Town Crier Announces Green Homes for Penkridge

The project by Housing Plus on behalf of South Staffordshire Housing Association aims to compare the green credentials of a brand new house against that of a refurbished house.

Building work on the homes has just started in Clay Street, Penkridge as Sue Rowley, Managing Director of South Staffordshire Housing Association explains "The aim of the project is to see whether you can really make a refurbished house as green and efficient as a new build. We will be measuring energy ratings, performance and fuel bills to see whether in the future we can provide our customers with eco-homes that are super-efficient to run."

Both homes will include:

• a Swedish heating system which uses natural resources;
• solar powered hot water;
• triple glazing; and 
• low energy lighting.

Ursula Bennion, group development director for Housing Plus continues, "Our eco-homes have been designed to very high standards and to fit in with existing Penkridge buildings. What we learn will help us consider how we can cut emissions and fuel poverty in the future."

Town crier, Bevan Craddock announcing the project said: "I very much welcome this project in Penkridge.  It is a big step in the right direction which should lead towards lower running costs in our homes and a more sustainable form of living.  Over 30 years ago, my father was researching Heat Pumps for home heating when they were in their pioneering stage – I am very pleased that the Housing Association is now leading the way in Penkridge with this new technology."

The new eco-project, which has been part funded by South Staffordshire Council, has also been welcomed by Council bosses Councillor David Billson, (Deputy Leader) Strategic Services at the Council commented: "This is a brand new project which could really pave the way for greener and more sustainable development across the District in the future. Projects like this are helping to provide much needed affordable homes for local people, whilst the new eco-measures could really help bring down fuel bills. We'll be very excited to see the results of this innovative experiment".

The building work, which will meet Sustainable Homes Code Level 4, is being carried out by Kaneal Construction of Stafford, while Housing Plus’s Staffordshire Property Care team will carry out the refurbishment of the existing house.