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Shropshire Housing Scheme Wins Green Award

Posted: 05/04/2005

A new housing development in Craven Arms has secured Shropshire's first Eco Home Excellence Award - one of only ten recipients in England. The South Shropshire Housing Association development in Station Crescent was officially opened last week. The Ludlow-based social landlord part funded the £1,791,445 development in conjunction with South Shropshire District Council (SSDC), Clear Skies, the Housing Corporation and private borrowing.

The 20-dwelling scheme, built on a former railway siding, was completed in 15 months and comprises seven two-bedroom houses; seven three-bedroom houses and six two-bedroom flats. The project, in line with SSHA's sustainable building policy, was constructed by the same partnering team which completed Hereford's successful Coningsby Street development.

In her opening ceremony speech, SSHA chair Shena Latto said: "This innovative development includes a range of features such as solar panels and glazing which will give a big return to the owners on their fuel bills. "The dwellings are low energy, and where building regulations govern the amount of heat loss through the structure, we have invested substantially in the insulation of walls and roofs. "All the buildings are orientated in a south-facing direction, and passive solar energy created in the solariums - two-storey conservatories, shaded to avoid overheating in the summer but allowing winter sun to penetrate and heat the space - will provide energy savings to tenants."

Shena thanked the partners, including designers, constructors, cost and energy consultants, SSDC and the SSHA board, who had all contributed to the development receiving an Eco Home excellence award. She also thanked the tenants for allowing the guests to view their homes. Tenants have already reported "a massive reduction" in fuel bills due to the environmental features in their new homes.

Shropshire Star  
 

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