Pictured above: The eco-homes at North Wingfield
achieved a Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4 rating
One of the 'greenest' affordable housing developments in
Derbyshire completed recently and has already welcomed its first
residents!
The £3.1m North Wingfield scheme, situated at Wayside
Close and Eyam Close, is a partnership project between
Loughborough-based contractor and developer, William Davis Ltd and
housing and regeneration group, LHA-ASRA. Built to achieve a Code
for Sustainable Homes Level 4 rating, the scheme benefits from a
state-of-the-art renewable heating system - each site has a biomass
boiler running on wood pellets - after it was awarded a
£73,000 Department for Energy and Climate Change Bio-Energy
Capital Grant.
Resident Judy Owen, who has just moved into one of the 33 new,
two-bedroom bungalows on the development, was quick to praise the
build quality and 'green' credentials of the scheme. "I can't fault
anything," she said "my new home has all the mod cons I need; it's
warm, comfortable and environmentally friendly. It's been the best
move ever for me!"
In addition to the scheme's overall energy efficiency, each of
the properties, which have been designed for the over 55's and are
available for affordable rent or shared ownership, runs efficiently
on low levels of water, contains storage space for recyclables and
features a recharging station for mobility scooters.
William Cornall, director of development and regeneration,
LHA-ASRA said: "These homes are ground-breaking in their use of
eco-technology. A biomass boiler on each site runs on wood
pellets, providing a heating system which reduces carbon dioxide
emissions by half, whilst remaining true to the area's tradition of
solid fuel heating.
"This shows our commitment to building greener homes into the
future, without compromising the needs of our customers."
Nic Jepson, group business development manager, William Davis
Ltd added: "Together with LHA-ASRA, we have worked closely with
local councillors over the design and layout of the North Wingfield
eco-homes and the local community throughout construction. This is
one of the first schemes of its kind nationally to achieve a CSH
Level 4 rating and I am confident it will act as benchmark for
future community-led, sustainable developments. We can all take
great pride in our achievement here."
North East Derbyshire District Council (NEDDC) donated the land
to the scheme, which has been funded by LHA-ASRA, including
£420,000 from NEDDC and £333,000 from the Homes and
Communities Agency (HCA).
All the homes meet the Lifetime Homes Standard, which means they
can be adapted to suit a range of needs, allowing people to live
independently in their own homes for as long as possible. In
addition, one of the larger bungalows will be a four-bedroom
learning disabilities unit for three young people and a support
worker.