new affordable homes
year dream for the village
reduction in one resident's energy bill
Seven affordable, low energy homes, a mix of houses, bungalows and maisonettes, completed in the village of Bearley in August 2022.
Homes for local people
Built in partnership with Orbit, J Harper and New Meaning, the homes were the realisation of a 20-year dream for the village. They were available for social rent and only offered to people with a connection to the village, enabling local people to stay in, or return to, Bearley.
The need for these affordable homes was identified back in 2001 in the village’s first plan. The plan found that 'the majority of the village would like it to develop as a family community with affordable housing to keep the younger generation in the village'.
There are seven homes on the scheme, all for social rent:
- Two 2-bed houses
- One 3-bed house
- Two 2-bed bungalows
- Two 1-bed maisonettes
Low environmental impact
The homes were built using the Beattie Passivhaus system - an advanced, low-energy construction standard. With a simple timber framework and high-performance insulation, this system uses considerably less carbon dioxide than standard masonry construction. The windows are triple glazed and, in combination with the insulated superstructure, make the homes completely draught free.
Excellent thermal efficiency and airtightness mean these homes lose significantly less heat than traditionally constructed homes, lowering the heat demand and energy bills. The EPC certificates estimated that the houses and bungalows would have negative primary energy use, ranging from -9 kWh/m2 to -37kWh/m2!
Low running costs
Each super-insulated home has solar panels and an air source hot water and heating system, keeping energy bills low. There’s also the added benefits of improved air quality and a very quiet indoor environment. Vehicle charging points are also included to allow residents to charge electrical vehicles.
What this means for residents
The EPC certificates estimated that energy bills would be under £500 a year for a 3-bed house.
One new resident said:
“The financial benefits are immense. Our energy bills are down over 75% compared to what we paid last year. And the house heats itself; we’ve hardly put the heating on, it retains heat so well."
And another said:
“My energy costs are down, and I have money left over at the end of the month which I didn’t have before I moved here. I’m happy, and my family are happy that I’m living in such a lovely home.”
Residents moved into the new homes in 2018 and are reaping the benefits of significantly reduced energy bills.