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Description
ZED PODS was chosen by Linc Cymru Housing Association based on our superior energy performance measures to help them design and build an ultra-low carbon and low energy consumption housing scheme, which was funded by the Welsh Government. These 12 low-carbon, high-quality, affordable homes were built on an underutilised car park at Hill Street for people previously living in temporary accommodation (TA) in Newport. It is one of the highest levels of energy performance in social housing in the UK, built in line with the Welsh Government Decarbonisation Programme.
Overview
- Client: Linc Cymru Housing Association and Newport City Council
- Location: Hill Street House, Newport, NP20 1LZ
- Building Solution: Permanent​
- Scope of works: Full Turnkey Service (RIBA Stage 0 – 7)
Description
ZED PODS was chosen by Linc Cymru based on our superior energy performance measures to help them design & build an ultra-low carbon and low energy consumption housing scheme, which was funded by the Welsh Government. These 12 low-carbon, high-quality, affordable homes were built on an underutilised car park at Hill Street for people previously living in temporary accommodation (TA) in Newport. It is one of the highest levels of energy performance in social housing in the UK, built in line with the Welsh Government Decarbonisation Programme. The development, designed by our in-house architects, consists of a two-storey terraced row of 12 individually contained dwellings designed for single-tenant occupation.
Built under Wales Government’s Permitted Development with retrospective planning to expedite new build homes during the pandemic and was the first scheme which was completed unlocking the drawdown of the Gov funding. The development of ultra-low carbon housing, the first of its kind for the region, celebrates the site’s heritage while providing top-quality accommodation, akin to a modern apartment, available for social rent.
Our innovations followed seven WFGA (Well-being of Future Generation Wales Act 2015) goals with focus on CO2, Capital, and Energy. The development met all the ‘MUST’ building development principle (Minimize, Use, Substitute, and Treat). HRH Prince William visited the scheme as part of Homewards Initiative aimed at ending homelessness. The scheme, which was showcased by the BBC One Show, is unique due to:
- Re-used surplus space on a council-owned car park to build high-quality homes.
- Using Offsite MMC methods – 50% quicker than traditional built process.
- No demolition of existing buildings - minimal negative sustainability impact
- Considerable enhancements to biodiversity and green space
- Sustainable features to promote low-carbon living and lifestyle.
Our building system offers a standardised high-performance “fabric first” approach to reduce operational energy consumption. Sustainability is at the heart of the scheme with super insulation, triple glazing, low energy heating systems, airtight construction and renewable technologies are used to achieved performance that is in line with the Welsh Building Regulations Part L. We designed the units from a master planning perspective which enhanced the passive attributes of low energy design, daylighting, solar gain to complement our superior energy-efficiency and material choice. The result was provided with the best performance, safety and reduced thermal bridging, all within our playbook of robust ‘Sustainable Policies’ material choices and renewables platform. The specifications of these homes exceed current Building and Fire Regulations.
As result, this project:
- Achieved higher than A-rated EPCs & negative Dwelling Emission Rates (DERs), SAP A-ratings of over 92+.
- Super-insulated, airtightness construction with 0.87 to 0.98 m3/h/m2 air changes per hour @ 50 PA.
- Sound test results exceed national average.
- Low energy Heat Recovery Unit (Heat Recovery 93%).
- Circa 1.1 kW peak grid connected roof-mounted solar PV system achieving A-rated EPCs.
- Reduced wet trades for lesser water consumption and high carbon materials.
- Est. 297 tonnes of carbon emissions over 30 years will be saved compared to a Part-L Complaint new build.
- Est. 107 kilolitre of water saved per year over Baseline (Wales Part-G Compliance of 110L/person/day).
- Pre-owned furniture and donated cookeries were given to residents, saving furniture from land waste.
“Hill Street House” as one of the exemplar projects in Newport has been visited by HRH Prince William in late June 2023 for launch his “Homewards” program.
Sian Diaz, Development Director, Linc Cymru: “The Hill Street project has seen us deliver on our purpose of creating the right environment for people to flourish. Not only does the scheme mean a reduction in temporary accommodation costs for the Council, but it also sees 12 people provided with a safe, secure, comfortable place to live.”