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Work is about to start on building some of the most energy efficient homes in the country. Six should be ready for use in Todmorden by January and six more are due to be built to even more exacting standards at Hebden Bridge and Luddenden Foot.
As well as being affordable, the aim is that they should meet new zero carbon standards and use less energy than they generate through carbon emissions.
They will be highly insulated and use only renewable sources of energy. Calderdale Council has earmarked £300,000 for the homes to be built by Pennine Housing 2000 and Bramall Construction. “We are delighted to be able to work with the council to deliver this exciting new project and also be able to offer homes to the people that will achieve zero carbon status ahead of Government time scales,” said Pennine’s asset manager Hilary Brady.
Pennine has already built two properties at Willow View, Illingworth, Halifax, which meet the Code for Sustainable Homes level four standard. The six at Mount Pleasant, Cornholme, Todmorden, will aim for level five.
Four of those at Hebden bridge and Luddenden Foot will also be built to standard five and two to the ultimate level six, although sites have still to be confirmed. “There are distinct differences in design and costs to meet levels five and six and the pilot will provide an excellent opportunity to benchmark for construction costs. And by working with residents who will eventually live in these homes, we will be able to assess the running costs of these thermally efficient properties,” said Ms Brady.
Pennine also intends to work with schools to raise knowledge and awareness of zero carbon, Government targets and technical design issues. The Government wants all houses to be built to a zero-carbon standard by 2016.
“These houses should prove very popular to live in as running costs will be far less than other houses,” said the council’s community services spokesman Ian Cooper (Con, Todmorden). “This is cutting-edge technology – developers will be able to learn from this project for future house building in Calderdale and beyond.”
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When it comes to saving brass (money) we in Yorkshire know how to do it. Have a very well insulated home. When it gets cold invite in a few friends to add body heat. Friends who fish or shoot peasants are even more welcome as they also provide the food. Sorry I meant pheasants not peasants.