Barratt has won a competition to build a carbon-neutral development of 188 homes at Hanham Hall near Bristol.
The competition was held by English Partnerships and is the first of a series of contests, known as the Carbon Challenge, to build ‘eco villages’ ahead of the government’s deadline for all new housing to be carbon neutral from 2016.
Barratt chief executive Mark Clare said, ‘This is a vital project for us. Delivering zero carbon housing for 2016 is a major challenge.’
Barratt aims to submit a planning application this spring and to complete by the development by 2010.
The development will feature a combined heat and power plant that runs on biomass fuel for its heating and electricity needs. Around 50% of the housing will be affordable, while the rest will be sold at local market prices.
Wigan and Doncaster to be next
English Partnerships announced two further Carbon Challenge sites this week: Bickershaw, near Wigan, and Brodsworth, near Doncaster. Further sites are to be announced in the New Year.
It has also announced shortlisted bidders for its second Carbon Challenge site, at Peterborough, known as South Bank Phase 1.
These are: One Peterborough, a consortium of Crest Nicholson and Bioregional; Gladedale Group; Carbon Challenge Consortium, comprising Galliford Try and Cross Key Homes; Barratt; P Pod, featuring Morris Homes and Gentoo; and a joint bid from Gleeson Homes and Stuart Milne Group.
