Oaklee short listed for Environmental Improvement Award (12th May, 2010)

Oaklee Homes Group have been short listed for the Environmental Improvement Award in the upcoming Business in the Community Awards 2010. Business in the Community recognises and celebrates local companies demonstrating innovation, creativity and a sustained commitment to responsible business practice.

Oaklee Homes Group have reached the final due to its focus on saving energy, money and the environment. The Group has taken a number of major steps to reduce both energy consumption and carbon footprint in recent years. These include:

 In 2008 Oaklee Homes Group was the first social housing provider in Northern Ireland to employ a dedicated energy officer.

 In 2009 Oaklee Homes Group produced a five year Energy and Sustainable Development Strategy (2009/10 - 2013/14) which sets demanding targets year on year. One of the primary targets is to reduce energy consumption at schemes and head office by 15% and 20% respectively, over the next five years.

 The Oaklee Energy Week, the first of its kind in Northern Ireland, provided an opportunity to educate and inform Oaklee staff and those from the wider social housing community on environmental topics such as; renewable technologies, standards for new developments and ethical purchasing.

All new social housing properties are developed to meet Level 3 of the Code for Sustainable Homes and the Oaklee Homes Group is now seeking to develop a number of schemes to a higher level each year. In the next few years the Group will be working with the Housing Executive on a prestigious Code Level Five development at Carryduff, the first of its kind in Northern Ireland.

The prestigious Business in the Community gala dinner will be held in the Waterfront Hall on 10th June where the winners of each award will be announced.