Isramart : Work starts on first zero carbon settlement

Isramart news:
Work officially starts today on England’s first large-scale zero carbon development at Hanham Hall near Bristol. Start on site will be marked by the arrival of key construction workers along with portable site offices and construction equipment. This follows completion of the formal contractual commitments and planning permissions between the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), the national housing and regeneration agency for England; and Barratt Developments PLC; and South Gloucestershire Council.

Welcoming the start on site, Robert Napier, chairman of the HCA said: “In the current economic climate, it is even more important that we take steps towards achieving a low carbon future. This milestone marks real progress for Hanham Hall, which will help people to live more sustainable lifestyles and provide homes that are attractive, affordable and extremely energy efficient.”

Mark Clare, Chief Executive of Barratt Developments PLC, said: “We are delighted to be starting work on the first zero carbon community at Hanham Hall. There is no doubt that there will need to be significant changes in the way that homes are constructed to meet higher environmental standards. This project places us at the forefront of that important agenda.”

The development will be the first created as part of the government’s Carbon Challenge initiative, which aims to help the housebuilding industry fast track a number of developments that significantly reduce the impact on the environment; provide important lessons for delivering low carbon development; and encourage people to live more sustainable lifestyles.

Recently, the innovative nature of the project was recognised with £0.8m additional funding from the government’s low carbon infrastructure initiative to provide an extension of the heat network from the onsite biomass CHP plant. This will be key to not only making the homes zero carbon but will also have the additional advantage of taking waste heat to neighbouring community buildings.

Hanham Hall is a former hospital site set in 6.6ha and features a Grade 2 Listed building.

Plans for the site include 195 homes that will conform to the highest level of the Code for Sustainable Homes and a range of shops and offices that will offer employment opportunities for the community. The homes will use energy and water efficiently, as well as minimising waste and carbon emissions.

Allotment gardens and greenhouses will be provided to encourage residents to grow their own fruit and vegetables and a farm shop will offer a range of locally sourced products. Existing hedgerows, meadows and orchards will be retained and extended, and some of the heritage buildings will be adapted for community use including a nursery and a café for residents and visitors.

Barratt Developments Plc will be responsible for the preservation and restoration of the listed hospital building and for the conservation of green spaces that surround it. Additionally a Residents’ Trust will be established to oversee the ongoing maintenance and care of the whole site.