Green property: Sensitive to natural concerns

Overseas properties are coming to the market that have been constructed with sustainable development firmly in mind

Demand for overseas property is booming but it's hard not to feel a degree of guilt as beautiful parts of the world succumb to development. Beyond the issue of air travel and the vast levels of carbon emissions which overseas property ownership creates, there is a sense that such development also drains precious world resources. After all, you only have to look at certain parts of Spain to see the concrete mistakes of the past

However, some of today's developers are determined to get it right. As land becomes scarce, increasingly developers are trying to build on some of the worlds' most sensitive sites - but there will be few more sensitive than on St Lucia near the island's magnificent Piton Mountains. Listed as a World Heritage site, this area is special for many reasons: a protected marine park lies just off the "Forbidden Beach" which borders the land, and behind the Pitons (originally created from an underwater volcano) lie acres of precious rainforest.

Currently this area has little in the way of development. The Jalousie Plantation and Spa, a hotel with a collection of small cottages within its grounds, sits in the shadow of the Pitons but Premier Resorts are about to market the Jalousie Residences, a new development planned for the site. Premier's Geoffrey McClure insists that the development will not mar the region's beauty: "It's going to be done with extreme sensitivity and care," he says.

Owner and developer Pascal Mahvi of the M Group built the original Jalousie Plantation and plans to replace it with around 60 villas on the 187-acre site. In fact, permission was given for double that number but Mahvi feels that this is the best way of protecting the area's unspoiled nature. Plots start from $475,458 (£250,000) and owners can choose from seven designs, or build their own according to strict criteria, and the M Group are employing consultants to ensure the development's sustainability.

Meanwhile, in South Africa, the Pezula Estate has similarities in both its beauty and in the sensitivity of the site. Situated in Knysna on the garden route, it took over three years to get planning permission to build but the development has since won awards for sustainability. Designed not to encroach on the ecology of the area, the footprint of each house and garden is strictly controlled; only 50 per cent of each plot is allowed for development, with the reminder left for the cultivation of indigenous plants. Homes have been built wherever possible using "green" materials, environmentally sound building practices and sewage systems that allow cleaned water to be re-used for irrigation.

Over a million Fynbos trees, the area's indigenous plants, have already been planted and Pezula's Chair, Keith Stewart, hopes that the developers' efforts will encourage others to follow suit.

Another development, Simbithi, lies in the heart of KwaZulu Natal's northern coastline in South Africa, and is also fast becoming known as a development that is fully embracing the eco message. Designed to give occupants the opportunity to "reconnect with nature and embrace a lifestyle in harmony with the natural environment", Simbithi Eco-Estate is the first of its kind in the area and its founders hope to set an example for the future. The developers have done their utmost to minimise environmental impact and have undertaking geology and soil assessments, water resource and drainage appraisals, land use and vegetation studies, and aesthetic, historical and cultural appraisals, in order to ensure a development perfectly in tune with the natural surroundings. Plots are selling from R450 000 (£38,321) with built apartments including from R1.2m (£102,000).

Elsewhere, developer John Tranmer is responsible for the award-winning Almaverde, which lies within the protected Costa Vicentina National Park in Western Algarve, Portugal. Tranmer started the project eight years ago after joining with renowned environmental architect Jes Mainwaring, and the pair decided to create a different kind of development, which is both sustainable and extremely comfortable.

In the process, Tranmer unearthed worrying facts about the enormous drain on environmental resources that domestic buildings pose, such as the impact from the rising use of air conditioning. To reduce CO2 emissions, the development and building methods favour high levels of insulation and thermal mass to stabilise the internal temperature of all villas. The thermal mass comes from sun-dried clay bricks, clay mortar and render, all of which are manufactured on-site. A low-energy comfort cooling system called "Coolhouse" brings air into the house via underground tubes. The 36-hectare site will be low density and will ultimately contain 130 villas, 28 townhouses and apartments with prices from £425,000.

Last week Homes Overseas Magazine held its annual awards to recognise developers' achievements. The category of "best sustainable development' is now highly prized, and developments such as Simbithi, Almaverde and Pezula all won awards with Almaverde taking the gold. Rupert Bates of Blendon Communications, the organisers of the awards says: "There is a marked change in the attitude of developers towards the environment and sustainable developments look set to become the norm, rather than the minority."