Low carbon homes come to the Fylde coast

New Fylde Housing’s Lower Lane development in Freckleton is leading the way in sustainable living and has received recognition from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).

The £1.3 million scheme provides 15 homes for affordable rent and is the first Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3 development in the Fylde. The scheme has benefitted from £600,000 grant funding provided by the HCA.

The three and four-bedroom homes were constructed using sustainably sourced timber frames, which ensure excellent insulation. The buildings also have triple glazed windows, high energy efficiency boilers, low energy lighting, low water use sanitary ware and a heat recovery system, which provides fresh air and maintains comfortable temperatures whilst using very little energy.

The scheme itself also provides a Hydro-brake storm water attenuation system to prevent localised flooding in the event of rainwater deluge. In addition, covered cycle storage, compost bins and rainwater butts are also provided.

New Fylde Housing used locally based main contractors and consultants, local labour and locally sourced materials, wherever possible in this development.

New Fylde Housing Managing Director, Eric Tamanis, said: “The Code for Sustainable Homes has been high on New Fylde Housing’s agenda for some time. The Lower Lane scheme is a fine example of some of the most fuel efficient, energy saving, 'green' housing, ever delivered in this area.

“We are proud to be leading the way, on the Fylde coast, with sustainable living, and will continue to provide low carbon homes as part of our on-going development work.”

Deborah McLaughlin, HCA’s Regional Director North West, said: “This is an excellent scheme which will provide local people with the opportunity to live more sustainable lifestyles through the provision of high quality, energy efficient and affordable homes.“

Many more sustainable homes will be delivered across the Fylde in the coming months and years. In 2010, the first Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4 schemes will also be introduced.

The Lower Lane scheme has a second reason to celebrate after being certified as being Secured by Design (SBD) by Lancashire Police.

Secured by Design focuses on crime prevention at the design, layout and construction stages of homes, and promotes the use of security standards for a wide range of applications and products.

Eric Tamanis said: “The Secured by Design scheme is a national initiative, aimed to ‘design out’ the potential for crime, in collaboration with the police architectural liaison officer, on all new developments.

“We are proud to have this stamp on one of our schemes and to emphasise our promise to tenants to make our communities safe places in which to live.”