Official opening for Bristol’s first ever ‘excellent’ Eco
Homes
19th June 2008
Redland’s Housing Association’s latest affordable
homes are also the first ever in Bristol to achieve the ‘excellent’
Eco Homes standard.
Residents have recently been settling into the energy-efficient
and environmentally friendly houses, and now an official opening
has marked their completion.
The seven two-bedroom homes at Hareclive Road in Hartcliffe have
been developed by Redland Housing Association and sold through the
New Build HomeBuy scheme, which allows them to buy a share of the
property and rent the remainder. This gives people a rare
opportunity to get on the housing ladder in an area that
traditionally provides many social rented homes.
The Eco Homes accreditation by the Building Research
Establishment rates the sustainability of a development, including
its energy efficiency, recycling possibilities and how close it is
to local amenities and public transport. The timber-framed
properties have been built by DB Russell (Construction) Ltd, a
regional building contractor based in Clevedon.
To achieve the ‘excellent’ rating, the development has been
rigorously designed to be both environmentally friendly in use and
during construction. This has included measures such as:
- Increased insulation with double the usual thickness for
external walls.
- High-efficiency boilers with low emissions.
- Low-energy lighting and flow restrictors to reduce water
consumption.
- Sound and air testing above the normal requirements.
- Water butts for rainwater recycling and enhanced provision for
recycling waste.
- Eco-planting to introduce a number of different plants into the
environment, with bird boxes to encourage varying bird life.
- Materials sourced from certified, sustainable sources and
general reductions in site waste, with as much recycled as
possible.
Louise Swain, Redland’s Managing Director, said:
‘It’s great to see these homes finished and
fully occupied. We will be watching closely to see what advantages
and savings the residents achieve, as a result of the ‘excellent’
Eco Homes rating. The homes have been well received by the
residents and represent a good example of how we work in
partnership with Bristol City Council to achieve high-quality,
affordable housing that is fit for the future.’
Bristol City Council contributed £400,000 towards the overall
cost of the scheme.
Councillor Helen Holland, Leader of Bristol City Council and
ward councillor, said:
‘This development is a great example of what
can be achieved with the right combination of investment,
imagination and partnership. It's fantastic to see these
energy-efficient, environmentally friendly homes being built in a
community where there is a real demand for affordable home
ownership and I am particularly pleased to know that the majority
of buyers are from the Hartcliffe and Withywood area. These quality
homes offer both Eco Homes “excellent” standard and genuine
opportunities for local people – making a difference in Bristol and
in Hartcliffe.’
New Build HomeBuy allows buyers to purchase a share in the
property, usually 50 per cent, and pay a subsidised rent on the
remaining share. If desired, buyers can purchase more of the
property at a later date until it is theirs outright. Priority was
given to applicants with a local connection to Bristol and who were
registered on Bristol City Council’s housing waiting list.
To find out more about New Build HomeBuy, call
Natalie Fowler on 01225 366307 or email sales@somer.org.uk.