gcp are a Zero Bills Certified Assessor

July 15, 2025 in Consulting

gcp are pleased to announce their partnership with Octopus Energy as a Zero Bills Certified Assessor.

This builds on our strong heritage of sustainability within the built environment by targeting Net Zero and reducing bills for occupants.

The Octopus Energy website introduces Zero Bills as a tariff which “enables customers to move into homes that are fully kitted out with state-of-the-art green tech – including a heat pump, a battery and solar panels – with no energy bills guaranteed for 5 to 10 years”

Zero Bills aligns with and surpasses the proposed Future Homes Standard which seeks to improve sustainability regulation in the UK. Learn more about the Zero Bills strategy here - https://octopus.energy/press/octopus-launches-global-zero-bills-standard-for-energy-bill-free-living/

At gcp we can undertake detailed energy assessments (SAP/PHPP) and whole life carbon assessments to ensure our designs are as sustainable as possible. Zero Bills now offers the cherry on the cake which guarantees no energy bills for occupants.

If you are interested to learn more about Zero Bills or how gcp can support your sustainability goals, please contact matt.bonney@gcparch.co.uk

Construction Life Cycle Assessment Specialists

April 27, 2023 in Consulting

Since the release of the RICS professional statement on whole life carbon assessments in 2017 there has been a sea of activity across the construction sector to define best practice for low carbon buildings through publications such as the RIBA Climate Challenge 2030 or the LETI Climate Emergency Design Guide. Climate targets have led to legislative change through planning policy in some areas including Greater London, B&NES and Cornwall, however despite the plethora of targets and policies, there has been very little by way of certification for assessors.

Certification is important as it sets a common standard for the quality of assessments which should lead to better data capture and analysis across the sector and improve the validity of future targets.

gcp have undertaken whole life carbon assessments since 2020. Initially working from first principals and undertaking our own calculations, but quickly progressing to the OneClick LCA software which contains a much broader database of materials. In April 2023 we became certified as Construction Life Cycle Assessment Specialists by OneClick LCA which allows us to generate whole life carbon calculations with the confidence that we are providing the best and most valuable service to our clients.

If you would like to find out more about the low carbon design and assessment services we offer, please contact matt.bonney@gcparch.co.uk.

6 Very Low Energy Homes completed for South Western Housing Society

January 24, 2018 in Public Housing

Our project for 6 new family homes at Othery Somerset, was handed over in December and is now occupied. A rural exception scheme located adjacent to a busy road on the edge of the village, the development was granted planning in July 2016 after extensive consultation with the Parish Council and Local Planning Authority. An innovative construction method was used in the construction and following completion of highway improvements, the houses were constructed swiftly to a high standard by Man Green Solutions.

gcp developed early energy modelling and assisted in developing an innovative solution to energy efficiency in the new homes which include high performing building fabric combined with simple systems for heating and hot water. The innovative ‘Velox’ Insulated Concrete Formwork construction system means the homes are highly insulated and achieve an airtightness of 0.99 m3/m2/h – well above the standards of conventional construction. As a result, heating demand is minimised, making simple electric heating efficient and cost effective.

Each home is provided with a large Photovoltaic array at roof level, providing free electricity for heating and hot water. The house systems include smart energy management and battery storage to ensure all energy generated by the Photovoltaic panels will be used in the home (rather than being exported to grid as is common). This means the tenants will enjoy warm and comfortable homes and should have near zero energy costs for heating and hot water.

South Western Housing Society will monitor costs and performance of the homes and it is hoped this project could be a model for more low energy homes for the future.

https://www.swhs.org.uk/news/upcoming-events/swhs-othery-development-opening

http://www.velox-systems.co.uk/