Severnside opens green homes

Published by Matt Critchley for Severnside Housing in Housing and also in Communities

Residents joined their local councillor last week to cut the ribbon at a development of new, energy efficient green homes, just outside Shrewsbury.

Residents of the new Severnside homes joined ward member Cllr. Roger Evans to cut the ribbon at Brook Gardens, off The Leasowes in Ford on Wednesday 3 March.

The £1m development consists of 10 detached and semi-detached eco-friendly and energy efficient homes, for rent and shared ownership. All of the homes are of the latest timber-framed construction, and incorporate a number of green measures, including high levels of insulation, energy efficient gas condensing boilers, supplemental solar panels for heating hot water and gas filled double-glazed doors and windows, which aim to save around £535 per household, per year*.

Additionally, the new homes all feature rainwater harvesting systems. These collect and store rainwater from guttering, which is then reused for non-drinking applications such as toilet flushing and washing machines. These systems aim to reduce a household’s water consumption by up to 50 per cent, leading to extra savings of around £100 per household.

All of these homes are suitable for wheelchair access. As a result of the energy efficient features that have been included, these homes have been awarded Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3. They have also been awarded Lifetime Homes and Secured by Design accreditation.

Work on the £1million project was funded by Severnside Housing and through the Government’s Affordable Housing Grant programme, and was completed by developers S.J. Roberts Construction Ltd.

All six of the homes for rent have now been let to people with a local connection to Ford, in line with the planning conditions. The remaining four homes are available on a shared ownership basis, from £56,250 for a 50 per cent share, with rent payable on the remaining share. Purchasers may then increase their share up to a maximum of 80 per cent ownership. These restrictions are in place to ensure low-cost housing for rural communities is preserved.

Sarah Boden, Chief Executive at Severnside Housing, said: “It was wonderful that so many people could join us to mark the completion of Brook Gardens, our third recently completed development. These homes meet stringent design, quality and environmental standards, and provide much needed homes in a rural setting.”

Cllr. Roger Evans, ward member for Ford, and Affordable Housing Champion for Shropshire Council, said: “Severnside has been working in partnership with Shropshire Council to address the need for affordable housing on a number of sites. These new homes in Ford meet local needs, and help to support the local community, particularly as new families bring new children to the local school.”