Low Carbon Housbuilding in Dorset - Regensw
Low Carbon House Building in Dorset A Developer’s Perspective
• Dorchester based house builder/developer • Builds almost all projects to Code 4 or higher • Builds throughout the UK with an emphasis on the South West • Delivering approximately 120 homes a year
About ZeroC
• • • • •
78 one to five bed homes Heated by 3 district biomass heating plants Rainwater harvesting to all private homes Super insulated advanced timber frame Code 4
Olympic Sailing Village
Olympic sailing Village
Olympic Sailing Village
Olympic sailing village
• • • • •
Heated by gas Photovoltaic panels on roofs Solar thermal water heating Rainwater harvesting Traditional construction with added insulation
Poundbury houses
Poundbury Houses
• Individual biomass boilers • Rainwater harvesting • Advanced timber frame
Arts & Crafts houses Poundbury
Arts & Crafts houses Poundbury
Arts & Crafts houses Poundbury
• Costs more to build although difference is falling as build regulations tighten • Code 4 typically £5K on a 3 bed house • Code 5 typically £10K on a 3 bed house • Code 6 typically £25K on a 3 bed house
• Can deter some buyers who are nervous of the technologies • Can lead to some post occupation challenges • Reliability of equipment/availability of spares • Operating costs of equipment
• When it comes down to it cost is everything
Challenges of low carbon homes
• Glove factory Yeovil • • • •
Code 4 to Code 6 homes Excellent product with very low running costs Buyers showing NO INTEREST in low carbon attributes Buyers are nervous of the technology
• Homes are proving to be very slow to sell and are not commanding any kind of premium
A cautionary tale
The Glove Factory
The Glove Factory
• Appeal to certain market segments • Retirees • The genuine ‘greens’ • The statement makers
• Can help to unlock planning and can offset some S106 payments • Can result in much lower bills for purchasers • For commercial buildings can increase rents and ability to let – commercial tenants are sensitive to their CSR
Advantages of building low carbon schemes
• Architecture and orientation need not be a barrier to sustainability but can limit options • Must start the process at the initial design stage • The SAP and code assessors are an integral part of the process • Don’t believe what the suppliers of technologies tell you. Talk to people who have already used the products • Carefully consider the implications on the build programme • If accessing grants – the bureaucracy is mind boggling (especially the RHI) • Consider fitting for but not with some technologies
Building the Homes
• Most technologies only benefit the purchaser but District Heat can also benefit the developer • Improving the fabric can help to reduce the requirements for technologies – but often costs the same!
Winning solutions in 2012
• Being a low carbon developer has helped ZeroC source good quality land from responsible landowners • • • • •
Homes and Community Agency Duchy of Cornwall Eco Architects Local authorities with low carbon policies Major estate owners
• ZeroC is rarely competitive buying land from landowners with no long term agenda
Buying land for low carbon homes
• I hope to be there first !!!!!
Opportunities in Dorset
• Dorchester based house builder/developer • Builds almost all projects to Code 4 or higher • Builds throughout the UK with an emphasis on the South West • Delivering approximately 120 homes a year
About ZeroC
• • • • •
78 one to five bed homes Heated by 3 district biomass heating plants Rainwater harvesting to all private homes Super insulated advanced timber frame Code 4
Olympic Sailing Village
Olympic sailing Village
Olympic Sailing Village
Olympic sailing village
• • • • •
Heated by gas Photovoltaic panels on roofs Solar thermal water heating Rainwater harvesting Traditional construction with added insulation
Poundbury houses
Poundbury Houses
• Individual biomass boilers • Rainwater harvesting • Advanced timber frame
Arts & Crafts houses Poundbury
Arts & Crafts houses Poundbury
Arts & Crafts houses Poundbury
• Costs more to build although difference is falling as build regulations tighten • Code 4 typically £5K on a 3 bed house • Code 5 typically £10K on a 3 bed house • Code 6 typically £25K on a 3 bed house
• Can deter some buyers who are nervous of the technologies • Can lead to some post occupation challenges • Reliability of equipment/availability of spares • Operating costs of equipment
• When it comes down to it cost is everything
Challenges of low carbon homes
• Glove factory Yeovil • • • •
Code 4 to Code 6 homes Excellent product with very low running costs Buyers showing NO INTEREST in low carbon attributes Buyers are nervous of the technology
• Homes are proving to be very slow to sell and are not commanding any kind of premium
A cautionary tale
The Glove Factory
The Glove Factory
• Appeal to certain market segments • Retirees • The genuine ‘greens’ • The statement makers
• Can help to unlock planning and can offset some S106 payments • Can result in much lower bills for purchasers • For commercial buildings can increase rents and ability to let – commercial tenants are sensitive to their CSR
Advantages of building low carbon schemes
• Architecture and orientation need not be a barrier to sustainability but can limit options • Must start the process at the initial design stage • The SAP and code assessors are an integral part of the process • Don’t believe what the suppliers of technologies tell you. Talk to people who have already used the products • Carefully consider the implications on the build programme • If accessing grants – the bureaucracy is mind boggling (especially the RHI) • Consider fitting for but not with some technologies
Building the Homes
• Most technologies only benefit the purchaser but District Heat can also benefit the developer • Improving the fabric can help to reduce the requirements for technologies – but often costs the same!
Winning solutions in 2012
• Being a low carbon developer has helped ZeroC source good quality land from responsible landowners • • • • •
Homes and Community Agency Duchy of Cornwall Eco Architects Local authorities with low carbon policies Major estate owners
• ZeroC is rarely competitive buying land from landowners with no long term agenda
Buying land for low carbon homes
• I hope to be there first !!!!!
Opportunities in Dorset
