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Green Affordable Housing For Oban

Posted: 03/08/2006

A new affordable housing development in Oban, contains one of the UK’s largest biomass district heating systems. The development of 44 new homes was developed by West Highland Housing Association and supported by £3million from Communities Scotland. It includes one and two bedroom flats and a mixture of two, three and four bedroom houses for rent. A further 46 homes are currently being built at a neighbouring site.

The development’s biomass district heating system burns waste wood from the Argyll forests, a renewable energy source that will support local jobs as well as the environment and will ensure an energy efficient supply of heat and hot water serving all of the 90 homes.

The properties also benefit from a heat recovery ventilation system. In addition to recycling heat from the houses attic spaces, this ventilation system will also provide “positive pressurisation” of the houses which will result in a vast decrease of allergens within them. This system has been endorsed by the British Allergy Association;

The houses all incorporate high levels of insulation and materials from sustainable sources, such as timber components, which have not been treated with chemicals.

Communities Minister Malcolm Chisholm said, “This development, and the ongoing building work to create even more homes on the neighbouring site, will make a significant contribution towards meeting the need for affordable housing in Oban. The Executive is committed to delivering high quality homes throughout Scotland and to substantially increase the use of renewable energy within them. I am impressed by the standard of design I have seen here and the innovative use of biomass and energy efficient measures to reduce energy consumption".

“Good buildings are developed well when people work together and it is clear to see here evidence of positive partnership working. I recently announced a record spend of £16 million to fund affordable housing developments in Argyll and Bute over the next year. This will ensure that even more affordable homes, for which I know there is a demand, are built in the area.”

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