Product category:
Building Energy Efficiency and Sustainability
News Release from: Ecos Trust | Subject: First zero carbon homes in the UK,
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 09 May 2007
Setting a new sustainable standard
ECOS Homes is embarking on a pioneering project in Somerset to build some of the very first zero carbon homes in the UK, which will be exempt from stamp duty.
Using experience gained from building Great Bow Yard in Langport, ECOS Homes' first award-winning eco-home development, the Company will design and construct the homes to the Code for Sustainable Homes'[ii] highest level, six Situated in the historic hamlet of Stawell, with easy access to Bridgwater and the M5, the homes will show carbon neutral living in a small community setting
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 7 Feb 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
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Build sustainably, live sustainably
'Build sustainably, live sustainably' -this is the message that the Somerset Trust for Sustainable Development (STSD) will be conveying during the Homes for Good Exhibition 2006.
Eco-living and sustainable building at exhibition
Visitors to the Homes for Good Exhibition 2006 will be able to view the most innovative and up to date developments in eco-living and sustainable building.
Charles Couzens, Chief Executive of the ECOS Trust[iii], comments: "The eco-homes at Great Bow Yard demonstrate how low carbon properties can be built effectively, and importantly that there is consumer demand for homes of this nature.
At Stawell, we will go a step further by showing how homes can run with no net carbon emissions, and what's more, that this can be done without government subsidies.
We will share our experiences with other house builders as we did at Great Bow Yard, so that they can see the potential and practicalities of building sustainably".
Further reading
The Homes for Good Exhibition 2006
Somerset Trust for Sustainable Development organised the exhibition to demonstrate new sustainable building techniques for self builds or those wanting eco-friendly lifestyle advice.
Sustaining the green theme
South West Eco-Homes is celebrating the completion of its new 'green' show home at Great Bow Yard in Langport.
Work has started at the site, called the Old Apple Store because of its original use, this month and prices will be set in line with the average for the area in June.
There will be three terraced houses with three bedrooms and two detached houses with four bedrooms, all of which will achieve zero carbon status by the most energy efficient design and use of sustainable technologies.
These will include; timber frames, sedum roofing, exceptionally high levels of insulation, natural paints and plasters to give a healthy internal environment and the use of solar and biomass energy sources.
Some designs also incorporate internal sunspaces to make maximum use of the sun's energy, and natural light has been an important feature in the architectural concept.
Space to work at home has also been a consideration when designing each property.
Stawell is near a National Nature Reserve and site of Scientific Special Interest (SSSI) and is situated in the lea of the Polden Hills, above the Somerset Levels.
Specially landscaped gardens will encourage wildlife and give residents an area to grow their own produce, and an internal courtyard, with a shared residents' electric pool car, will provide parking and garages.
ECOS Homes aims to complete the development by the end of 2007.
Charles continues: "The homes at Stawell will support the environment and the surrounding community, whilst providing a healthy and efficient living space for residents.
ECOS Homes will be appointing a local contractor to the project shortly, and the design of the homes will blend both traditional and contemporary styles to compliment the existing location.
"We strongly believe that poor quality homes that are cheap to build, and increasingly expensive to heat, are no longer acceptable.
We will continue to demonstrate in real life terms the potential and practicalities of a new ecological approach to building sustainably and living sustainably.".
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