Halifax-based construction company Southdale has recently completed three new homes that respectively achieved Level three, four and five ratings under the Code for Sustainable Homes.
The project was delivered through a partnership with Leeds Metropolitan University and the Leeds College of Building.
The completed project, situated on Eldon Road in Rotherham, successfully reached the goal of transforming a derelict site into sustainable homes. This was an important step on the way to conforming to the government goal of zero carbon emissions for all new homes by 2016.
The Green Building Press reported that this project by Southdale was a pilot scheme on behalf of Chevin Housing Association and Rotherdam MBC. The academic institutions were involved to study the project.
Students and lecturers from the institutions conducted a study to gain insight into Southdale?s approach, skills and experience in constructing the homes.
Extensive prior research by Southdale enabled the company to include a wide range of sustainable design features. These included reducing air leakage, boosting thermal insulation, and introducing nine new plant species into the garden areas of the development.
The completed project will hold exciting possibilities for the future of sustainable homes, both in terms of the environment and construction costs.
Trudie McCormick, the technical director of the scheme, said that the ?fabric first? approach was a way to achieve: ?the Code ratings without depending solely on renewable technologies which can be costly and impractical for residents to use and maintain in the long term.?
In this way, the needs of residents received at least as much consideration as the construction of the homes.
