Living in Sutton: 750 homes launch in Hackbridge, 'the UK's first sustainable suburb'

Hackbridge, in Sutton borough, was relatively unknown until the arrival of BedZED a decade ago.

This showpiece zero-energy housing project was shortlisted for the Stirling Prize for architecture, triggering more eco-developments that are turning the area into the “UK’s first sustainable suburb, one of the greenest places in the country to live”, says the local council.

Once a sedate Edwardian suburb, Hackbridge is in Zone 4, 25 minutes from Victoria, on the River Wandle’s banks.