Milestone for new energy-saving South Tyneside Council homes following £1.7m grant
A South Tyneside housing development has reached a milestone moment.
A pioneering development of council homes in South Tyneside has reached a major milestone.
The 17 new properties at Reynolds Avenue, South Shields are the first in the borough to be designed and built to the international Passivhaus standard and will provide homes for social rent.
The council received £1,683,000 in grant funding from Homes England for the scheme.
The development has now reached the topping out stage, with the roofs installed and the properties weatherproofed, marking a significant point in the construction of the new two, three and four-bedroom homes.
‘Much-needed council homes taking shape’
As well as increasing the supply of social housing, the scheme has been designed to help tackle fuel poverty by creating sustainable, ultra energy-efficient homes.
Passivhaus buildings constructed, insulated and ventilated to retain heat and maintain an almost constant temperature, requiring very little additional heating or cooling. They typically use 90% less energy than a conventional building, according to the Passivhaus Trust.
Cllr Steve Smith, lead member for Housing, said: “It is fantastic to see these much-needed council homes taking shape and on track for completion next Spring.
“This has been a challenging but genuinely exciting project for South Tyneside Council, and it has been great to see the innovation, expertise and commitment that have gone into delivering these homes.
“At the same time, we have a responsibility to ensure that our ambitions for innovation and sustainability are balanced against affordability, long-term maintenance and value for money.
“I hope that, as the market develops and these technologies become more affordable and accessible, we will be in a position to revisit projects of this kind in the future.”
‘Well suited to affordable housing’
The properties will incorporate triple-glazed windows and a range of renewable and low-carbon technologies, including solar PV panels, battery storage, air source heat pumps and ventilation systems with heat recovery.
Adam Vaughan, designer and director at JDDK Architects who designed the scheme said: “The Passivhaus standard is particularly well suited to affordable housing because it creates homes that are comfortable to live in, inexpensive to heat, and built to perform for the long term.”
Work has now moved into the internal construction phase, with drylining under way and mechanical and electrical contractors on site.
External work are scheduled for next month included landscaping, roads and other infrastructure.