Award-winning sustainable housebuilder Greencore Homes has officially begun construction of its new development of 65 Better than Net Zero Homes at Launton, near Bicester in Oxfordshire.
The launch coincides with Labour’s plans to build nearly 1,000 homes in Oxfordshire as part of a national target to deliver 370,000 new homes annually, up from the previous goal of 305,000.
Set on a 5.8 acre site on the edge of historic Launton village, the new two, three and four-bedroom properties are being built using natural materials to create homes that are Better than Net Zero. The homes are ultra-low in embodied carbon and are designed to achieve a net energy balance across the development.
With renewable energy sources, including optimal photovoltaic panels on the roof, these EPC-A rated Better Than Net Zero homes are built to Passivhaus standards, allowing for comfort, low running costs and a minimal impact on the environment.
Developed in conjunction with A’Bear and Ball Architects and Edge Urban Design, the homes at Station Road, Launton, include a mixture of detached and terraced homes.
The site includes large areas designated for wildlife, including preserving established woodland, with public green spaces and walking routes with a projected 23% biodiversity net gain over the previous farmland.
Laura Stone, COO at Greencore Homes, said:
“At Greencore Homes, we’re not just building houses, we’re setting a new standard for sustainable living. Our development at Station Road in Launton exemplifies our commitment to delivering Better Than Net Zero homes that combine optimal renewable energy systems with natural, low-impact materials. These homes are designed to be healthy, comfortable, and cost-effective for residents, while contributing meaningfully to the transition toward a zero-carbon future.”
The village of Launton was recorded in The Domesday Book as the site of a manor given by King Edward the Confessor to Westminster Abbey. Today it has local pubs, a coffee shop, a primary school, Post Office, church, village hall, convenience store and several sports groups. Nearby Bicester, 10 minutes by car, has a selection of major supermarkets plus the famous Bicester Village outlet shopping centre. Bicester North railway station offers services to London Marylebone in just 50 minutes.
The first homes at Station Road are expected to be completed by Autumn 2026.
For more information on Greencore Homes, visit https://greencorehomes.co.uk/