New £2.45 million 'eco-homes'

Twenty two new environmentally-friendly homes powered by ‘Green Energy’ that will cut electricity bills will be built in Hereford as part of a £2.45 million project.

The Barton Yard development, near Sainsbury’s, will be specially designed and use advanced technology to generate heat – making bills a thing of the past.

The complex includes a mixture of homes ranging from two bedroom flats and two, three and four bedroom homes.
Herefordshire Council, in partnership with South Shropshire Housing Association, is funding the development.

Sixteen of the homes will be available to rent and the remaining six can be purchased on a shared ownership scheme. The development is expected to be completed and occupied by next summer (2006).

To be considered for the new homes, people must be registered with Home Point.

An open day presentation on the new development will be held in the New Year. Details have to be confirmed.

All the properties will meet Eco-Homes high rating including solar power heating which means the buildings will not need central heating.

Other features will include additional wall, roof and window insulation and a heat recovery and ventilation system to remove moisture from the kitchen and bathroom.

Cllr Olwyn Barnett, Cabinet Member (Strategic Housing), said: “The Barton Yard development will provide essential housing for a number of people on the housing register.

 “This is an exciting project both in terms of providing new homes and a new beginning for lots of people but also in terms of the design of the building.

“Barton Yard will benefit from a number of environmental features. In particular the capacity for solar power heating and insulation will mean greatly reduced heating bills.

“While this project is a step in the right direction, we realise there is still a long way to go to tackle Herefordshire’s housing problem. We need to continue driving forward with our partners to address what is a real issue for many people.”