Warwickshire rural housing specialists showcase their commitment to zero carbon, supporting local communities and working in partnership

Rural housing specialists Warwickshire Rural Housing Association

Rural housing specialists Warwickshire Rural Housing Association, in collaboration with New Meaning Training, recently held a passive house event on their site in Bearley, to showcase their latest low-carbon, affordable homes.

Stratford-on-Avon District Council members and officers were joined by other developers and housing associations, including Futures Housing Group, Orbit and Two Rivers Housing, to learn more about the Beattie Passive system as an option for building affordable homes.

It was also an opportunity for Warwickshire Rural Housing Association (WRHA) and developers Harper Group to share how social enterprise education provider, New Meaning Training (NMT), is making a difference in this development.

The seven homes, which are the realisation of a 20-year dream for the village and will be prioritised for local people, are being built using the high-performance and low-carbon Beattie Passive system. Each super-insulated home will also have solar panels and air source hot water and heating systems. This not only supports Stratford-on-Avon’s ambitious zero carbon plans but will also mean much lower energy costs for the residents.

NMT director, David Lett, shared how their inspiring programmes support and train young people – who didn’t engage with the traditional school system – to learn a trade, get qualifications, earn an independent living and gain confidence in themselves. He also explained how they are involved in this development:

“Trainees and graduates from the New Meaning construction course are building the timber superstructure here in Bearley. It’s a great opportunity to put their new skills into practice.”

NMT director, David Lett

Councillor Ian Shenton, Portfolio Holder for Climate Change at Stratford-on-Avon District Council said:

“It was fantastic to learn that New Meaning has opened a new centre here in Stratford, where they will train more local young people in construction. To see a number of organisations working together to provide high-quality, energy-efficient affordable housing, whilst also teaching new skills, in a practical way, is a fantastic combination which I applaud and support wholeheartedly.”

Councillor Ian Shenton, Portfolio Holder for Climate Change at Stratford-on-Avon District Council

Sara Walton, Development Manager at Two Rivers Housing added:

“We really appreciate WRHA sharing their insights and experiences with us. Improving the energy efficiency of social housing is an important step in reducing the UK’s CO2 emissions and by sharing ideas, experiences and working together, housing associations will play a vital role in this.”  Sara Walton, Development Manager at Two Rivers Housing

WRHA’s vice-chair, Ann Lattimore added:

“I was blown away by our passive house development in Bearley. Not only is it being built to the highest energy efficiency standards, but the build is providing an amazing opportunity for young people, who have reached school leaving age without any qualifications, to get back on track.”

WRHA’s vice-chair, Ann Lattimore

You can find more information about these seven affordable homes at warwickshirerha.org.uk/bearley