The Paddock high-spec homes integrate luxury design and eco standards

(20/03/2009)

The plans for 42 high-spec homes to be built at a unique location on the edge of the City of Carlisle's Racecourse have been unveiled. All the dwellings have been designed to incorporate the latest practical energy saving measures to produce truly energy efficient homes.

Plans for this development of bespoke luxury homes by ndhomes are the first of their kind to be designed to reach Level 4 of the new requirements set out in the Code for Sustainable Homes which demand a 44 per cent reduction in carbon emissions on Part L of the 2006 Building Regulations by 2013. Currently 27 per cent of Britain’s carbon dioxide (C02) emissions, which add directly to global warming, come from homes (Carbon Trust 2007).

‘The Paddock’ development consists of a mixture of quality new build, semi-detached homes, town houses and apartments as well as sympathetic conversions of former stables to produce unique homes. All will be super-insulated and feature triple glazed windows, as well as featuring air source heat pumps widely used in Scandinavia. The houses which have all been designed to be south facing, will also incorporate solar thermal panels which will produce approximately 60 per cent of the homes’ hot water throughout the year, as well as contributing to their heating.

The dwellings have also been designed to have high thermal mass, helping to keep them cooler in the summer months. ndhomes anticipates that the heat energy consumption of its homes could be up to 80 per cent less than for the average home which according to Government data (BERR Energy Trends, September 2008) is 16,742kWh per annum in typical conditions.

Sustainable and where possible local materials will be used and the homes will incorporate modern eco standards such as recycling bins, bike storage areas, natural drying spaces and water saving fixtures including rainwater or grey water harvesting. In addition, the building of the homes will take place under the Considerate Constructor Scheme.

Martyn Boak, Managing Director for ndhomes, said: “This development will at last show luxury design and eco standards being integrated to produce beautiful, high-spec, contemporary living using environmentally conscious materials and construction. We are extremely proud to be the first house builder to be recognised by the BRE, the organisation running the Code on behalf of the Government, to be designing to Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes and to be doing so four years before the Government’s target of 2013. What’s more it’s also very rewarding to know that Cumbria and Carlisle can be seen to be leading the way in innovative and environmentally sound home-building and meeting the new demands of the home buyer.

“When the housing market emerges from its current decline house builders need to be ready and able to step up to the mark to meet new demands for modern technology, materials and methods of building – something which we recognise and are achieving in The Paddock development. House buyers will and must be more demanding, they should be looking for more than the kitchen and bathroom and we have got to adapt and embrace this change, quickly and professionally and provide quality and highly efficient homes. I am not sure that there will be a place for house builders creating large volumes of repetitive homes using national templates throughout the UK. Maybe now is a time to look to more regional models where perhaps house builders have more responsibility and a reputation at stake.

“In The Paddock proposals, we have created a plan for an exceptional cluster of exclusive homes on a distinctive setting on the edge of the City’s Racecourse. The homes have been planned with the modern needs and aspirations of the homeowner as well as the very highest energy efficiency standards in mind. Not only would those living in these homes enjoy the luxury and location of the dwellings, their space and first class fixtures, but they will be embracing environmentally conscious living with the real benefit of minimal ongoing energy bills.”

The development will be overseen by Alessandro Morganella from Northern Developments, who is an Accredited Assessor under the Code for Sustainable Homes.

Related categories:  Energy saving technologies   Environmental legislation   Environmental technologies for Residential and Green homes   Ground and air source heating   Rainwater harvesting   Solar power and photovoltaics   Waste water recycling