Self-sufficient, zero fossil energy development

Wind turbine fitted to residential block in Bow is the first in Central London to be totally self sufficient in terms of energy usage after being fitted with a roof-top wind turbine.

Wind turbine fitted to residential block in Bow A residential block in Bow is the first in Central London to be totally self sufficient in terms of energy usage after being fitted with a roof-top wind turbine.

This turbine will be used to complement the range of environmental features that have been employed in this state-of-the-art property, built by developer Yorklake Homes and designed by architects BDa ZEDfactory , who are at the forefront of designing environmentally sustainable homes.

These stylish, cutting-edge apartments show how it is possible to address a low-carbon future at the same time as improving the quality of life in towns and cities.

Each home has its own terrace as well as a conservatory, which provides extra living space and acts as a miniature power station, meeting around half of the projected annual electricity demand.

The design of these homes enables the residents to use the biggest purchase of their lives to contribute actively towards a cleaner, safer future.

The four apartments at 56 Tomlins Grove, E3 are fitted with the following energy-saving features:.

* Solar panels that convert the sun's rays into electricity.

* A hot water boiler powered by wood pellets, produced from wood waste.

* Triple-glazed and krypton-filled windows to provide thermal and noise insulation.

* Exterior walls, exceptionally well insulated, which have a 300mm cavity filled with rock wool.

* Ceilings and floors constructed from concrete slabs, which act like super large storage heaters, storing heat in winter and coolness in summer.

* Wind cowls on the roof providing innovative high levels of ventilation and heat reclamation.

The Swift silent wind turbine, one of the first domestically available near silent wind turbines that generates power at mains voltage, which is designed by Renewable Devices and is being supplied by Scottish and Southern Energy plc, is being fitted.

When combined with the solar panels, the wind turbine will enable the development to generate as much electricity as it consumes.

James Kafton, manging director of developer Yorklake Homes, which built 56 Tomlins Grove, said: "We are extremely proud of this cutting-edge development, which is the first of its kind in Central London".

"It really is quite an achievement to develop a site in Central London that is able to satisfy its own energy needs, largely from solar and wind power, which do not damage our environment, without compromising the design and specification expected of high-end apartments".

"This puts Yorklake Homes at the forefront of environmentally-sustainable property development".

""Although the build cost was higher, considerable interest was shown in the four apartments and we have achieved prices above comparable, conventionally built properties in the area." He added: "The interest shown in 56 Tomlins Grove illustrates that demand is growing for environmentally-sustainable developments." Bill Dunster, of architects BDa ZEDfactory who designed the property, said: "This development meets all the requirements of a 21st century urban lifestyle, yet generates all its own energy from non fossil fuels from within its site boundaries.

This development really is a vision of the future.

The damage being done to our environment could be significantly reduced if more property developers were prepared to build in this way".

""With so many new developments required in the coming years, we would strongly encourage the Deputy Prime Minister to require a significant proportion of new homes to be built with this type of environmental specification".

"Obviously, the greater the number of new homes that are built incorporating these features, the greater the public demand for them and the more economical it will become to build in this way".

"This development shows that we do not need to increase nuclear power in order to reduce global carbon dioxide emissions.".

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