The most environmentally-friendly council-built housing in London is set to be unveiled at an open day in Croydon last summer.
Dozens of new homes that set new standards in domestic green technology are ready for their first tenants. Many were built in New Addington and Fieldway on ‘brown-field’ sites that were dilapidated and unloved. They included former garage blocks that were unused, vandalised and had become an eyesore. Tenants are set to move into the homes that were built as part of the second phase of the council’s house-building programme, with another 64 homes that set new environmental standards about to be occupied.
In Thorpe Close, New Addington, seven three-bedroom houses have been built on the site of a disused and abandoned block of garages that had become an unsightly mess for the people who lived nearby. All of the homes were built to level five standard of the Government’s code for sustainable homes and are fitted with a range of devices like solar panels and low-energy heating systems that mean tenants do not use many resources and the buildings have a low carbon footprint.
The green technology and insulation included in the homes is so advanced that tenants could potentially have no energy bills if used correctly.
They will be officially opened by Gavin Barwell, the MP for Croydon Central, who said:
“Many of the people who contact me asking for help are living in overcrowded or otherwise unsatisfactory accommodation so it is great to see that, unlike many other councils, Croydon Council is getting on with doing something about by building new council homes – and homes that have the lowest possible impact on the environment to boot.” “I hope these properties provide happy and secure homes for five local families here in New Addington”".
The homes’ completion comes two years after the first phase of new council homes in Sumner Gardens was opened. They won a national architectural award and also have a range of environmental fittings that help reduce their carbon footprint and drastically reduce energy use. Councillor Dudley Mead, Croydon Council’s cabinet member for housing, said:
“There is a recognised shortage of housing in every London borough but only Croydon is delivering a house-building programme. “The new homes that we have just delivered will provide accommodation for families on our waiting list, many of whom will be living in overcrowded conditions.” “We know we’re the first council in London to build level five homes and I suspect we’re the first in the country.”
