The City of York Council announced yesterday that it has contracted Caddick Construction to build the council’s first ever zero-carbon homes.
Under the agreement, the Yorkshire-based contractor will build 112 certified Passivhaus homes as part of the council’s Housing Delivery Programme.
The programme aims to build 600 homes across the city, 40-60% of which will be affordable – over twice what current planning guidelines require.
The first zero-carbon homes will be built on sites at Duncombe Barracks in Clifton and Burnholme in Heworth.
Local residents co-designed the projects alongside the council’s Stirling Prize-winning architects Mikhail Riches.
The homes will be well-insulated to Passivhaus standards, and feature rooftop solar panels, air-source heat pumps, and be constructed from timber – lowering the structure’s embodied carbon.
Much of the homes’ construction will take place off-site.
‘The standard for sustainable construction’
Cllr Denise Craghill, executive member for Housing and Safer Neighbourhoods at City of York Council, said: “Following rigorous procurement, I’m delighted that Caddick Construction is working with us to realise our Housing Delivery Programme’s vision.
“Our shared passion for Passivhaus aims to tackle climate change, energy bills and fuel poverty, and to inspire other developers and builders to be equally progressive and carbon-conscious.
“The high-quality, highly energy efficient homes Caddick will build are a significant step forward for housing in York, whilst also adding at least 40% affordable housing to the city’s stock.”
Caddick aims to source 70% of their subcontractors and suppliers within 30 miles of the site, and offer training on site through apprenticeships, traineeships, and higher qualifications for new and existing staff.
Richard Greenwood, Caddick Construction’s director of housing, said: “Caddick Construction is delighted to partner with City of York Council on this exciting project that will help set the standard for sustainable construction in the North.
“Green technology coupled with new building methods has come on in leaps and bounds in recent years, but we are yet to see these practices adopted wholesale in the UK housing market.
“City of York Council is being extremely forward-thinking in its sustainable approach to the Burnholme and Duncombe Barracks schemes, and the Caddick team is ready to demonstrate it is possible to design and produce high quality homes to a Passivhaus standard for the public sector.”
Image credit: sculpies/Shutterstock
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