Green light for Greencore’s “better than net zero” homes

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A housebuilder has obtained planning permission for 42 new homes in Oxfordshire that it claims offer “better than net zero” sustainability.

The proposed Greencore Homes development in Milton Heights, near Didcot, has been designed by architects HTA Design, and is described as a landscape-led scheme. It incorporates a mix of 27 open market homes, and 15 that are said to be “affordable”.

Greencore’s homes are built using an innovative closed timber frame panel that is insulated with natural materials. Unlike traditional brick houses, the company says the structure of each home locks up more carbon than it emits.

Jon Di-Stefano, chief executive of Greencore Homes, said: “The UK needs to build a lot more new homes but it also needs those homes to support and protect our climate as much as possible. New homes should be energy-efficient, reduce carbon used in construction and yet still deliver high quality, well designed places to live.

“Securing our planning approval for Milton Heights enables us to continue delivering for local communities on this national ambition.

“In the middle of a climate and housing crisis, our homes demonstrate that it is possible to provide places that are affordable, beautiful and climate positive. The development at Milton Heights is another step forward in our journey to building 10,000 homes by 2035.”

Designed and built to Passivhaus standards, the homes are highly insulated to ensure a low energy demand. This is coupled with excellent ventilation for improved air quality, comfort and wellbeing. This low energy demand and the use of renewable energy sources is said to allow all new Greencore homes to be net zero carbon in operation.

Greencore Homes manufactures the timber panels at its Bicester factory and these are taken to site where the superstructure can be constructed in a few days. This enables fast and efficient building on site, minimising noise, disruption and carbon emissions during the construction process.

Simon Topliss, partner at HTA Design, said: “This is a significant milestone in the delivery of a new climate positive neighbourhood that’s putting connection and community at the centre of its regenerative development.

“Our design for Milton Heights puts the existing landscape and ecology first, to create a site framed by generous open spaces and new wooded connections. Through this, our proposal welcomes the surrounding community in, all while supporting a biodiverse and climate resilient future.”

Image credit: HTA Design

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