A footballing coach from Frome has found a way to help tackle his rising energy bills.

Civil Servant, Ben Bolland, who is also Head of Girls Football at Frome Town United, has recently moved into a new home at Delamare Park.

Drawn to the site's green credentials – it's Barratt Homes' first gas-free development in the country – Ben has recently moved into a three-bedroom semi-detached home at the site.

Commenting, he said: "Being a gas free site was a massive selling point, particularly when energy costs are on the rise. I think it's important to be forward and future thinking plus it's so financially freeing to know that while I live here I'll never have to pay a gas bill again – a huge bonus given how much mine has increased over recent months. I'm looking forward to a greener, cheaper and more enjoyable way of life."

All 82 properties at Barratt Homes' Delamare Park development are fitted with air source heat pumps as standard - a clean, highly efficient and emissions-free way to meet a home's heating and hot water requirements. Unlike traditional boilers which are the largest contributor to household carbon emissions1, air source heat pumps require only water and electric connection. They absorb heat from the outside air and can operate when outside temperatures are as low as -20°C.

The development is located in Nunney and Ben added: "It's a lovely quiet location but being so close to the A361 means I can be in Frome in just a few minutes. I also do lots of cycling so being on the edge of the Mendips is ideal.

"Moving from a terrace into a larger semi-detached means I'll have plenty of space when my two daughters come to visit plus, as I work from home a lot, I'll have room to separate my work and private life. I also now have a driveway which is such a luxury after being without one for so long!"

Research suggests the energy rating on homes is becoming a more important part of the housing market and buyers are more conscious of the green features of buildings2, a trend that's mirrored at Delamare Park which is 75% sold.

According to a study by Barratt Developments, more than three quarters (76%) of purchasers want cost efficient homes that save money, with 70% wanting to reduce emissions. The energy price crisis has meant that buyers are becoming increasingly enthusiastic about energy-efficient new homes that meet current building standards3. Due to modern building techniques and the materials used during construction, new build properties are more energy efficient compared to an older property.

Homes at Delamare Park include a host of features including highly thermally efficient insulation and argon-filled double glazing as standard, which allows the heat from the sun in whilst minimising heat loss. This means compared to an updated Victorian equivalent, it can be up to 65% cheaper to run