16 February 2010
Two Castles starts work on a sustainable development of affordable homes
Two Castles Housing Association is due to start work on a new site of affordable, eco friendly homes at Low Meadow, Brookside, in Carlisle this month.
Low Meadow, a development of 29 properties, will include a mixture of two, three and four bedroom houses. These homes will be available to rent from March 2011 and will all meet the Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3 - the national standard for the sustainable design and construction of new homes.
Two Castles Housing Association is working in partnership with Carlisle City Council on the development and has received a £1,855,000 grant from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), covering 40 per cent of the scheme costs. Cubby Construction Ltd will construct the houses, designed by a team including HMH Architects and quantity surveyors Elliott Associates.
Rob Brittain, property services director of Two Castles Housing Association, said: “There is a great demand in Carlisle for high quality affordable homes to rent and we are very pleased indeed to be able to go some way towards meeting that need with this fantastic development.
“The provision of affordable homes is a high priority for Two Castles and we were delighted to receive funding from the HCA towards this invaluable scheme.”
The 29 homes will include a number of eco-friendly features, including energy efficient solar panels to provide hot water. There will also be compost and recycling bins, water butts to recycle rain water and cycle storage.
Homes will also be built to the Lifetime Homes Standard, meeting specific design criteria to support the changing needs of individuals and families at different stages of life. Features will include wider hallways which are able to accommodate wheelchair use, bathrooms suitable for mobility aids and appropriate space for the installation of a stair lift.
Rob added: “Designed to meet excellent environmental standards, the homes will also have high levels of insulation and efficient heating methods, making them more cost effective for residents to run.”
“We will be working closely with Carlisle City Council to identify people who are in the greatest housing need to ensure they are given priority for the properties once they are completed.”
Carlisle City Cllr Olwyn Luckley, portfolio holder for Health and Community Development, said: “This exciting new development will provide much needed regeneration to the area and will help meet local social housing demand. The partnership approach has moved the scheme forward for the benefit of the local community and local residents.”
Deborah McLaughlin, North West regional director of the HCA, said: “Low Meadow is a great example of how the HCA invests in innovative and effective schemes bringing new, environmentally friendly homes to the area at a price that people can afford.”
