Pictured above: (l-r) Thomas McGuire (tenants son),
Sharon McGuire (tenant), Cllr Scott Edwards (Councillor for St
Michaels & Wicksteed Wards) Matt Cooney (Group Chief Executive
LHA-ASRA Group), John Conway (Head of Housing KBC) Cllr Maggie Don
(Councillor for St Michaels & Wicksteed Wards), Cllr Derek
Zanger (Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Housing KBC)
Eight of eighteen affordable and eco-friendly family homes,
built on land that has lain waste for years, were unveiled on
Tuesday 14th June.
The two and three bedroom homes, in Whiteford Drive, were
commissioned by Leicester-based social housing group LHA-ASRA,
after Kettering Borough Council provided a section of unused
allotments for the development.
The innovative properties are built to one of the highest
'green' standards - Level Five of the Government's Code for
Sustainable Homes - by Loughborough-based contractor and developer
William Davis Ltd.
The roofs of the new homes encompass photovoltaic solar panels
and the construction benefits from extra thick loft and cavity wall
insulation.
Franklin Ellis Architects designed the properties and Andy
Dowding, from the Nottingham-based firm, said: "Installation of the
photovoltaic panel's provide residents with subsidised electricity
and the level of roof and wall insulation will increase energy
efficiency and reduce energy costs."
Michele Walker, programme delivery manager at LHA-ASRA, said:
"Transforming disused land into affordable family homes is a real
boost for the area and constructing homes with sustainability in
mind provides a pleasant and a healthy place to live.
"By incorporating eco-friendly elements into the build and
constructing for adaptability in future years, we have brought some
very real long-term benefits to residents, for example more natural
light in the homes and lower energy costs."
Richard Cornes, partnerships director, William Davis said: "The
development of sustainable homes is at the forefront of everyone's
mind and the new houses on Whiteford Drive are a fine example of
eco-efficient construction in the affordable housing arena.
"Together with LHA-ASRA and all the partners involved in this
project, we have produced a scheme that everyone can be extremely
proud of and proves that incorporating 'green solutions' need not
impinge on modern family living."
A rainwater harvesting system is also installed; this collects
and stores rainwater to be re-used domestically.
All of the properties are equipped with recycling bins and
composting facilities for kitchen waste.
Whiteford Drive also embraces the bigger 'eco-picture', with the
installation of bird and bug boxes, as well as a reptile refuge to
provide shelter for amphibians in the nearby brook.
The remaining ten properties on the site are due for completion
in July 2011.