Bexhill-on-Sea scheme becomes first single-family housing community worldwide to secure ModeScore Communities certification, achieving a Platinum rating for sustainable transport connectivity and accessibility
A development by Leaf Living, the specialist provider of professionally managed, new-build single-family rental housing, has become the first scheme of its kind globally to achieve a ModeScore Communities certification, securing a Platinum rating at Gateway, in Bexhill-on-Sea.
ModeScore is the global certification for sustainable transport and mobility in real estate. Its evidence-based framework assesses how developments enable access to everyday destinations such as work, education, healthcare and leisure through alternatives to private car use, including walking, cycling and public transport. ModeScore Communities extends this assessment beyond individual buildings to entire neighbourhoods, evaluating how location, infrastructure, services and accessibility work together.
The certification reflects Leaf Living’s strategic approach across its portfolio, which focuses on delivering well-connected, high-quality single family housing communities through a fully integrated operating model.
The certified scheme, The Gateway, is a collection of three and four-bedroom SFH rental homes on Wrestwood Road in Bexhill-on-Sea. The ModeScore Communities assessment reviewed the development’s access to everyday destinations, public transport provision, active travel routes, transport infrastructure and resident-facing information.
With residents able to access schools, retail, healthcare and local bus services within a short walk – and bus stops located within five minutes of the site – The Gateway achieved the maximum available score for:
- Access by active travel to green space, education, retail, healthcare and public transport
- Access to everyday destinations via public transport
- The quality and accessibility of walking, wheeling and cycling routes
The assessment also recognised the availability of frequent and accessible bus services, local transport information and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
The wider neighbourhood includes public open space, sports facilities and a new primary school, helping residents access key amenities, services and recreational opportunities within the local area.
James Nash, Co-Founder, ModeScore, said:
“Leaf Living has delivered an outstanding example of what sustainable mobility can look like in the housing sector – the Gateway is a landmark development for ModeScore.
Becoming the first single family housing development to achieve ModeScore Communities certification is a major achievement. Achieving a Platinum rating makes this even more significant and establishes a strong benchmark for residential development in the UK and internationally.
Where people live has a direct influence on how they access work, education, shops and services. The Gateway demonstrates how well-connected housing can support greater choice and reduce reliance on private cars.”
Clint Bartman, COO, Leaf Living, said:
“Achieving the world’s first ModeScore Communities certification for a single-family housing development at The Gateway is an important milestone for Leaf Living. Access to transport, local amenities and green space plays a central role in how residents experience their homes day to day, and it is a key consideration in how we select and operate our rental homes.
As a fully integrated platform, we are able to embed these factors from acquisition through to long-term management, ensuring consistency in the product and the resident experience. Recognition at Platinum level reflects the strength of that approach, as well as the quality of the location and connectivity at The Gateway.”
The certification provides an independent benchmark for how residential communities support sustainable mobility, alongside a framework for ongoing improvement. ModeScore builds on the established ActiveScore certification, assessing active travel alongside wider transport considerations including public transport access, vehicle infrastructure and site-wide movement.