|
Housebuilder Larkfleet SW Ltd (Larkfleet) is part of the Larkfleet Group, an award-winning housebuilding and development company based in Bourne, Lincolnshire that places particular emphasis on sustainability. Like most housebuilders, the company uses mains gas for the majority of its sites. However, this was not an option for its secluded rural development in the village of Churchinford, nine miles south of Taunton, Somerset. Determined to give its homebuyers the comfort and familiarity of gas, Larkfleet opted for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from Calor. Set within the heart of the Blackdown Hills, an area of outstanding natural beauty, aesthetics were a prime consideration for Larkfleet when designing its exclusive Churchinford Hills development. While interiors are sleek and contemporary, the houses are constructed of loose lay flint stone and a quarter are topped with traditional, hand laid thatched roofs. Larkfleet commissioned a local specialist approved by the Guild of Master Craftsmen to fashion the roofs from wheat reed that had been grown and harvested locally. To maintain the tranquil countryside feel of the development, Calor installed two 4000-litre underground LPG tanks, buried out of sight of the 20 three and four-bedroom homes. Gas is distributed through a network of hidden pipes directly to each home, which each have individual meters that are read annually by Calor. This allows homeowners to be invoiced for their individual consumption, which means on completion of the development, Larkfleet will not need to be involved with its energy supply on an ongoing basis. In terms of SAP ratings, LPG scores better than electric heating solutions, meaning that typically fewer energy-saving measures need to be installed. In fact, by adopting a ‘Fabric First’ approach and specifying only high-quality materials, Larkfleet found no modifications were needed to its standard house designs to achieve Part L compliance with government Building Regulations. Buyers have been delighted that their dream homes have the gas central heating they are accustomed to as Shaune Hicks, Construction Director, Larkfleet added: “In my experience, homeowners much prefer gas to electric, and they are reassured that LPG is an equally good alternative to mains gas. I must confess to having initial reservations about installing tanks as the ambience of the development is vital to the finished product, but it has been tastefully done and the tanks are very discreet. The sales rate has been great, and we are already 90 per cent sold.” Churchinford Hills’ quality was recently recognised when it was judged Best New Housing Development in the 2018 Somerset Building Excellence Awards. Shaune Hicks comments, “We have given great consideration to modern living within this rural location by introducing large open interior space, modern bathrooms and kitchens with LPG heating, but with exteriors that retain village charm. We are giving our buyers the best of both worlds and it is gratifying to receive external endorsement of our approach.” Larkfleet did consider alternative suppliers but chose to work with Calor because Shane had used them in the past and was familiar with the company’s high level of service. In fact, Larkfleet was so pleased with its experience that it is already working with Calor again on another rural development, in the village of Ilton in Somerset. |