3 DECEMBER 2009
PARK LIFE

Quantum member, Amber Valley Housing has helped rescue a site near Ironville for social housing with a ‘green' flavour.

Local developer, Griffiths Developments, started work on new homes at Codnor Park overlooking the canal near Ironville, but the project – Pottery Cottages - stalled after the foundations had been put in, as a result of the economic downturn.

The association partnered with the developer to redesign the houses internally on existing footings to exceed the Code for Sustainable Homes level 3, and at the same time, improve Lifetime Homes, Secured by Design and quality indicators.

A £345,000 grant from the HCA was secured, and work recommenced.

The development, of six three bedroom homes, which are due for completion in January, promotes high eco-credentials.

Ordinarily much of a site's waste would go to landfill, but not in this case as 100% of the waste generated is either recycled or burnt for bio-mass energy.

Innovative solar panels have been adopted, which do not use ethylene glycol (anti-freeze) to guard against freezing. Instead, they employ a new system where a sensor detects low temperatures and automatically drains the water out of the panel. When sun rises and warms the panels, water is pumped back round the system. This avoids using chemicals and is virtually maintenance free.

Amber Valley Housing also wanted its investment to benefit the local community by employing local labour, suppliers and sub-contractors.

Mark Pryor, an Amber Valley Housing tenant, who had not found work since leaving college, was offered a temporary job working on the site. He proved himself a valuable employee, has now been offered a full-time trainee position and hopes to serve an apprenticeship as a joiner.

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