Our team provided Pre Contract Employer’s Agent, as well as Pre and Post Contract Principal Designer duties for Oak Tree Close, a mix of seven low-energy passivhaus standard properties including houses, bungalows and maisonettes which will be available for affordable rent.
The homes will be offered to people who share a connection to the village, which will be fantastic for local people who are looking to either stay in or return to their cherished community.
Appointed by Orbit Group, Waldeck have been working with stakeholders including New Meaning Group, Beattie Passive and Harper Group to sese the scheme through to completion.
Solution
This development will count towards the commitments set by Warwickshire Rural Housing Association (WRHA) to improve the environmental efficiency of their new builds.
In keeping with WRHA’s commitment and Stratford’s carbon-neutral ambitions, this development used the Beattie Passivhaus system. It’s an advanced low energy construction standard which creates buildings with very little environmental impact. It’s efficiency also keeps running costs to a minimum for residents.
Each of these low-energy, passivhaus standard homes boast solar panels and air source heat pumps which will help to reduce energy bills for its residents. Additional benefits include a 300mm cavity, filled with a blown insulation to improve the thermal capabilities of the property, whilst also providing vehicle charging points for the residents.
Also providing invaluable contributions to the build were trainees and graduates of New Meaning Construction’s sister organisation, the social enterprise New Meaning Training, which provides opportunities for young people who might otherwise not be in education or employment.
The Results
The support and funding provided by Stratford-on-Avon District Council has been invaluable to the success of this pioneering scheme.
Councillor Ian Shenton, Climate Change Portfolio Holder, Stratford-on-Avon District Council, explained how the development aligns with the council’s aims:
“This PassivHaus development is a great example of how we’re working in partnership in Warwickshire to respond to the climate emergency. The low-carbon construction and the innovative energy saving technologies support Stratford-on-Avon’s vision to be one of the UK’s first carbon-neutral districts.”
Councillor Daren Pemberton, Portfolio Holder for Place and Economy, Stratford-on-Avon District Council also shared his support:
“We are so pleased to support Warwickshire Rural Housing Association’s innovative development, which will provide high quality, low-carbon, affordable homes for the Bearley community. It demonstrates just what can be achieved by working closely with the community and creating open and honest partnerships that put our residents and communities centre stage.”
And Councillor Arslan Erinmez, Chair of Bearley Parish Council, explained what these homes mean for the village:
“Bearley Parish Council is delighted that the affordable housing have been constructed to the latest design and ecological standards. It is exciting to see the efforts and perseverance of the Parish Council over the past decade bringing our 20-year dream to a reality.”