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Bourne (Lincolnshire) based housebuilder and developer Larkfleet Group (www.larkfleetgroup.co.uk) has won the Sustainability Award from the British Chambers of Commerce for its commitment to the environment and for investing in sustainability-focused research and development.

The company’s award highlighted features such as the fact that it builds using sustainable timber frames, minimises waste and the use of materials during construction and protects wildlife around its sites. It also noted that the company’s carbon emissions are independently verified and that it is driving down energy and water use, increasing recycling rates and reducing car travel where possible.

Group companies include a major developer of solar power farms and a company which specialises in improving the energy-efficiency of existing homes and other buildings. Solar PV panels were installed at the head office more than three years ago to reduce the company’s carbon emissions and continue to reduce the company’s consumption of energy.

Larkfleet also invests in research and development (R&D) projects which have the potential to deliver environmental gains for the construction industry and for society as a whole.

Larkfleet CEO Karl Hick was at the British Chambers of Commerce’s annual Chamber Awards ceremony, hosted by Fox Sports presenter Georgie Thompson, to collect the award on behalf of the company. He said:

“We are seeking to embrace sustainability in all its aspects.

“We are therefore not just seeking to drive down energy use by managing our own activities and by building energy-efficient homes. We are also trying to create and maintain sustainable local communities wherever we operate – providing local employment, supporting the provision of training for local youngsters, contributing to local community activities and helping to solve the very real problem of providing sufficient affordable, high-quality homes for the region’s growing population.”

Nora Senior, president of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: “These awards are the perfect opportunity to thank British businesses, up and down the country, and across all sectors, for their contribution to our economy. I’m constantly impressed by their determination, innovation and commitment to investing in their local communities.

“I have no doubt that the winners and finalists of our awards will be tomorrow’s wealth creators and will play a vital role driving forward the future prosperity of the UK economy.”