A development offering new houses at affordable rents has been officially opened in Thornbury.
The four new houses, at North East Road, have been developed by Solon Housing, which part funded the scheme along with the Homes & Communities Agency and South Gloucestershire Council which provided the land for free.
Cllr Matthew Riddle, the council’s executive member for community care and housing, said: “These affordable, quality and eco-friendly family homes are a much-needed and welcome addition to the Thornbury area.
“Low carbon footprints have been achieved through a number of means, particularly by fitting solar panels, which will provide free hot water for around two thirds of the year and high efficiency boilers will produce hot water for the remainder of the time.”
The new houses, which have been built on under-used council-owned garage site with a history of fly-tipping please, all achieve high sustainability standards. They have been designed and constructed to achieve the Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3. The main objectives of the Code are to reduce greenhouse gases and household water consumption.
To achieve the reduction in green house gases, the houses have been fitted with solar panels that will provide free hot water for two thirds of the year. Reductions in greenhouse gases will also be achieved with high efficiency boilers. Installation of dual flush toilets and the introduction of flow restrictors on taps and showers will reduce water consumption.
Paul Ville, Solon Housing chief executive, said: “Solon is delighted to have had the opportunity to provide these homes through a very positive partnership with South Gloucestershire Council and building contractors E.G. Carter.”
Source: South Gloucestershire Council
