Cutting edge eco-homes planned for Derbyshire

The most environmentally friendly homes in Derbyshire will be built in North Wingfield thanks to a housing and regeneration group.

LHA-ASRA has been given planning approval by North East Derbyshire District Council for 32 new affordable two bedroom bungalows for the over 55s at Wayside Close and Eyam Close, on land which has been provided by the council.

The development will be one of the first of its kind nationally to meet level four of the Government’s rigorous Code for Sustainable Homes. Elsewhere in the country, the vast majority of new homes for affordable rent are built to level three.

To reach the exacting standards for level four, the houses will have a state-of-the-art renewable heating system, which uses a biomass boiler run on wood pellets. It will be the first bungalow scheme in the east midlands to use a biomass heating system.

This will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 44% and also means residents will have lower gas and electricity bills. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas which, in large proportions, contributes to climate change.

The bungalows will also run efficiently on low levels of water, contain storage space for recyclables and have access to secure storage of electric scooters and bikes. Each bungalow will have a recharging station for mobility scooters and two will have full disabled access with a car port.

LHA-ASRA consulted with local councillors over the design and layout of the homes to ensure appropriate access arrangements and the retention of a permanent location for a Christmas tree which has been longstanding in the area.

Of the homes:

• 19 will be for affordable rent to people nominated from those bidding through the council’s Choicemove system
• Six will be sold for owner occupation
• Seven will be available through the Housing Corporation’s New Build HomeBuy scheme (previously called shared ownership). This enables people to buy part of the home and then pay less than market rent on the remainder.

All the homes will be specially designed for easy use by wheelchair users with two built to full wheelchair mobility standard.

One of the larger bungalows will be a four-bedroom disabilities unit for three young people and support workers. It will be managed directly by Derbyshire County Council’s Learning Disability Services.

LHA-ASRA is currently working with the young people and their families over the designs for this home.

The bungalows will meet the Lifetime Homes Standards which means they are adaptable to suit a range of needs to allow people to live independently in their own homes for as long as possible.

LHA-ASRA is contributing £100,000 towards this project and the Housing Corporation has awarded a grant of £333,000.

Robert Nettleton, Regeneration Director at LHA-ASRA, said: “These homes are genuinely ground-breaking in their use of eco-technology. Ultimately that means the homes will require less fuel for heating and lighting and with fuel prices rising so rapidly, minimising bills for our residents is a top priority.

“The plans are the result of a strong partnership with the council to ensure the homes fully meet the needs of the local community and we are delighted to get the go ahead to start building. We would like to thank both the council and the Housing Corporation for their support.”

North East Derbyshire District Council cabinet member for Housing and Social Inclusion, Councillor Betty Hill, said: “The council is very pleased to be working with LHA-ASRA on this innovative scheme.

"It will provide much needed housing for older people that is cheap and easy to run, comfortable and accessible.”

LHA-ASRA is working with the developer William Davis and a Community Employment Advisor from North East Derbyshire District Council to generate opportunities for construction training and employment.

Work on the scheme is set to start before the end of August and should be completed next summer.

LHA-ASRA has a history of working in North Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. It has taken over and refurbished more than 500 ex-British Coal homes since the 1990s and has been selected as one of the two preferred development partners for regeneration agency Meden Valley Making Places.