Showcase homes plan to put emphasis on saving energy

Four new homes will be built under proposals put forward by Hambleton District Council and housing associations, each using different methods of energy conservation.

The showcase development will be used to demonstrate to architects and builders the options for creating new styles of homes in the district.

The approach is part of the authority's strategy for housing, which also looks at home improvement schemes and initiatives for supported housing for people with either learning difficulties or physical disabilities.

Hambleton's head of environmental health and housing, Eric Kendall, said: "We are looking at a housing demonstration project for energy efficiency and water conservation, which we will use to show these concepts to builders and architects.

"We are looking to have four properties, all built in a similar way, but they will have different types of insulation and different aspects of conservation which can be switched off. There are different aspects that we can build in and see how they work.

"It will also look at how easy it is for people to use these things and how much energy can be saved during the year."

Mr Kendall said water conservation systems could range from re-using rain water to recycling grey water, which has already been used in washing up or showers. The project will be developed with housing associations, but Mr Kendall said one stumbling block was finding a suitable site.

He said: "The cost of a site for social-type housing can be prohibitive for private developers to step in so we will not cost the project until we have found a site."

Mr Kendall said the authority is also looking at partnership projects to develop more supported housing facilities, for people who live largely independently but need some help.

Mr Kendall added that the authority was also committed to supporting the Dale and Vale Home Improvement Agency, which carries out minor works aimed at allowing people to remain in their own homes for longer