Sovereign providing affordable homes at flagship zero carbon development

Published by Max Salsbury for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Development, Environment

Sovereign Housing Association is to provide 61 affordable homes at one of the country's flagship zero-carbon developments.

The social provider has signed a contract with builder Barratt Homes to run the properties at the site in Hanham Hall, South Gloucestershire.

The homes will consist of 54 general needs rental properties, eight of which will be wheelchair accessible, and seven shared ownership homes.

Hanham Hall, which is owned by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), will be made up of 185 eco-homes. The properties will be super-insulated timber-frame buildings, built to meet the highest energy efficiency standards.

Features include high levels of insulation and mechanical ventilation heat recovery (MVHR), which expels stale air, and brings in fresh air, as well as water recycling systems and alternative sources of energy such as photovoltaic solar panels.

James Gibson, Sovereign’s regional development director, said: "Sovereign is an organisation that takes its responsibility for the environment very seriously and we do all we can to reduce the environmental impact of our homes and business.

"For this reason, we are especially proud to be involved in a flagship development like Hanham Hall, and keen to play our part in building a strong and successful community here, including helping our residents adapt to this new way of living."

The Hanham Hall development is set in 12 acres of land and the original Grade II listed Hanham Hall building is being refurbished as part of the development plans.

Barratt's managing director, Richard Gregory, said he was delighted to be working with Sovereign. He said: "Since our launch last summer, homes at Hanham Hall have been in great demand.

"Visitors have been impressed with the design and specification of the homes, the stunning setting and the overall philosophy."

The first homes at the site were completed in the summer of 2012, and the project is expected to be finished by April 2015.

David Warburton, HCA Head of Area, said: "Providing high quality affordable homes for local people has always been an important part of what we are looking to achieve at Hanham Hall. When complete, this development will include a range of homes and commercial space for people to set up and grow their businesses.

"Now the development is taking shape, people are beginning to see the vision for the site being brought to life. Hanham Hall has already generated huge interest and I am sure that the affordable homes built here will be highly popular and make a significant difference to the area."

Cllr Matthew Riddle, Chair of South Gloucestershire Council’s Adults and Housing Committee, added: "We are delighted to be working in partnership with Sovereign to find the first residents to move into the completed affordable housing units in Hanham. This ground-breaking housing development will be accessible to a wide range of residents’ needs."