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Living low carbon
Real changes need to be made to the way we approach achieving the higher levels of the Code for Sustainable Homes and the way we perceive ‘eco’ developments. Building homes is the easy part – the real challenge will be encouraging home owners to live a low carbon lifestyle.
This is something we are keen to see happen at Hanham Hall in South Gloucestershire, the first of our Carbon Challenge sites. The vision presented for the site by the chosen development consortium, led by Barratt Developments Plc, is inspiring and exciting. But the new community will also be liveable and work for the people who set up home there. For the first time, Code Level 6 will be delivered on a large-scale and the aim is to offer the opportunity to live a ‘normal’ life but with a small or substantially reduced carbon footprint.
Hanham Hall was originally a modest farmhouse, added to and aggrandised in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. In 1803 it was acquired by a wealthy local landowner and industrialist who made further additions and alterations. It ceased to be a family residence during the first World War and in 1916 evolved into a hospital for mental health patients.
Its valuable history will be preserved through the restoration of the Hall for use as a community centre, at the heart of this cutting edge development. A Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant will deliver carbon neutral electricity and heat for the homes and a development trust will be created to ensure that the aspirations of the design team are carried through the whole delivery process.
The Barratt approach to developing the new community of around 200 homes is to focus on holistic sustainability. They, along with English Partnerships, want Hanham Hall to be a place where low carbon lifestyle choices are the easy option rather than a chore. Measures ranging from local intranets and home office spaces to convenient allotments and local farm shops will offer future and existing local residents a range of options that are enjoyable, healthy and good for the planet.
The development sets out to demonstrate how Code Level 6 can be achieved, three years ahead of mandatory legislation. Meeting the higher levels of the Code will not be easy, but unless pioneers such as English Partnerships and its partners continue to sprint ahead to deliver programmes like the Carbon Challenge, the industry as a whole will be left at the starting line.
© English Partnerships 2003-2008