The United Kingdom’s Hanham Hall Development is the largest eco-village aspiration to date. Designed by HTA and funded by Barratt Developments and the Homes & Communities Agency, there are a rumored 188-195 zero carbon homes in the overall housing scheme. The development will include an onsite biomass CHP plant, strategically placed reed beds, shops for farmers to sell their goods, bicycle storage throughout, and a carefully crafted drainage system. Hanham Hall is the first major eco city underway that is part of the government’s Carbon Challenge Programme. The government has set a goal for all new builds to be zero carbon by 2016. It looks as though they are six years ahead of the curve.
Built on the site of a former hospital, which is being transformed into a new community center, each house in the Hanham Development will be free of VOCs, to help ensure a healthy, eco-friendly lifestyle for residents. SIPS panels will be used as the main structural element throughout the development, with the addition of other energy efficient materials. Recycling of materials onsite will ensure a zero carbon footprint. Construction is currently underway, and the first homes are slated for completion in 2010.
Unfortunately the British government seems to have dumped its green building regulations plan.
Did think it was big calls from the government for all new builds to be zero carbon by 2016.
Devastating blow for the building industry.
Today (during the recession) we had time to re educate thousands in the building sector with a view to a cleaner, leaner Britain, it would have created so many jobs in the green building industry not only for the existing but the youngsters of Britain. I guess in the big picture there is no money left for training after bail outs. Its not the general public who are greedy, they’re just keen to get back to work.
They need a direction and that might have just been it.