gs8 and Octopus Energy are co-operating on Carpenter’s Yard, which will be the first development to feature a microgrid system
Octopus will offer a ‘zero bills’ tariff on the housing development, using green tech at all opportunities, as well as centralised battery storage, to minimise energy bills.
Octopus claim that they can guarantee no energy bills for 5-10 years.
The homes will be built with net zero in mind
Through reuse of waste during construction, recycling, and carbon storage solutions, carbon emissions will be kept to a minimum. Houses will be equipped with a heat pump, solar panels and battery storage, among other green technologies.
35 of the homes built will be affordable homes, while sticking to the same sustainability targets. Of those 35, 20 will be for affordable rent, and 15 will be shared ownership.
The zero bills housing development will also feature a DIY and reuse centre that allows residents to swap tools and equipment, as well as a fitness centre and pop-up space. Also featured will be children’s play areas, a trail garden, a ‘play street’ that will not allow vehicles, and a natural landscape area using local trees, seating, planting new trees, edible planting and habitat creation.
Electric cars and vehicles will also be supported.
Construction has begun, with the first homes expected to be completed later this year.
The UK needs more sustainable homes
In 2023, an investigation by Turley found that 39% of people were more likely to buy a sustainable home in the wake of the UK’s energy crisis, as well as rising energy costs.
The most popular features that these house hunters would look for include high-performance insulation, glazing, and solar panels.
Somewhat less popular are heat pumps, but this was due to a lack of awareness around the technology, in spite of the government banning gas boilers in new builds effective this year, essentially making heat pumps mandatory in these buildings.
At the time, Turley’s director of sustainability, Barny Evans, said: “New homes built during the 2020s will change more than in the previous 40 years. Heat pumps, electric vehicle chargers, much better insultation and solar power will be standard on almost all homes very soon. These features, as well as improving environmental performance, can reduce bills substantially.
“Although there is still a way to go, our survey shows a growing awareness and appreciation of these features. That is a great incentive for housebuilders to embrace them and showcase them on new developments.”
