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This innovative project transforms a former furniture factory and brownfield site into a community of 23 ultra-low-carbon homes, setting a new standard for eco-friendly living in the region.
Initiated by Square Circle Developments, Driftwood Mews aims to provide high-quality, environmentally conscious housing. The development replaces outdated industrial buildings with modern, energy-efficient homes designed to sit comfortably within the residential landscape of Westgate-on-Sea.
Designed by OSG Architecture, taking inspiration from the former factory building, the project emphasises sustainability without compromising on comfort or aesthetics.
Square Circle Developments’ Graham Ross is the man behind the project: “The opportunity to build new homes to a high environmental standard on a brownfield site, was a challenge we felt compelled to take,” he explains. “Our ambition was to create low-carbon homes that are both architecturally appealing and genuinely affordable, offering comfortable living, low maintenance, and minimal energy costs.”
The project team approached the site as an opportunity to test what is possible when prioritising environmental performance from day one. Each home is constructed with super-insulated timber frames, enhancing thermal efficiency and reducing embodied carbon.
Air source heat pumps, photovoltaic panels, and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) are standard across all units. Selected homes also benefit from wastewater heat recovery systems, an additional layer of performance that supports net-zero operational goals.
“By researching innovative materials and engaging experienced architects, specialist contractors, and technical advisors, we were able to deliver homes that meet both our sustainability and design aspirations,” Ross says.
Throughout the build, attention to detail and construction quality have been fundamental. These principles have guided every decision, ensuring that sustainability is not just a design feature, but is embedded in the fabric and ethos of the development.
The homes are designed to achieve net-zero operational carbon, generating as much energy as they consume. This is backed by an A+ Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating, a rare distinction that underlines the scheme’s credentials. The result is not just a reduced carbon footprint, but meaningful long-term cost savings for homeowners.
Emma, a resident of Driftwood Mews, explains: “We were attracted to the development by its design and the thoughtful sustainable aspects of the houses that protect the environment and reduce our energy costs to a minimum. Our house has the benefit of solar panels, a MVHR system and also waste water heat recovery.
“The space is light and airy with full length windows, living in a low-carbon home is very comfortable throughout the year. Careful consideration on the choice of materials to give minimal maintenance and underpin the 10-year new build warranty and peace of mind.”
Sustainable living extends beyond the homes themselves. Beyond individual homes, Driftwood Mews promotes a sustainable community ethos. Located a short walk from Westgate train station, with connections to London, the development encourages low-carbon commuting.
Electric vehicle (EV) charging points and secure cycle storage are provided as standard, while the proximity to local amenities, including shops, schools, and the beach, supports a walkable, community-focused lifestyle. Residents can enjoy the benefits of coastal living while contributing to environmental preservation.
Reflecting on the delivery of Driftwood Mews, Ross highlights a number of key lessons learned. “Delivering an ultra-low carbon development has been a steep and constant learning curve, with valuable lessons at every stage.
"One of the most persistent issues has been the coordination of utilities – they operate on timescales completely misaligned with construction programmes, resulting in delays beyond our control and inevitably impacting programme and cost.
"Financing has also been a major hurdle. The upfront capital required before a single home is sold is substantial, and the additional costs of integrating high-performance, energy-saving technologies, while still having to compete on price in the wider market, creates real tension in the viability equation.
“Perhaps most surprisingly, one of the biggest challenges has been communicating the long-term value of low-carbon homes to both selling agents and buyers. Despite soaring energy prices, translating reduced operational costs and enhanced environmental performance into something that resonates at the point of sale remains a work in progress.”
Driftwood Mews serves as a pioneering example of how thoughtful design and sustainable practices can converge to create liveable, low-impact communities. It demonstrates that achieving net-zero carbon living is feasible, even on constrained brownfield sites. It is also desirable, offering a blueprint for future housing projects aiming to balance environmental responsibility with quality of life.
As phase one completes and phase two progresses, the scheme continues to attract interest from forward-thinking residents and investors. A number of units have already been acquired by sustainability-conscious buyers, including one investor who has purchased multiple homes.
“As a property company focused on residential investments we were attracted to the Driftwood Mews development for several reasons,” a property investor explains. “Firstly, the design has concentrated on energy efficiency and low maintenance, which has helped us to rent the homes quickly and gives us trouble free and happy tenants.
“Secondly the A+ EPC ratings for the homes meets and exceeds the requirements for letting property and with tightening standards provides us with an assurance of rentability without any future retrofitting, and thirdly over and above the 10- year warranty the attention to detail and quality of the construction gives us peace of mind and again, happy tenants.”
Driftwood Mews sets a high standard for the integration of climate-resilient design, technical performance, and market realism. It offers a clear demonstration that ultra-low-carbon development can deliver long-term value – environmental, social, and economic – when backed by vision, rigour and commitment.
Author: Greg Chant-Hall, CEnv, FIEMA, director at Square Gain
