NextGeneration reveals sustainability performance of the UK’s top homebuilders

NextGeneration, the sustainability assessment system for UK homebuilders, has today released its annual report. This names Barratt Developments as the highest ranking homebuilder.

This year the NextGeneration results were announced at the launch on the 10^th of December, which brought together developers and investors from across the sector. 

Barratt Developments PLC has secured the top position in the NextGeneration Benchmark, ranking as the highest rated national homebuilder. After four consecutive years in 2nd place, this achievement underscores their steadfast dedication to enhancing the sustainability of their homes and operations. Latimer has displayed substantial improvement, rising from 3rd to 2nd place, while Hill Group rose to 3rd place, gaining five points and surpassing the Gold Award threshold. Rounding out the top six are London Square, Taylor Wimpey and Vistry Group. There has also been a notable score improvement from Strata, the 2nd smallest homebuilder in the Benchmark, who has risen from 16th place to 10th place, with an increase of 18 points from the previous year. The Benchmark was excited to welcome Bellway Homes as a new member this year, reflecting the sector’s expanding commitment to sustainability.

In addition to securing the top position in the NextGeneration Benchmark, Barratt Developments are recognised for the transparency and quality of their sustainability reporting through achieving the NextGeneration Crystal Award, which celebrates the homebuilder that meets the most criteria through publicly available information alone.

Sarah Pratt, Acting Group Sustainability Director at Barratt Redrow PLC said: “We are delighted that our approach to transparent disclosure continues to be recognised by the NextGeneration Benchmark. Looking ahead, core to the new combined Barratt Redrow Group is our commitment to delivering excellence and driving innovation through quality, service and sustainability.”

In further news, NextGeneration launched today the new criteria for the 2025-2027 benchmarking cycle. The criteria are updated on a three-year cycle to ensure they continue to challenge the industry and drive best practice. To develop these criteria, NextGeneration worked closely with the Future Homes Hub to ensure alignment between environmental metrics, thereby reducing the reporting burden on homebuilders and driving consistency in the sector. Please find the new criteria  here.

Simon McWhirter, Deputy Chief Executive of UK Green Building Council said: “The escalating climate crisis necessitates immediate and decisive action across all sectors, and particularly the built environment. Addressing the climate emergency requires innovative, proactive approaches that go beyond carbon reduction to encompass resilient and regenerative practices in construction and community development. In this context, the NextGeneration Benchmark serves as an invaluable tool, offering a comprehensive assessment of the industry’s current status and highlighting the advancements needed to ensure a sustainable future.”

David Willock, Managing Director, Corporates, Sustainability Advisory at Lloyds Banking Group said: “Access to quality housing is a fundamental human need with affordable and stable homes giving people a foundation on which they can thrive. We are committed to expanding the availability and affordability of safe, quality and sustainable housing in places people want to live. Working alongside housebuilders and developers across the country to make this a reality, NextGeneration serves as a vital platform to guide and support the industry. It is essential that the homes we build today do not create issues for future generations and by enabling homebuilders to integrate sustainability standards into their developments, we’re making progress to a more sustainable and inclusive future.”

Robert Stone, Technical Director at Homes England said: “The NextGeneration Benchmark continually encourages the homebuilding sector to adopt and exceed best practice and implement innovative solutions for a more sustainable industry. By setting ambitious yet attainable criteria, NextGeneration pushes companies to improve their environmental and social performance year on year. The wide range of initiatives evaluated under the Benchmark showcase the progress being made in sustainable homebuilding, reflecting the sector’s sustained dedication to environmental responsibility and community well-being.”

Simon Hodson, Residential & Living – Sustainability Lead Director, UK Capital Markets at JLL said: “Homebuilders face complex challenges amid difficult economic and political conditions. The government’s target of 1.5 million homes in its first term will require an unprecedented alignment of stakeholders to bring land, new funding mechanisms and resilient infrastructure to deliver communities which embrace all social and demographic needs. NextGeneration continues to support UK homebuilders by providing essential tools and guidance to navigate these intricate issues and implement profound change.”

NextGeneration encourages companies to report against a range of criteria that has been developed in collaboration with the industry for 19 years to support high-quality sustainable homebuilding. The criteria cover: company strategy & governance, reporting, future proofing, environmental site management, design standards, ecology, energy & carbon, water, circular economy, transport, procurement, health & safety, community & customer engagement, design & placemaking, and economic development.

The NextGeneration Benchmark process is:

Selection: NextGeneration selects the largest 25 homebuilders in the UK for benchmarking, based on their housing turnover and annual completions, alongside any further homebuilders interested in benchmark membership.

Phase 1: Homebuilders are assessed on their publicly available sustainability information, against the 60+ public criteria of the benchmark, covering the ESG spectrum. Phase one is weighted as 60% of the overall benchmark.

Phase 2: NextGeneration members paying an annual subscription provide internal sustainability information to be benchmarked. Phase 2 is weighted as 40%.

Results: The marks from each of the homebuilders assessed are collated and published annually within the benchmark. Each Member receives a bespoke presentation of their results, breaking down areas of strength and where there is room for development.

The criteria are available to the public on the NextGeneration website. All UK homebuilders are encouraged to use them to assess current performance and as a guide to further improve the sustainability of homes and operations.

About NextGeneration

NextGeneration is the industry’s sustainability assessment framework, promoting greater levels of sustainable development to UK homebuilders. It enables homebuilders, Government, registered providers, investors, employees and the public to understand the sustainability of homebuilders’ operations and the new homes they build.

Companies represented in the benchmark have a total annual housing turnover of £36,268,000 and have completed a total 119,189 houses in the past year. The benchmark has been running for 19 years and works by inspiring companies to report their sustainability performance.

The Executive Committee of the benchmark is formed by Homes England, Lloyds Banking Group, the UK Green Building Council and the secretariat is JLL.