Category: Sustainability

A Landlord You Can Rely On: Renting with ThamesWey Housing

Posted on | by Jane Preston
New Woodlands
Yellow Phase
Merchant House

ThamesWey Housing has spent more than 20 years investing in high-quality, professionally managed homes across Woking and Surrey, offering residents something increasingly rare in the private rented sector: a landlord with genuine long-term commitment.

Quality Homes, Professionally Managed

With around 1,450 properties ranging from modern apartments to family homes, every ThamesWey property is overseen by experienced housing professionals, with most homes managed directly by our in-house team, ensuring a responsive, courteous, and reliable service for every resident.

Safety First

Resident safety is a core priority. All homes undergo regular gas and electrical checks, alongside fire safety assessments across multi-occupancy buildings. Compliance is monitored proactively to ensure every property meets required standards, not just on paper, but in practice.

Leading on Energy

ThamesWey has made sustained investment in energy-efficient homes. Since 2020, all new-build developments – including Harrington Place, Sheerwater regeneration schemes, The Cornerstone and The Reeds – have achieved EPC B rating or above, with the newest family homes at The Reeds reaching EPC A.

Across the wider portfolio, 90% of homes already meet or exceed EPC C rating, well ahead of the government’s 2030 target for the private rented sector. Better insulation and efficient heating mean lower energy bills and reduced environmental impact for our tenants.

Find Your ThamesWey Home

ThamesWey offers a wide range of homes across Woking and Surrey at market, affordable and social-equivalent rents. To view current availability, visit: Property Search

Greener by Design: ThamesWey’s Commitment to Energy Efficient Homes

Posted on | by Jane Preston
Fairfax Place, Murray Place and Murray Green
Harrington Place

Energy efficiency is not a trend for ThamesWey, it has been a core principle for years. Whilst much of the private rented sector is now racing to meet the government’s proposed EPC C rating minimum by 2030, ThamesWey has already delivered hundreds of homes that exceed that standard.

A Sector Under Pressure – and a Different Response

Private renters face the highest rates of fuel poverty in England, and nearly half of all rental homes still fall below EPC C rating. For many landlords, upgrading by 2030 will be a major challenge.

ThamesWey took a different approach. Since Harrington Place in 2020, every major development has been built to EPC B or above, with the newest family homes at The Reeds achieving an EPC A rating. Even The Cornerstone – a complex town centre refurbishment – achieved B and C ratings.

What This Looks Like in Practice

Behind the EPC ratings is a consistent programme of investment in low-carbon technology:

  • District heat networks across Sheerwater developments, providing efficient heating and hot water to hundreds of apartments.
  • Air source heat pumps at Pine Grove and The Reeds, removing gas entirely.
  • Solar photovoltaic panels on every home at The Reeds, generating renewable energy directly for each household.
  • Triple glazing as standard across the new-build portfolio.
  • EV charging points and secure bicycle storage across multiple schemes.

For residents, the benefits are immediate: lower energy bills, warmer homes, and long-term comfort.

Efficiency Across Every Tenure

Crucially, ThamesWey’s energy performance standards apply across all rent levels, not just full market rent. Social equivalent rent homes at Murray Place and Murray Green, affordable rent homes at Yellow Phase and Harrington Place, and sheltered housing at New Woodlands all meet the same high standards.

Since 2021, more than 500 EPC B-or-above rated homes have been delivered in Sheerwater alone. When you include Harrington Place and The Cornerstone, ThamesWey has produced over 800 highly efficient homes since 2020 – years ahead of national requirements.

Leading, Not Following

As the private rented sector prepares for significant regulatory change, ThamesWey is already operating at the level others are now being asked to reach. This was not driven by compliance; it was driven by purpose.

ThamesWey exists to provide good homes that are safe, well-managed, comfortable, and affordable to live in over the long-term.

Greener by design. Better by intention.

ThamesWey Publishes Baseline Impact Report Assessing Housing, Energy and Community Outcomes

Posted on | by Jane Preston

ThamesWey has released its Baseline Impact Report, an independently produced assessment of the social, environmental and economic outcomes delivered across its housing and energy portfolio up to July 2025. The report was prepared by The Good Economy, one of the UK’s leading advisory firms specialising in impact measurement and management.

Drawing on resident surveys, site visits, portfolio data and interviews with Woking Borough Council, the report highlights ThamesWey’s significant role in Woking’s housing and sustainability landscape. According to the findings, ThamesWey has:

  • Delivered 832 new homes, representing 28% of all homes built in Woking since 2011
  • Achieved 88% resident satisfaction, outperforming national benchmarks
  • Invested £5.9m in energy‑efficiency upgrades across 326 homes, with estimated lifetime carbon savings of over 10,000 tCO₂e delivering environmental benefit alongside improved living conditions
  • Developed homes where 82% achieve EPC A or B, significantly above national averages

The report also sets out recommendations for safeguarding social impact during Woking Borough Council’s ongoing Section 114 process, including protecting affordable housing, improving communication on energy costs, and ensuring any future ownership changes maintain public value.

