Low carbon housing numbers smashed – Number of homes at Code level six tripled!
Posted by Allan Guy on Tue, Dec 13, 2011
As of April 2011 there were less than 40 code level six homes built in the UK. Wakefield and District Housing wanted to raise the bar. On Wednesday 2 November 2011 in Castleford a further 91 Code for Sustainable Homes level six properties were opened, more than tripling the number of Code for Sustainable Homes level six properties in the country.
Wakefield and District and partners have gone significantly beyond the zero carbon definition. They have illustrated the future.
WDH was established in April 2005 and became the largest single transfer housing organisation in the country when it took ownership of homes from Wakefield Council. It manages 31,000 properties occupied by 100,000 tenants and has a workforce of over 1,400 people, making it one of the largest local employers.
We are proud to say that Wakefield and District housing are members of SHIFT, the sustainability best practice group. SHIFT provides an independent assessment of the sustainability of organisations. Support is also provided with best practice events and networking. Wakefield and District is a prime example of a SHIFT member influencing the national agenda by engaging with residents, building to low carbon and leading by example.
The development was part funded by the Homes and Community Agency (HCA), designed by NPS Group Property Design and Management Services and built in partnership with Keepmoat, each one of the 91 homes will use a ground-breaking combination of energy-saving and carbon-reducing features that will make the new estate the biggest-ever “Zero Carbon” social housing scheme in the country.
Why Park Dale?
The Park Dale development is the culmination of Wakefield and District Housing’s (WDH) long-term aspiration to build affordable, 21st century homes for sale and rent. The area previously had a reputation as a challenging area to live in.
Since the transfer of housing stock from Wakefield Council to WDH in 2005; WDH planned to rejuvenate the estate physically, environmentally and socially. This included building confidence back up in the community so that people felt Airedale was a great place to live.
What can be found in the scheme?
The efficiencies achieved by the two, three and four-bedroom properties mean that people will not only reduce their carbon footprint, but also save money on their energy bills long term. Tenants can expect to receive great energy savings including:
- lower heating demand - expected to be one fifth of a traditional home;
- total energy bills are expected to be 40% less than an average home and 25% - less than a modern new build;
- water bill savings from low water use fittings and grey water recycling;
- the potential to save more on bills by using appliances during the day when solar power is free; and
- optimum insulation, air tightness and triple glazing leading to a warm, draught-free home.
To ensure that the performance of each house is maximised WDH will be monitoring energy use at all the properties at Park Dale. Smart Meters have been fitted in each home, which means that tenants can see how energy is being used for themselves. WDH will then use the information gathered to discuss with tenants how even more savings could be made in the future.
Every one of the homes have mechanical ventilation and heat recovery systems, solar photovoltaic panels that enable the landlord to sell power back to the National Grid, superior levels of internal air tightness and grey water recycling as well as many more energy-saving features.
Homes in the new neighbourhood will draw heat from its own “Eco Centre” – a district biomass heating system that will be powered by renewable wood pellets produced in Yorkshire.
How has the development been received?
The development has been very well received and with more than 40 expressions of interest made for each property; demand for a Park Dale home is high.
WDH Chief Executive Kevin Dodd said: “WDH is very proud to have created the UK’s largest Zero Carbon social housing development. In addition to the creative look of the homes, they offer fantastic savings on energy bills. The entire project has had some outstanding benefits for the local community, including the WDH apprentices who learned many skills while working on the site.”
Andrew Eagles, Managing Director of Sustainable Homes said: “This is an outstanding example of our SHIFT members leading the way. Code level six properties are significantly beyond zero carbon.
Wakefield and District have illustrated that lower carbon properties and in-depth engagement with residents is possible. This and their work with apprentices in developing the scheme is to be commended. We will be bringing SHIFT members and Government officials for a visit to this exemplar scheme.”
Benefits of living in the scheme
Energy savings are expected to be as equally impressive: tenants will save significant amounts of money each year on household energy bills, with water bills reduced by using recycled water to flush toilets.
Residents of the scheme and in the local area will be invited to learn how to make these savings through sessions held at the specially designed “Eco Centre”, which forms part of the scheme.
Prospective tenants have been made aware of the responsibility that living in a zero-carbon home brings before they committed to living at Park Dale. It is important to choose tenants who share the energy saving values of Park Dale and will therefore maximise the benefits available to them.
