Homes that don't cost the earth are unveiled in
Crewkerne

15th April 2008

Hardy Court , Crewkerne is an exciting new development of two three-bed houses and two two-bed flats, and was officially opened yesterday by the Mayor of Crewkerne, Mike Best. The event included the opportunity for guests to view three of the new homes, and see displays by many of the partner contractors/suppliers.

It is the second of three South Somerset Homes Code for Sustainable Homes pilot projects, and funded jointly by South Somerset District Council and the Housing Corporation.

In today’s society, with the ever increasing concerns of the effect society has on global warming and environment, developers, such as South Somerset Homes have to provide homes with a minimal environmental impact that satisfy the housing needs of future generations to come.

The Housing Corporation (the Government agency that funds new affordable homes and regulates housing associations in England), has introduced a rating system for new homes called “the Code for Sustainable Homes”. It is an independently verified assessment with a six level scale, level 0 being building regulation standard up to level six being carbon neutral. Hardy Court has reached level 4 which will benefit residents with the knowledge that their home will reduce their carbon footprint and also reduce bills and running costs.

The homes benefit from a combination of:

• A heavily insulated timber frame designed to be 'carbon neutral' with a U value of 0.15 W/m²k
• Sustainable timber windows
• Either Air Source heat pumps (ASHP) or Exhaust Air Source heat pumps (EASHP)
• Underfloor heating
• Solar panels
• MVHR
• 'lifetime homes compliant' to all but the first floor flat
• All showers and sanitary fittings are fitted with low flow, low flush fittings (required for the new code)

Cllr Ric Pallister, South Somerset District Council's Portfolio Holder for Housing, Environmental Health and Inclusion says, " Building sustainably with the lowest possible carbon footprint is a high priority for South Somerset District Council and we need to ensure that future affordable housing is built to the highest sustainable standards. By working alongside South Somerset Homes and making a financial contribution to the exemplar scheme at Hardy Court in Crewkerne we are helping to reduce CO2 emissions and benefit tenants by providing homes that cost less to run. We believe that the success of this scheme will not only provide a blueprint for all future housing but also help to persuade private sector developers that they should be following the same route.

"It is only by working together that anyone of us will be able to make a difference, our partnership with South Somerset Homes and the Housing Corporation is producing real results that will last long in the future, both in providing affordable homes for local people, and in doing what we can to protect the environment for the future.”

Mike Best Mayor of Crewkerne is pictured with a selection of South Somerset Homes Board Members and staff along with members of partnering organisations and South Somerset District Councillors outside the three bed eco homes at Hardy Court.