Council Launches its First Sustainable Future Homes Standard Properties
Telford & Wrekin Council has announced that it has launched its first ever Future Homes standard properties. How will this help to support its residents with lower fuel bills?
The development has been designed specifically to contribute towards Telford & Wrekin Council’s commitment to tackling climate change and providing tenants with support during the current cost of living crisis.
It has been said by the council that solar panels and EV charging points at Nuplace’s Southwater Way development are saving an average 3-bedroom household as much as £900 annually in energy bills (based on projected energy prices for 2022/23).
More accessible housing is needed to create better local communities
Located at ‘Wild Walk’ in Donnington, the properties form part of a much wider development of 329 new homes.
These homes are being brought forward by a partnership comprising of Telford & Wrekin Council, Nuplace, Lovell Partnerships Ltd, and Wrekin Housing Group.
The mixed tenure site includes properties for open market sale, private and affordable rent, Rent to Buy, and dementia care and supported living units.
Details have launched this week for Nuplace’s 66 new homes, with the first phase of private rent properties being released to the market. The properties range from 1 to 4-bedroom houses, apartments and bungalows.
Of the 66 homes being developed, 16 of these are being built to accessible and adaptable standards and are available for people who are over the age of 55, or with a demonstrable need.
Councillor Richard Overton (Lab), Telford & Wrekin Council’s Cabinet Member for Homes and Enforcement expressed that housing is an important piece of the puzzle when it comes to creating better local communities.
He said: “Housing is one of our key priorities in Telford and Wrekin as we set to protect, care and invest to create a better borough for all of our residents.”
This new development at Wild Walk is a key part of this and it’s great to see the range of properties available both from Nuplace and also our partners.
The Councillor then explained that the development is helping to provide secure homes to those who need it the most: “With over 1,200 tenants now living in Nuplace properties right across the borough, we know they are providing fantastic long-term homes for our residents.
“We’re delighted that Nuplace is continuing offering more specialist and adaptable homes for those who need them and hope this will enable and encourage people to continue living independently for longer in their own homes.”
The council is implementing new sustainable technologies
Lovell Partnerships Ltd has designed the houses to focus on enabling occupants to live independently and improve confidence in the home. These properties come in different styles, but most importantly are easy for residents to access and manage.
In addition to low carbon standards being incorporated in the propertied at ‘Wild Walk’, the council has gone one step further in its commitment to tackling climate change. It has introduced its first Future Homes standard properties.
These homes will produce 75-80 per cent less carbon emissions than homes built under the current Building Regulations.
The properties will feature new technology when it comes to heating, hot water systems and reducing heat waste.
Councillor Carolyn Healy (Lab) Cabinet Member for Climate Action, Green Spaces, Heritage and Leisure explained that making the transition to becoming more sustainable is a key focus for the council.
She said: “In Telford and Wrekin there is a lot going on to support the fight against climate change and as a council we are tackling climate change right across our different services.”
Future Homes Standard properties will be mandatory by 2025 and Nuplace have ensured that sustainable housing is right at the top of the agenda for this latest development.
A total of 30 Nuplace properties at ‘Wild Walk’ are now available for residents to reserve. The remaining 36 properties are set to launch as a part of Phase 2 in Spring 2024.
Developments like this are crucial to providing accessible and sustainable homes for the people who need it the most.
