Redditch development ranked one of the top 50 in the UK
An £8 million timber housing development in Redditch which features two ‘eco homes’ based on a design by a schoolgirl has been named as one of the best in the UK. Eco2Solar are delighted to have installed the solar panels on all relevant dwellings; including the eco homes.
The flagship development in Church Hill, built by Redditch Co-operative Homes, has been ranked amongst the country’s top 50 affordable housing developments 2014.
Built on the site of the former Marlfield Farm Primary School, the 79-home scheme features two innovative eco homes based on a design by schoolgirl Jennifer Brook.
Jennifer was just 10-years-old when she dreamt up an idea for an environmentally-friendly home, as part of a competition run by the Matrix Housing Partnership.
The development, completed in December last year and partially funded by the Homes and Communities Agency, includes 58 houses and 21 apartments for affordable rent and shared ownership.
It also has allotment space for families to grow their own fruit and vegetables and is being run as a co-operative, which means families manage the estate themselves.
Carl Taylor, Director of Redditch Co-operative Homes, said: “It’s fantastic news for us as an organisation and Redditch that this development has been recognised in this way.
“We are very proud of the homes that we have built in the town in partnership with the Accord Group and Mansell, which are incredibly low carbon and sustainable.
“Families supported our submission for this award too, saying how much they liked their homes and how warm they have been during the winter. It’s great to know that they are happy in their new homes.”
Redditch Co-operative Homes’ development is one of just three housing schemes in the Midlands to be named in the top 50 list. The awards were sponsored by H + H and Winckworth Sherwood and were endorsed by the Homes and Communities Agency.
The organisation works with five co-operatives made up on nearly 300 homes in Redditch and is part of the Accord Group. As part of the Matrix Housing Partnership, the Accord Group plans to build 1,500 new homes in the Midlands by next year, including nearly 180 homes in Redditch.