Pupils learn about saving energy at WDH eco-homes

Published by Richard Lord for Wakefield & District Housing in Housing and also in Bill Payments, Communities, Education, Environment, Health

Children involved in the naming of a new housing development in South Kirkby, West Yorkshire, got the chance to visit the site first hand to learn about their eco-friendly features.

The Wakefield and District Housing (WDH) site, which is situated off Holmsley Lane, was named Howell Mews and Western Court by pupils from Stockingate Mill School in a ‘name the street’ competition held last summer.

The children were given a guided tour of the homes and shown the ways in which energy can be saved in order to help the environment and reduce utility bills for the residents.

The 19 two and three-bedroom homes, available for rent and shared ownership, were built by Bramall Construction, part of the Keepmoat group, for WDH and project managed by Synergy Housing Solutions Ltd.

They include solar photovoltaic panels, duel flush toilets, low flow taps, energy saving light fittings and wider wall cavities – meaning better insulation and improved heat retention.

During the site visit, pupil Arnold Tabor, 9, said: “I really like the homes because they are eco-friendly. They are different from normal houses because they have solar panels on the roof and there is a monitor to show how much energy you are using.

“This is the first time I’ve seen them and they look really good.”

Fellow pupil Carmen Tsang, 8, said: “You can save a lot of water living here because the taps don’t run – they spray – and the toilet has a low flush button. There is a water butt in the garden so you can look after the garden with rainwater instead of using the tap.

“Also, the houses are nice and warm because the walls are really thick.”

Bramall gave a presentation at the school ahead of the visit to encourage the children to think about energy saving devices and they were then able to ask questions during the visit to WDH Programming Surveyor Andy Hollings.

WDH Tenant Involvement Officer Jane Gwilliam, who organised the school visit, said: “The children feel a part of this development because they helped to name it last summer.

“It was a great opportunity to show them what they had named, now that the homes have been built, and also a chance to teach them about how new homes can have a positive impact on the environment.”