Energy efficient homes planned for Chelmsford Garden Community

A report has been published that sets out how 66 proposed homes in part of Chelmsford's Garden Community could be built as highly energy efficient.

Lib Dem-led Chelmsford City Council, in partnership with Countryside Properties and Homes England, have published the report, which assesses the practical and financial implications of making an already-proposed housing development zero carbon ready.

The forward-thinking proposal means steps will be taken during the build process to ensure the homes comply with Government's emerging Future Homes Standard (FHS). FHS is designed to ensure that all new dwellings will be net zero carbon ready by 2025.

Councillor Stephen Robinson, Leader of Chelmsford City Council, describes how the report could help all homes to reduce their environmental impact:

"We must do everything we can to reduce our impact on the environment and cut our energy costs. So we all need to dramatically reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, and transport and buildings produce nearly two thirds of all emissions. The City Council commissioned this report to show how, with fairly minor adjustments, houses and flats can dramatically reduce their energy use.

"The findings of this report will help position Chelmsford as an early adopter of building net zero ready homes so we are ready for whatever the new regulations will be. The trial in Beaulieu will lead the way for ensuring future building projects within our Local Plan keep highly energy efficient homes at the forefront."

High energy efficiency

A net zero carbon ready home is built with high energy efficiency in mind. For the proposed houses in Beaulieu, this would mean using methods such as high-performance insulation, triple glazing, air source heat pumps and solar panels. The end goal is to move away from installing gas boilers that are traditionally used to heat houses and instead utilise other technologies.

A decision on the detailed planning application for the area that will be named 'Zone T' is expected soon, with construction starting in 2023. The 66 homes will comprise of houses and apartments. Zone T is located in the heart of the site adjacent to a site for a new primary school, which is also set to be zero carbon ready.

Beaulieu is one of the first new neighbourhoods of Chelmsford Garden Community, alongside the Channels development. Chelmsford Garden Community is part of the City Council's Local Plan and will create a community of around 10,000 new homes and include new employment opportunities in north-east Chelmsford.