SOCIAL HOUSING GETS SUSTAINABLE

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03/01/13

SOCIAL HOUSING GETS SUSTAINABLE

The scheme, which has been developed by Rooftop Housing, is one of new legacy of sustainable social housing with each property being built to the highest energy and efficiency building regulation standards.

Currently all affordable housing must meet Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3, which sets the national standard for the sustainable design and construction of new homes. These new properties will reach the highest level (Level 6), which is aimed at reducing carbon emissions and minimising energy consumption, resulting in carbon zero housing with lower bills and less waste to the new occupants.

Sustainable building contractor Speller Metcalfe will be responsible for the building works, having previously built many properties to Code Level 6; with extensive experience in sustainable design, they are looking forward to the challenge.

“While we have built award-winning social housing and Code Level 6 homes in the past, this is the first time those two ideals have come together,” said Matt Brown, Living Division Manager at Speller Metcalfe.

“The UK is indeed in the midst of a housing shortage but it is refreshing to acknowledge the Government’s commitment to a sustainable future, rather than just building to meet numbers. We all understand the need to cut carbon emissions and reduce energy waste, but it’s putting this into action that counts. We will be working with our Ecobuild team and using BIM to design and develop the scheme.”

Work will begin on site in March, with Speller Metcalfe aiming to make the project a sustainable build from the get go. The majority of sub-contractors will be procured from within a 30 mile radius to reduce travel miles, along with features such as solar panels to charge batteries on site, rainwater stored to flush toilets and reuse of building materials from other Speller Metcalfe sites.
 

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