Nineteen new ‘carbon zero’ family homes have been completed in Northrepps after an 18-month project led by Broadland Housing Association.
Key Handover Ceremony
At a ceremony at the site on Broadgate Close, Michael Newey, Chief Executive, and Cllr Wendy Fredericks, Deputy Leader of North Norfolk District Council, handed over the keys to the first tenants, Claire and Robert.
Energy-Efficient Features
These new homes are designed to be highly energy-efficient, featuring insulated timber frames, triple-glazed windows, air source heat pumps, and mechanical ventilation systems with heat recovery. Solar panels on the roofs are expected to generate enough electricity to cover the average annual use of each home.
Mixed Tenure Development
This is the first time the association has built net operational carbon homes. Eight of the homes are for affordable rent, two for shared ownership, and nine are being sold on the open market by Broadland Housing’s subsidiary, Broadland St Benedicts, to help fund the affordable homes.
Mr Newey said:
This kind of mixed tenure development, with a blend of affordable homes and open-market homes, is increasingly the way forward, not just because it makes such schemes financially viable, but also because it encourages a better integration within the community.
We also know there is lots of housing need across the whole of Norfolk. We know there is hidden homelessness as well as visible homelessness, and we are completely committed to playing our part in tackling that problem in an ongoing way.
Michael Newey, Chief Executive
Importance of Affordable Housing
Cllr Wendy Fredericks added:
It’s great to see houses being built in North Norfolk, especially affordable homes built for local people. This development is known as an Exception Housing Site, which means it is on land that is not usually permitted for development unless there is a local need for affordable housing.
We would love to see more of these built in North Norfolk. If you have land that could support a small development like this, our housing strategy team love to hear from you.
Cllr Wendy Fredericks, North Norfolk District Council
The 19 new homes were designed by architects Ingleton Wood and built by Norwich-based contractor Smith of Honingham.
New Tenants
Supermarket workers, Claire and Robert, along with their two children aged ten and six, were the first to move into the new development. The family had been living in a cramped two-bedroom home, forcing their son and daughter to share a bedroom, which was challenging as their ten-year-old son is autistic.
Claire said:
We were getting to the stage where it was becoming impossible to squeeze into our old home. Boys and girls of that age shouldn’t have to share a bedroom, and our son needs a quiet space to be calm because of his autism.
The fact that it is so energy efficient means we don’t have to worry about big energy bills, and we know we can stay warm in the winter without worrying about whether we can afford to heat our home.
This area is our home, but it’s now so difficult to find suitable accommodation which is affordable, even though we both work. We now have a lovely family home where we can bring up our family in security.
Claire, New Tenant
This project meets rural housing needs and shows Broadland Housing’s commitment to sustainable living and community.