Thursday 3 December 2020
UK council greenlights construction of 65 zero carbon social houses to support its net zero journey
Somerset West and Taunton Council has greenlighted the development of 65 zero carbon social houses to support its net zero journey.
The local authority said the construction represents the first council homes to be built in West Somerset in the last 30 years and will follow the London Energy Transformation Initiative (LETI) standard.
That means that buildings will be airtight, with insulation nearly twice the thickness of current standards.
Materials will be sourced locally while off-site construction methods will be employed, aiming to reduce carbon and energy use.
The council homes are expected to use renewable energy for hot water and central heating and will also be fitted with electric vehicle charge points.
Councillor Fran Smith, Executive Member for Housing, said: “We're delighted to be able to take the next steps on our journey to reaching a net zero carbon district by converting these dilapidated and unused sites into inclusive, affordable and energy efficient housing for our residents.
“We've committed to delivering 1,000 new homes over next 30 years, of which at least 115 of these, including those proposed here, will exceed current building standards as ‘exemplar zero carbon homes’".
The construction of the homes is expected to begin in summer 2021 and spring 2022.
