Pictured: (l-r) Ken Loach, Peter McCormack, the Mayor and Suzy Brian England

Derwent Living has celebrated the launch of its flagship low carbon affordable housing scheme in Derby, with the help of a few special guests, including acclaimed film and television director, Ken Loach.

The scheme, at Vicarage Road in Mickleover, is the most environmentally friendly development that Derwent Living has built to date. The scheme consists of one 3 bed-house, two 2-bed houses and four 2-bed apartments, all available to rent at affordable rates.

The properties come with a number of eco-technologies as standard and features include new environmentally friendly construction methods such as insulated render walls and triple glazed windows with carbon neutral wooden frames. Other features include photovoltaic panelling, hot water solar panelling, rainwater harvesting and highly efficient A rated eco-gas boilers.

To celebrate this flagship scheme, the housing provider held a launch event on Wednesday 16 November, where the development was officially opened by film director Ken Loach, Derby North MP Chris Williamson and the Mayor of Derby -Councillor Les Allen. Derwent Living chair Suzy Brain England led the ceremonies.

Guests took a tour of the impressive scheme after hearing from the speakers, including Ken Loach. Ken has a close affinity with the work that Derwent Living does, after spending much of his career directing and producing gritty dramas highlighting inequality and social issues.

The properties at Mickleover are the first Level 5 Code for Sustainable Homes developed by Derwent Living. The Code complements the system of Energy Performance Certificates for new homes introduced in 2008 and builds on the most recent changes to building regulations in England and Wales.

Suzy Brain England, chair of Derwent Living said: "I am so proud that Derwent Living through its financial expertise privately found £909,000 to add to the £480,000 grant from the Homes and Communities Agency to make possible this £1.4m development.

"This new scheme meets my personal aspiration to see Derwent Living homes meeting the Lifetimes Homes Standard enabling occupancy by families throughout the various stages of their life." 

The scheme has been allocated to people in priority need in the Derwent Living operating area. Residents will work in partnership with Derwent Living whilst they live at the scheme, giving feedback and updates about the new environmental technologies to allow Derwent Living to easily introduce similar features in future builds.

Ken Loach said: "This new scheme is really good news. After directing a television drama about homelessness early in my career, I developed a real interest in social housing. It is hard to believe that there are still 1.7million households waiting for social housing and 62,000 families that are homeless, which is a huge issue in today's society. It is not just about where people live, but it also affects families, and particularly children, in terms of their lifestyles - particularly if they live in bad housing. This scheme is of a very high standard and I'm sure the new residents will be very happy here."

Chris Williamson MP says: "I'm delighted that Derwent Living has provided this sustainable development in Derby. It has lower environmental impact than other housing schemes and will minimise energy bills for the people who live here. This is exactly the type of housing scheme we should be encouraging" 

After the opening, Ken Loach went on to a special screening and Q&A at Derby's Quad cinema and arts centre. The Quad have kindly made a donation to Derwent Living's award winning domestic violence refuge.

Partners involved in the Vicarage Road project were the Homes & Communities Agency (HCA), Derby City Council, developers Lindum Sturgeon, WT Partnership, Franklin Ellis Architects and BSP Engineers.