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Welsh terraced houses to become eco homes |
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6 Jul 2009, 1:44 PM
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A row of traditional Welsh terraced houses are to be transformed into light, spacious, energy efficient homes. The houses are built on a hillside and the refurbishments will make the most of the superb views from Penrhiwceiber, Rhondda Cynon Taff. The designs may incorporate balconies and open plan extensions.
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The interior of the homes will be completely gutted, redesigned and reconfigured to make the maximum use of space and light. The Building Research Establishment (BRE) has advised on energy and sustainability issues to ensure they reach the Eco Home Excellent standard.
Margaret Minhinnick, director of Sustainability Wales, welcomed the pilot scheme. “Solid-wall terrace housing is one of the biggest challenges in Wales in terms of improving the energy efficiency of our dwellings – so this project, if successful, will show an exciting way forward,” she said. The remodelling of the interiors will also make these properties more attractive to the housing market and reduce the potential for derelict housing stock.
“However, it’s not clear if the developers are completely gutting each house or if they are preparing to reuse and refurbish items like the stone or bricks or wooden floorboards, which would save our diminishing landfills, resources and loads of energy.”
If successful, the pilot project, funded by the Heads of the Valleys regeneration programme on the six houses owned by Cynon Tâf Community Housing Group, will be rolled out across Wales.
Richard Roberts, director of Rio Architects, the Cardiff-based firm which is responsible for the design of the revamped homes, said: “Demolition of the existing buildings was not an option; neither was papering over the cracks. Instead, the primary drivers behind this pilot scheme are to significantly enhance the energy performance of the existing terrace properties, whilst improving the living standards of current and future inhabitants.
“Our design significantly reconfigures the interior of the houses, allowing the maximisation of daylight whilst harnessing the wonderful panoramic views of the Valley.”
The scheme is part of an ambitious multi-million pound programme to improve energy efficiency in homes across the Heads of the Valleys and develop Europe's first low carbon zone.
The HoV Low Carbon programme is designed to tackle child poverty and fuel poverty - both commitments in the One Wales programme – and will introduce energy reduction measures that have never been undertaken on this large scale in the UK before.
Leighton Andrews, Deputy Minister for Regeneration, said it was anticipated that the fifteen year initiative would ultimately attract tens of millions of pounds of investment.
It is designed to not only tackle fuel poverty but create a new industry base in the region linked to job creation, skills development and the development of local businesses in the sector.
Mr Andrews said he would be announcing details of the first round of investment and the first low carbon town in the New Year.
The Low Carbon programme will result in:
40,000 microgeneration units or their equivalent installed;
65,000 homes assessed for energy efficiency;
39,000 energy reduction measures implemented;
The largest concentration of microgeneration in the EU;
Reduced domestic energy bills of at least £1.7m;
Reduced emissions of at least 139,200 tonnes CO² a year.
The intention is to install sustainable energy measures into the 40,000 socially owned homes in the region – reducing energy consumption for some of the least able to pay.
The Deputy Minister said he would also be working with colleagues in the Department for the Environment, Sustainability and Housing to explore opportunities for making microgeneration an affordable option for all households in the region.
Environment, Sustainability & Housing Minister Jane Davidson said:
"The Welsh Assembly Government is committed to tackling both fuel poverty and climate change and Welsh homes are on the frontline of both. This programme will give the Heads of the Valleys the opportunity to make an impact on both.
Energy efficient, greener homes means less money spent on heating and a reduction in the area’s carbon footprint. This agenda also provides us with significant economic opportunities. This area was at the heart of the industrial revolution that made the modern world and still bares the scars of this period. It now has the opportunity to be at the centre of the green revolution of the 21st Century, leading Wales and showing the world what it can do to make a difference".
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