View a copy of the full report here: ThamesWey Baseline Impact Report (Oct 2025)

About The Good Economy

The Good Economy (TGE) is a specialist impact advisory firm known for its rigorous, evidence‑based approach to evaluating social value, ESG performance and place‑based outcomes. TGE works with investors, local authorities and organisations across the UK to build credible impact frameworks and independently assess real‑world results.

The Reeds: 77 EPC A-rated Family Homes Beside the Basingstoke Canal

Posted on | by Jane Preston

ThamesWey’s most advanced development to date, The Reeds brings 77 spacious family homes to Sheerwater. Each home is powered by its own solar panels and air source heat pump, and each is built to the highest possible EPC A rating.

Homes Designed for Modern Family Life

The Reeds offers a mix of two, three, four and five-bedroom homes, available at both full market and affordable rental rates, reflecting ThamesWey’s consistent commitment to tenure diversity within its developments. Every home includes: a private garden; generous room sizes; high-quality finishes; integrated appliances; and, contemporary layouts.

Sustainability Built In

As standard across the entire development every property features:

  • Individual air source heat pump (no gas)
  • Individual solar photovoltaic panels, generating renewable energy for the household
  • Triple glazing for year-round comfort
  • A private EV charging point
A Setting that Supports Community

Bordering the Basingstoke Canal, The Reeds benefits from landscaped communal grounds and a dedicated children’s play area, offering families genuine access to green space and a strong sense of community.

Availability

For current availability, please visit our property search.

Space and Style at Merchant House, Sheerwater

Posted on | by Jane Preston

Merchant House, launched in March 2024, is a purpose-built development delivering 39 high-quality one, two and three-bedroom apartments – all at full market rent, and all finished to the standard that defines ThamesWey’s approach across its portfolio.

High-Quality Homes, Built for Comfort

Every Merchant House apartment is EPC B rated, triple-glazed and served by a district heat network for efficient, low-maintenance heating and hot water. Each home includes a private balcony or terrace, with clean, contemporary interiors throughout.

Thoughtful Communal Space

Residents benefit from a landscaped podium garden – a welcoming outdoor space that enhances everyday living. Merchant House also shares a secure car park with the New Woodlands development, offering standard and EV charging bays (available at additional cost) and free bicycle storage.

Part of a Growing Community

Located within the wider Sheerwater regeneration area, Merchant House sits alongside New Woodlands, Guild Lodge, Pine Grove, and Yellow Phase forming one of Surrey’s most significant clusters of high-quality, purpose-built rental homes.

Availability

Merchant House apartments are available at full market rent across all bedroom sizes. For current availability, please visit our property search.

Urban Living Reimagined: Pine Grove Brings Contemporary Mews Houses to Sheerwater

Posted on | by Jane Preston

The classic London mews house has long been one of the city’s most desirable property types. Pine Grove brings that same character and considered design to Woking.

Launched in March 2024, Pine Grove comprises ten contemporary mews houses – nine three-bedroom homes (approx. 107 sq m) and one two-bedroom home (approx. 91 sq m), arranged in two neat rows with striking red brick facades and a specification that stands apart in the local rental market.

Thoughtful, Modern Layouts

The three-bedroom homes are arranged over two floors:

Ground Floor: covered carport with two parking spaces and EV charging, cloakroom, first bedroom and kitchen.

First Floor: vaulted-ceiling living room, master bedroom with ensuite, third ensuite bedroom, and a generous private terrace.

The two-bedroom home follows the same design principles, with two uncovered parking bays.

The vaulted first floor living space is a standout feature – bright, spacious, and genuinely distinctive for a rental home.

Sustainable Design

Every Pine Grove home includes:

  • Air source heat pump (no gas)
  • Triple-glazing
  • EPC B or C ratings
  • EV charging built into every carport

A sustainability specification well ahead of the rental sector norm.

Availability

Pine Grove homes are available at full market rent. For current availability, please visit our property search.

Something Different: Guild Lodge Brings Exceptional Maisonette Living to Sheerwater

Posted on | by Jane Preston

Seven homes. One with two bedrooms, and six with three bedrooms. Vaulted ceilings, skylights, and private balconies – all in a purpose-built rental setting. Guild Lodge is intentionally different.

Launched in January 2024, Guild Lodge offers something rarely found in the rental market: the space, character and specification of a high-quality house, designed from the ground up for modern renters.

Thoughtfully Designed, Split-Level Living

Each maisonette is arranged across two floors.

  • Ground Floor: entrance hallway, two bedrooms and a family bathroom – a practical layout that keeps sleeping areas private.
  • Upper Floor: a dramatic open-plan kitchen, dining and living space with a vaulted ceiling, integrated skylights, and direct access to a private balcony. In the 3-bedroom maisonettes, here you will find the third bedroom and second bathroom.

