As part of its commitment to achieve high quality, low carbon housing across Cambridge, Cambridge Investment Partnership has submitted planning for three pilot ‘Passivhaus’ council homes at its Borrowdale development.
Passivhaus is the leading low energy, high comfort standard for buildings, demonstrated as the foremost method of reducing energy use and carbon emissions from buildings in the UK. Cambridge Investment Partnership will be delivering the first council homes in the city to attain the internationally renowned Passivhaus standard.
The Borrowdale development follows on from planning being successfully granted at 71-73 Fen Road, where 12 new low carbon council homes will be built for local families. Both these schemes form part of a pilot project, enabling CIP to learn about Passivhaus on smaller developments before scaling up its low carbon housing.
Cllr Mike Todd Jones, Executive Councillor for Housing at Cambridge City Council and CIP board member commented: “We are committed to providing the highest environmental standards in the new homes we build and are proud that all our future developments will be gas free. These proposed pilot Passivhaus council homes are another step towards achieving these standards, providing residents with very low energy use and heating costs as well as addressing the housing shortage in Cambridge.”
The scheme at Borrowdale has been designed by experienced architects Pollard Thomas Edwards and will provide three, two-bedroom terraced Passivhaus council homes with back garden, cycle storage and parking. Seven parking spaces will be retained across the street to the south of the site. Trees at the site will also be retained wherever possible.
Tom Hill, Regional Director of Hill said: “These homes will be built with meticulous attention to detail and have many benefits for residents, including heating demand of up to 90% lower compared to existing buildings and 50% lower compared to new homes built to Building Regulations. The high quality construction and air tightness will also prevent draughts, cold spots, moulds and condensation, making them a much heathier home.”
The site currently comprises existing garages and car parking, bounded by neighbouring flat blocks and bark gardens. The site is a 10 minute cycle from Cambridge City Centre. CIP has also worked with Carter Jonas and Allen Pyke Associates to bring forward the scheme.
For further information please visit www.ip-cambridge.co.uk
More about CIP’s Passivhaus development 71-73 Fen Road, East Chesterton here.
