The first residents, who have been waiting on the council’s housing register, are ready to move into nine brand-new council homes in Charminster, Bournemouth.
The modern buildings at Luckham Road have been constructed by the council’s construction team to the ‘Passivhaus’ standard and use about 90 per cent less energy than standard UK buildings.
The mix of family and one bed homes make use of ground source heat pumps (GSHPs) and pipes buried in the garden to extract heat from the earth. This energy is then used to warm radiators and generate hot water in the properties.
The use of ‘Passivhaus’ technology is in line with the council’s responsibility to reduce fuel poverty and recognise the climate and ecological emergency.
The new development consists of 3 x 3 bedroom houses, 2 x 2 bedroom flats and 4 x 1 bedroom flats with 13 car park spaces.
The development replaces older council housing on the same site which was no longer fit for purpose and required significant ongoing maintenance.
Councillor Karen Rampton, BCP Council Portfolio Holder for People and Homes, said: “This is a fantastic development that reiterates the Council’s commitment to build more energy efficient and sustainable homes for our residents.
“It will also help us reach our twin targets of reducing the council’s own carbon footprint to net zero by 2030 and the footprint for the whole BCP area by 2050. We are delighted to see people collect keys to these exciting properties and start enjoying their beautiful and modern new homes.”