The vaulted ceiling and skylights define the home. Bright, spacious, and genuinely distinctive.

Private Balcony

Every Guild Lodge maisonette has a good-sized private balcony, accessed from the main living area – a genuinely useful outdoor space for relaxing or simply enjoying the extra breathing room that most rental homes cannot offer.

High Specification and Sustainable by Design

All seven homes are EPC B rated, connected to the district heat network for efficient heating and hot water supply, and are finished to a consistently high standard throughout. Each has access to a private parking bay, at an additional charge.

Availability

Guild Lodge maisonettes are available at full market rent. For current availability, please visit our property search.

Household energy bills slashed for 594 low-income homes in Surrey after £6m of investment

Posted on | by David Evans | Leave a Comment on Household energy bills slashed for 594 low-income homes in Surrey after £6m of investment

Between October 2020 and March 2021, ThamesWey delivered the largest energy efficiency retrofit project to date in Surrey. The project ‘Green Jump Surrey’ distributed £6m of grant funding to 594 low-income homes in Surrey, with funds provided by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Local Authority Delivery scheme.

Each household will cut an average of £660 off their annual energy bills, in April 2022 prices, at a time when energy costs are at an all time high. With energy costs projected to rise even further this Autumn, the financial benefits to the recipient low-income households will be even greater.

The reduction in energy consumption from the 775 energy efficiency measures installed will also avoid 844 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each year. Over the lifetime of these long-term improvements, the saving is equivalent to 3,211 times the average annual household carbon footprint.

Green Jump Surrey delivered the 3rd highest number of upgrades out of 90 similar projects across England, despite the very limited timescales and wider industry challenges that existed over the project duration.

Read the executive summary below for a more in-depth breakdown of the project’s achievements.

GJS-Executive-Summary

A property insulated externally, topped with a high quality silicone rendered finish. Funded in full through Green Jump Surrey.

Community at the Heart: Fairfax Place, Murray Place and Murray Green

Posted on | by Jane Preston

Ninety homes. Three addresses. One shared green space that brings everyone together. Fairfax Place, Murray Place and Murray Green show that mixed tenure and high-quality design can sit side-by-side and thrive.

Launched in August 2021, this landmark development combines high-specification apartments, affordable homes, and spacious townhouses, all connected by a beautifully landscaped podium garden and a consistent commitment to quality across every tenure.

Fairfax Place – Premium Apartments are Full Market Rent

Fairfax Place offers 40 high-specification one and two-bedroom apartments, all available at full market rent and all achieving an EPC B rating. Each home features a private balcony or terrace, contemporary finishes, and efficient heating and hot water supplied via the district heat network. The result is modern, low-maintenance living in a well-designed building.

Murray Place – High Quality Homes at Social Equivalent Rent

Next door, Murray Place provides 40 one, two and three-bedroom apartments, all let at social equivalent rent levels. Every home mirrors Fairfax Place – the same EPC B rating, the same district heat network, the same private outdoor space, and the same clean, contemporary interiors. It is high-quality, purpose-built rental housing accessible to households across a range of incomes.

Murray Green – Exceptional Three-Storey Townhouses

Connected to the wider development via the shared podium garden, Murray Green delivers something rare in the rental market: ten spacious three-bedroom townhouses, arranged over three floors. Each home includes a private courtyard, direct access to the podium garden and two dedicated parking bays, accessed via secure a ground floor rear entrance.

Murray Green
Shared Podium Garden
A Shared Heart – The Podium Garden

At the centre of all three buildings sits a generous, landscaped podium garden – a communal space designed to bring residents together. With seating areas, a pergola, planted borders and a central lawn, it offers a welcoming outdoor environment.

Beneath the garden, a secure car park provides residents with a mix of standard and EV charging bays, available at an additional cost. Spaces are limited, with priority given to residents of the two and three-bedroom apartments.

A Development That Delivers

Together, Fairfax Place, Murray Place and Murray Green demonstrate ThamesWey’s ability to deliver high-specification homes across a range of tenures and price points, all underpinned by a commitment to quality, sustainability, and community. This development is one of the most significant additions to ThamesWey’s portfolio.

ThamesWey delivers first homes with swift bricks for Woking Borough Council

Posted on | by David Evans | Leave a Comment on ThamesWey delivers first homes with swift bricks for Woking Borough Council

ThamesWey has completed its first housing development containing swift bricks. The 12 swifts bricks have been incorporated into two new family sized affordable homes which have been handed over to Woking Borough Council. Continue reading →

Celebrating 20 years of building sustainable communities

Posted on | by David Evans | Leave a Comment on Celebrating 20 years of building sustainable communities

ThamesWey is 20 this year and proud to be celebrating two decades of building sustainable communities. Our work in low-carbon power generation, energy advice, affordable housing and property development is driven by one fundamental principle – to build neighbourhoods that benefit everyone.

Continue reading →