Published on 18th April 2011

New eco homes taking shape.

A visit to Cheltenham Borough Homes' (CBH) Brighton Road housing development gave MP Martin Horwood, representatives from CBH and local councillors a chance to see first hand why thanks to the installation of cutting edge technologies, residents of the 16 new homes will be able to enjoy cheaper energy bills and do their bit for the environment.

Work on the CBH led project started in October 2010 and since then the construction of the 16 new homes has progressed well, with works on site now concentrating on internal fittings and finishes.

To view progress and to see at first hand the environmental credentials of these properties, on Wednesday 13 April the Brighton Road site played host to the party of VIPs including: Cheltenham MP Martin Horwood; CBH Chief Executive, Paul Davies, and CBC Leader, Steve Jordan.

Paul Davies, Chief Executive at CBH said: "The Brighton Road development is a flagship project for CBH as not only will the homes boast pioneering environmental performance, they are also the first set of new affordable homes that we have built. After careful planning and extensive consultation with local residents, the final designs were developed to create an attractive and sustainable living environment, whilst also providing homes to meet local housing needs. Having visited the site I am delighted to see that we are achieving this and we are all looking forward to seeing the homes finished and to welcoming back previous tenants and new families into the community." 

The 16 new homes have all been built to the Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4. They will offer tenants big savings on their fuel bills thanks to:

  • photo-voltaic panels - which will contribute a significant percentage of free electricity to each household
  • high efficiency gas boilers 
  • high level of insulation in walls and loft space
  • mechanical ventilation and heat recovery (MVHR) - which recovers 91% of the heat from the outgoing waste air and transfers it to the incoming air, removing damp warm air from kitchens and bathrooms

Cllr Klara Sudbury, Cabinet Member for Housing and Safety at CBC said: "I have been pleased to see the progress made with the development so far and am impressed with the way the new homes complement the existing historic Georgian style properties. It's great that so much consideration has been given to the energy performance of the properties and their impact on the environment. I'm looking forward to seeing tenants move into the finished homes which will provide much needed, good quality, affordable accommodation in the town centre."

The project has been funded by a loan - which will be repaid from rental income, a capital subsidy from Cheltenham Borough Council and an £800,000 grant from the Homes and Communities Agency ( HCA ).

The construction of the properties is being carried out by EG Carter Ltd who has been on site since October 2010. The completed properties are expected to be handed over by Summer 2011.

ENDS

 

Notes for editors

Cheltenham Borough Homes:

  • CBH is one of the top rated ALMOs (Arms Length Management Organisations) in the country. ALMOs are not for profit companies that run social housing services for their local council.
  • Currently CBH manage and maintain around 5,000 tenant and leasehold properties with an overall satisfaction level of 85%, placing them in the top ten ALMOs nationally 
  • The organisation's approach to community development and participation; governance and equality and diversity has been recognised as good practice nationally
  • CBH continue to develop excellent services by working closely with customers.  It will include building new homes and continuing to regenerate communities whilst tackling issues of worklessness and addressing social enterprise

For further information visit: www.cheltborohomes.org

Press contact: Catherine Best e: [email protected] t: 01242 775317