Text Size A|A|A

Latest News

Residents settle in to their eco-friendly homes
06 January 2012

Residents settle in to their eco-friendly homes

Railway Housing Association, working in partnership with its developing partner leading North East housebuilder Yuill Homes, has created 14 new homes on the former Hillingdon pub site in Spennymoor.

The ten two-bedroom apartments and four two-bedroom bungalows have all been let to people in housing need aged 55 and over. Photovoltaic roof tiles have been installed on the roof of the apartment block, as well as on the bungalows.

This method of renewable energy, which will provide electricity to the communal areas and help to heat the water in the homes, is the fastest growing power generation technology in the world. The tiles capture the sun’s energy and convert daylight into electricity.

As well as the photovoltaic tiles, the properties all have water butts and underground tanks that capture rainwater and effectively recycle it so it can be used in washing machines and to flush toilets.

Among the first residents to move in were William and Lilian Day. The couple, aged 62 and 60 respectively, have moved into a ground-floor apartment.

Mr Day said: “We needed an apartment that was on one level because the terraced home we had in Spennymoor has stairs and as Lilian has had problems with her heart and suffers with arthritis, it was causing her problems.

“When we saw the apartment we fell in love with it instantly. It’s surprising just how big and spacious it is and we know we have definitely made the right move.

“It’s also great that by living here we are doing our bit for the environment, and saving money, by effectively recycling our electricity and water.”

John and Carole Proud, who live in the apartment above Mr and Mrs Day, are also setting in well.

Mr Proud said: “The apartments are very impressive and we couldn’t be happier with our new home. It’s fantastic to be living in such an environmentally friendly development.”

Anne Rowlands, Chief Executive of Railway Housing Association, said: “This development is our most energy efficient and sustainable to date and we are delighted with the feedback we have received from the residents.

“In the current climate providing new homes is difficult but working with our partners, we are pleased to have delivered this development on time and on budget.

“Spennymoor is a town in need of more housing that is affordable, so it is satisfying that we have made our own contribution, at the same time as helping the physical environment by transforming a derelict rundown pub site.”

Alexandra Ross, Partnership Manager at Yuill Homes, said: “Yuill Homes has a great deal of experience in effective partnership working. We are delighted to have worked with Railway Housing Association to deliver this sustainable development in Spennymoor, which will provide high quality affordable homes for older people.”

The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) – England’s national housing and regeneration agency – provided funding of £854,000 towards the Spennymoor scheme.

Bill Carr, Area Manager for the Homes and Communities Agency said: “It is great that our investment of £845,000 has made such a difference to local people with Railway Housing Association offering an excellent choice for older people by providing both flats and bungalows.

“We are particularly pleased to be providing support for the provision of quality rented homes in County Durham at a time when the demand has never been greater. The high green standard of homes will also help reduce energy bills for the tenants, which will be increasingly important as energy prices rise.”

Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for housing, Cllr Clive Robson, said: “As the local housing authority it continues to be essential that we work with partners to identify needs and secure Government grant to help schemes like this move forward.

“I am delighted that Railway Housing Association has successfully completed this eco friendly development which will provide much needed purpose built accommodation for older people in Spennymoor.”

As part of the new development, the pub was demolished and the land cleared. A new road was then constructed from the main road running down the site to serve two car parking spaces at the front and a rear car park with 12 more spaces. The bungalows, which include one that has been adapted for people with disabilities, all have front and private back gardens.

The three-storey apartment block includes a lift and communal areas such as a garden, lounge, bike store and motorised wheel chair charging and storage facilities.

All the homes have recycling bins and are built to the Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH) Level 3 standard, which means they have 25% less carbon emissions.