District council to build its first zero carbon homes

Somerset West and Taunton Council has given the green light to build its first zero carbon affordable homes in the district.

The local authority aims to build up to 50 zero carbon homes over a number of sites. They will be highly insulated and include onsite renewable heat and energy which will make them very economic for tenants to run.

The first of the zero carbon homes are intended to be complete by summer 2021 and the build will continue through to the end of 2022.

The zero carbon properties will also support the council’s ambition to build 1,000 new council homes over the next 30 years and will complement council new build schemes currently underway in Priorswood and Laxton Road, Taunton.

‘I’m proud that we are building our own stock of affordable properties in the district and I am delighted that this pilot project has been approved so we can produce more great homes that are truly affordable to those in housing need and require little energy to heat giving additional cost savings to the tenant,’ said executive member for housing, Cllr Fran Smith.

‘This approach adopted by the council is very ambitious reflecting our commitment to create new sustainable developments with a mix of modern, energy efficient homes.’

The Zero Carbon Affordable Homes pilot scheme will consider all aspects of carbon neutrality and energy use in the production, occupation and repair of the homes.

It is intended that the pilot will help the council establish a zero-carbon blueprint to support future schemes including those in the pipeline for West Somerset and rural settlements.

‘It is hoped that as part of the pilot scheme links can be strengthened with Bridgwater and Taunton College and universities to promote zero carbon building and support the council with data collection and analysis.

Cllr Pilkington, executive member for climate change said: ‘Somerset West and Taunton Council aims to enable and support everyone to work towards achieving carbon neutrality and climate resilience by 2030.

‘This decision is a mark of how important we all consider the issue to be and is integral to our long term aim of creating a more environmentally responsible council and a sustainable future.

‘The council’s intention is for a number houses to be used for limited periods of time as show houses to promote zero carbon living and raise awareness of lifestyle actions we can all take to tackle climate change.’

Photo Credit — Skeeze (Pixabay)