The Future of Net-Zero Neighbourhoods.

As the UK accelerates towards its 2050 net-zero target, the spotlight is turning to ambitious towns ready to lead the way in sustainable urban living. Slough is emerging as a prime testbed for the future of net-zero neighbourhoods, a place where green construction methods, circular building materials, and neighbourhood-scale decarbonisation strategies converge.

With its strategic location, strong infrastructure, and a progressive council committed to innovation, Slough offers forward-thinking investors a unique opportunity to deliver carbon-positive communities that align with both environmental, social, and governance (ESG) mandates and long-term market demand.

Pat Hayes, Executive Director of Housing, Property, and Regeneration at Slough Borough Council says: “Slough is placing sustainability and net-zero building at the forefront to create a truly modern town. This is a pivotal moment for forward-thinking investors to help create a legacy of greener, fairer communities and we welcome those who share the same vision.”

Building a Sustainable Future for Homes

The North West Quadrant project is as a flagship development in how Slough is embracing sustainable, inclusive regeneration at scale. Located in the heart of the town centre, this ambitious masterplan will transform a former Thames Valley University campus into a thriving new community of up to 1,600 homes, flexible workspaces, retail, and inviting public spaces.

From the outset, Slough Borough Council has worked closely with development partners through the Slough Urban Renewal Partnership to unlock the site’s potential, a process later strengthened by Homes England’s acquisition of the land, ensuring progress continued despite potential challenges.

This development exemplifies the power of public-private partnerships to find resilient, pragmatic solutions and deliver shared ambitions. More than just bricks and mortar, North West Quadrant will play a vital role in reshaping perceptions of Slough, showcasing the town’s connectivity, vibrant communities, and untapped potential.

Its blend of affordable and market-rate homes will support a diverse community, while public realm improvements, active travel links, and green infrastructure will drive sustainable growth. By prioritising inclusive placemaking and environmental responsibility, North West Quadrant is poised to become a catalyst for wider town centre renewal, attracting investment, supporting local businesses, and creating a place Slough’s residents and visitors can be proud of for generations to come.

Circular Construction

Beyond sustainable building performance, Slough is also championing circular construction principles. This includes reusing demolition waste, sourcing local low-carbon materials, and designing assets for disassembly and repurposing. With pressure mounting on developers to reduce embodied carbon, this focus presents long-term ESG benefits and aligns closely with upcoming regulations and investor priorities.

The vision was conceived in 2013 with the launch of Slough Urban Renewal (SUR), a visionary partnership between Muse and Slough Borough Council (SBC). Over the last decade, SUR became a catalyst for placemaking and regeneration, leveraging brownfield sites and redeveloping tired buildings and vacant land to deliver new homes, leisure hubs, and education facilities across 25 projects with at least BREEAM Very Good, or comparable sustainable credentials.

This has been achieved at many projects including BREEAM Excellent at the hotels at the Old Library. The Centre achieved an EPC rating of A, and the refurbished Ice Arena achieved a 39% reduction in annual energy usage. At Novus Apartments, the homes benefit from a centralised heating and hot water system and a range of sustainable features based on the Code for Sustainable Homes or BREEAM targets.

SEGRO Leads the Way with Net-Zero Ready Industrial Space

Reinforcing Slough’s credentials as a hub for sustainable development, SEGRO has completed the transformation of a former single-use building into nine new, speculatively built industrial units on Slough Trading Estate, one of Europe’s largest and most successful business parks.

The redevelopment at 136 Edinburgh Avenue delivers over 107,000 sq ft of high-quality, future-proofed warehouse space, designed to meet the needs of a broad spectrum of businesses, from start-ups to established enterprises. Achieving both BREEAM Excellent and EPC A+ ratings, the scheme exemplifies how industrial development can align with low-carbon growth ambitions.

With strong market interest already, it highlights the surging demand for sustainable commercial space in the Thames Valley and positions Slough as a frontrunner in delivering the next generation of carbon-conscious neighbourhoods.

Driving Sustainability in Storage and Logistics

Further strengthening Slough’s reputation as a leader in sustainable innovation, a local business, Space Station, has pledged to achieve carbon neutrality by the end of 2025. As part of its “Going Green” initiative, the storage provider is implementing a raft of sustainability measures, from constructing new carbon-neutral facilities to retrofitting existing ones with energy-efficient technologies. The company is also championing water conservation through rainwater harvesting and smart metering and reducing waste by promoting recyclable and biodegradable packaging.

Founded over 40 years ago and now backed by global investment firm Heitman, Space Station’s environmental strategy reflects a growing momentum within the storage and logistics sectors towards greener practices. By encouraging sustainable transport options among employees and embedding sustainability into every aspect of its operations, Space Station is setting new industry standards, positioning Slough not only as a centre of urban regeneration and green construction, but as a place for climate-forward enterprise.

A Blueprint for Scalable Decarbonisation

What’s happening in Slough isn’t just relevant locally. The town’s pioneering projects, like the SEGRO development and North West Quadrant, offer replicable models that can inform national approaches to neighbourhood-scale decarbonisation. Investors entering now have the chance to be early adopters in a market that’s only set to grow as demand for sustainable living intensifies.