Green light for UK’s biggest zero carbon homes site

Construction of Britain’s biggest development of zero carbon homes is set to get underway after Peterborough planners gave it the green light.

The 295-home scheme incorporates improved architecture and construction technologies to drastically reduce carbon emissions.

All the Morris Homes constructed properties will be built to level 6 of the Code for Sustainable Homes.

The homes are being delivered as part of the government’s Carbon Challenge programme, which is designed to show architects and housebuilders how level 6 of the code can be achieved.

Morris Homes is working with with sustainable architecture specialist Browne Smith Baker and landscape architects Barnes Walker on the green scheme, which will include a sustainable urban drainage system and carbon zero energy generation alongside retail and community facilities.

The sustainable development will provide a mixture of 63 two-bedroom, 90 three-bedroom and 68 four-bedroom houses plus 74 two-bedroom apartments in a seven-storey block.

The apartment block, complete with a grass roof and green walling, will sit above a 3,000 sq ft food store.

The Homes and Community Agency is providing £7.8m for the housing.

Terry Fuller, executive director for the HCA in the East and South East, said: “This is great news for Peterborough and the industry. The ‘zero carbon’ status aims to create new homesand places that are appealing, attractive and point the way to how we could all live in the future.”