08/08/14
SPELLER METCALFE NOW FINALISTS FOR NATIONAL HOUSING AWARD
The Malvern-based construction company, well known for their eco projects, recently completed one the UK’s greenest affordable housing schemes based in Evesham.
Blake’s Hill is a development of 10 houses built for Rooftop Housing Group, which has met the highest sustainable accreditation available for domestic homes – Code for Sustainable Homes Level 6 – and is one of the first affordable housing schemes in the UK to achieve this.
The properties are all zero carbon – meaning they produce no carbon emissions and energy bills are significantly lower than the national average at around £345 per year. Other features include rooftop PV panels, harvesting rainwater for gardens and a shared allotment for all tenants to enjoy.
It has certainly been a bumper year for Speller Metcalfe, who has also been recognised this year for building the most sustainable non-domestic building in world, an industrial depot for Western Power Distribution in Lincolnshire.
The Sustainable Housing Awards put the spotlight on the best green social housing projects constructed in the UK, and the organisations responsible for them. The trophies will be presented at a ceremony hosted by one of the world’s greatest living explorers, Sir Ranulph Fiennes on Friday 17 October in London.
Emma Maier, Editor of Inside Housing, said: “Housing accounts for 25% of UK carbon emissions, so reducing emissions from new and existing homes is vital if the UK is to meet its carbon reduction targets.
“The Sustainable Housing Awards recognise and reward social housing providers that are playing a pioneering role in greening the UK’s housing stock – and tackling fuel poverty.
“The awards are in their seventh year, and, once again, we have been inundated with entries from the leading organisations who have been behind the most innovative and impressive projects in the UK. It is a brilliant achievement for Speller Metcalfe and the team responsible for the Blake’s Hill project to be shortlisted in the face of such fierce competition. We are thrilled to be able to host the awards ceremony that recognises the work of the housing sector’s sustainable pioneers.”
The sponsors of the awards include: Breyer Group, H + H, Higgins, Keepmoat, SPS envirowall, Sustainable Homes and Wates Living Space.