A group of eco-friendly homes in Swindon have earned developer Swindon Commercial Services two awards. The company was presented with two APSE Service Awards by TV personality Carol Smilie during a ceremony in Glasgow. The first prize was the Best Housing And Regeneration Initiative Award for the 13 homes at Malmesbury Gardens, the former Lyndhurst Crescent depot in Park North .

According to Government figures, at the time they were built only 132 zero carbon homes had been built in the whole country and the aim was to reduce tenants’ energy costs.

The company was also awarded a finalist certificate for its renewable energy work on public buildings in Swindon in the category of Best Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Initiative.

The homes in Malmesbury Gardens were finally built to Code For Sustainable Homes Level 5.

The head of construction, Julian Sadler, said: “Swindon Commercial Services has delivered many projects in south west England but we are especially proud of this innovative scheme.

“The houses have been designed to provide flexible living. The homes can be adapted to grow from the basic two or three-bedroom house to provide three, four or even five bedrooms. This enables the houses to respond to the changing requirements of the family. “ Coun David Renard , who was cabinet member for housing at the time the development was commissioned, said: “The homes in Malmesbury Gardens are fantastic. At the time we commissioned them, we were looking to promote sustainable buildings and ones with high energy efficiency. “I’m delighted they have been awarded an APSE award. It shows Swindon can be a leader in all areas including building new energy-efficient homes.”

The finalist certificate for Best Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Initiative was awarded to the company for an ambitious project which aimed to provide renewable energy to public buildings and to save the council money.

In just nine weeks SCS promoted the idea, gained council support, acquired all cross-party cabinet approval and funding; dealt with all planning questions; ordered and installed and registered four of the five schemes.