The house that Gallions built wins commendation

Gallions Housing Association's Ecopark in Thamesmead won a commendation in the ODPM Construction and Renovation Category of the Environment Agency's Water Efficiency Awards 2005.

Gallions Housing Association's Ecopark in Thamesmead in south Londo won a commendation in the ODPM Construction and Renovation Category of the Environment Agency's Water Efficiency Awards 2005.

The Ecopark contains 39 homes, each with cost-effective and practical water and energy efficiency design solutions that are easy to use and maintain.

Gallions were rewarded today at the Environment Agency's Water Efficiency Awards 2005 ceremony in Savoy Place, London.

Sir John Harman, Chairman of the Environment Agency hosted the event, which also featured keynote speeches from the Minister for Environment and Agri-Environment, Elliot Morley MP and Channel 4's Grand Design television presenter Kevin McCloud.

The houses promote the efficient use of water and feature a variety of other environmentally friendly characteristics, such as high levels of insulation, timber framed double-glazed windows filled with Argon gas, composting bins and water based paints.

The development's landscaping has also been designed with the environment in mind and includes half-open pavement areas to allow rainwater to soak into the ground and reduce run-off.

The judges' panel said the project was: "An important contribution to the sustainable housing agenda" Also commended was Beaumont Community Primary School's new sustainable school building project.

The aim of this project was to build a 'normal' school, which took every possible step to reduce its impact on the environment, and to use as little mains water as possible.

The judges' panel commented that the project got the value of water into education.

As in previous years, the entries were of great quality and diversity.

The judges had a hard job to decide on the winners.

Graham Setterfield, Chairman of the Judges Panel said: "All the finalists showed a strong commitment to water efficiency".

"We had a really difficult time picking the winners".

"The winning and commended projects, however showed they were willing to 'go the extra mile'" The Awards play a crucial role in developing understanding of what can be done to use water wisely and particularly the practical steps that can be taken and the financial and environmental benefits.

All the finalists demonstrated water efficiency good practice as well as resulting financial savings and are featured in a special Water Efficiency Awards publication.

This will be used to inspire other organisations to take action and use water wisely.

For more information on the awards and the winning, commended and finalist entries, see the website at http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/savewater.

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