point.

Locally sourced materials

Our procurement process aims to source local materials in the construction of our buildings wherever possible. Reducing transportation emissions minimises environmental impact and supports the local economy.

Image of heat pump on side of house
Image of electric vehicle charging point

We place emphasis on the use of natural materials in our properties

Natural materials are often renewable and biodegradable. They have lower carbon footprints to their artificial counterparts, as they require less energy to produce.

Considering the circular economy in construction, many natural materials can be reused or repurposed.

Reinforcing country hedge at West Wittering

When we redeveloped a site surrounded by farmland at Cakeham Road, we paid careful attention to protecting, retaining and reinforcing the 2.5 m country hedge. Sections of damaged and diseased wood were removed, revealing several gaps. We invested over £20,000 in the necessary replacement plants to reinforce the hedge. This not only enhanced the visual landscape, but also completed a valuable wildlife corridor.

View project
Side view of house in field
Aerial view of land surrounded by large trees

Trees at Bosham

We’re big on trees! The planning permission for our development site in Bosham showed the whole of the western boundary being cleared. Although not prime specimens and suffering from neglect, we thought there were a number of trees along this prominent boundary that should be saved. Our tree surgeons worked carefully to remove dead, damaged and diseased wood. After some work to improve their health and shape, ten trees were retained in total. Five mature native trees were then sourced and planted to fill in any gaps, along with a 120 hornbeam hedging plants six feet in height to reinforce a natural boundary around the site.

View project

Quality landscapes and planting

Our commitment to quality landscaping at our developments goes well beyond anything required by the local planning authority. We continue to do more and more in this regard, with a particular emphasis on tree planting and biodiversity.

Image of the back of a house showing the landscaped garden
Image of a meadow

Nature pond and wildflower meadow

At a recent project on Chichester Harbour, the garden design for land either side of a private road incorporated a number of measures specifically to benefit nature and the ecosystem. On one side, a nature pond was established with dry-stone walling and on the other a wild-flower meadow. Even in the first season following completion, the area has become a haven for wildlife. An array of colourful birds is attracted to the seed heads throughout the season. The pond is alive with amphibians, and bats and swallows swoop down to feed at dusk.

View Skyfall project