Building Sustainable Communities with Glenveagh Barnhall Meadows, Leixlip, Co. Kildare
Glenveagh believes that everyone should have access to high-quality homes in flourishing communities and is determined that its contribution to that great endeavour is delivered in context of the highest standards of environmental stewardship and responsible business. Glenveagh’s Sustainability Pillars are built around its people and communities. The Irish housing market has been undersupplied for many years. The lack of accessible housing is a major inhibiting factor for the Irish economy. Projected employment trends suggest that 300,000 additional dwellings will be needed in Ireland’s urban areas. Glenveagh seeks to accelerate the pace of construction and deliver viable homes. Energy efficient homes help to reduce demand for heating and electricity. EV charging points and cycling and walking paths are included as standard across all developments. Glenveagh believes in creating sustainable homes and communities. It endeavors to develop environmentally considerate and efficient operations, sustainable and responsible sourcing and to keeping people and local ecosystems safe. Glenveagh’s current CO2 emissions reduction target for 2025 is 25%. •
72%* of Glenveagh homes are priced below the new home median. *(Core Glenveagh homes compared to GDA and Cork)
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100% of Glenveagh homes have a BER energy rating of A2 or better.
SO 14001 – the international standard for environmental management – is now being integrated into Glenveagh’s operations with a view to achieving certification in 2021. As part of this process Glenveagh has developed and documented a comprehensive Environmental Management System. Glenveagh supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. It is currently in the process of identifying those goals most relevant to Glenveagh and where the biggest impact can be made. According to Glenveagh’s CEO Stephen Garvey these are steppingstones on the journey towards the goal of industry leading standards of environmental and social responsibility. The company focus at Glenveagh is on three core markets – suburban housing, urban apartments and partnerships with local authorities and state agencies. Since IPO Glenveagh has opened 23 sites, delivering more than 1,800 units (700 in 2020) with 1,150 in the pipeline for 2021. Glenveagh devotes the majority of its portfolio to the first-time-buyers (FTB) segment giving more people access to new homes by building at scale and by keeping prices below the industry average for new-build homes. The national median new home price for 2020 was €385k whereas Glenveagh’s median price was €340k*. (Source Property Price Register) Over the next 24 months Glenveagh will fully implement ISO 9001 Quality Management System standards. This will drive quality and consistency in build quality across all Glenveagh sites. Glenveagh has a dedicated head of quality and quality team, quality control is audited internally and validated by third party consultants. In response to the Covid-19 travel restrictions and safety concerns, Glenveagh developed a digital strategy to allow contactless, online and private viewing with their agents. By using the most advanced CGI technology Glenveagh will introduce virtual home tours for developments ahead of construction allowing customers to confidently buy off plans. Bringing diversity to the construction industry is a pointo of pride at Glenveagh, 24% of Glenveagh’s staff are female compared to a 9% industry average. In 2020 Glenveagh signed the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) Diversity Charter with the aim of achieving the Bronze Standard, and plan to join the 30% Club Ireland with the goal of improving gender balance at all levels within the organisation.
Kildare - Heart of the Glenveagh Community Glenveagh recently sponsored the Kilcock Wheelers cycling club in support of their ‘Sports & Fitness’ community activations for the Ledwill Park Development. They are also donating an Automatic External Defibrillator unit to local first responders at the Gables Leisure Centre in Newbridge. There will be many to come as Glenveagh expands its community strategy across other sites in Kildare. Sports and outdoor activities are a vital part of any community. Glenveagh seeks out sponsorships that contribute to community-based sporting life. The Kilcock Wheelers sponsorship is the first of many more sponsorships to come in Kildare. Every aspect of Glenveagh’s work seeks to support local employment, for example as part of local marketing, Glenveagh always endeavours to work with local media outlets, putting budget back into a local community, with deals on the horizon with KFM, Kildare Nationalist and more.
