Construction work has begun on 30 climate friendly and energy efficient new family homes being built at Manor Gardens, a new development located off Malmains Drive in Frenchay, South Gloucestershire.
A turf-cutting ceremony was held at the site (Thursday 18 August) featuring representatives from South Gloucestershire Council and Aequus Construction Limited to mark the start of the building work.
South Gloucestershire Council is working in partnership with Bath & North East Somerset Council’s housing company Aequus to deliver the 30 energy efficient modern family homes, which range from one to four bedroom properties. Eleven of the homes will be affordable, of which eight will be designated for social rent via Alliance Homes and three will be available for shared ownership.
The entire development is being built to energy efficiency standards set out by the Association for Environment Conscious Building (AECB) and are designed to keep household bills to a minimum. The new homes will include climate friendly elements including solar panels, air source heat pumps, extra insulation, mechanical ventilation and recovery systems and a dedicated electric vehicle charging point. These measures will reduce emissions and cut energy bills by an estimated 70 per cent in comparison to similar average properties. The development will also feature a central public open space and will include biodiverse and resilient planting and sustainable urban drainage.
Councillor Ben Burton, cabinet member responsible for corporate resources at South Gloucestershire Council, said: “We are delighted to see work begin at Manor Gardens, and we look forward to working with Aequus to deliver these energy efficient, green homes. This development supports our Climate Emergency aims for South Gloucestershire, and as we continue on our journey to net-zero, we need to do all we can to help ramp up the delivery of energy efficient housing and renewable energy.
“With so many families in need of a new home, and rising energy prices impacting everyone at the moment, these climate friendly, efficient properties will make a real difference to people’s lives.
“We know that access to outdoor space is important for our physical and mental wellbeing, so I am also pleased that a green space and a play area has been included in the plans. This will help ensure that existing and new residents in the area will continue to benefit from places to walk dogs, for children to play and everyone can enjoy the fresh air and nature.”
Charles Gerrish, Chair of Aequus said “We are delighted to be starting our first development with South Gloucestershire and we share ambitions to deliver a mix of new sustainable homes for the local community and hope this will be the start of a positive relationship for the future.”
The Manor Gardens development is the first to be delivered in South Gloucestershire through joint working between the local authority and house builder Aequus, and is part of the council’s ongoing efforts to improve local communities by delivering quality homes in a plan led approach.
If anyone wants to register their early interest in the new homes at Manor Gardens they can contact manorgardens@connells.co.uk
