Sovereign to provide affordable homes at flagship zero-carbon development

Sovereign Housing Association will provide 61 affordable homes at Hanham Hall, in South Gloucestershire, one of the country’s most important new zero-carbon developments.

Sovereign has signed a contract with Barratt Homes to take the affordable homes at the new community. These will consist of 54 general needs rental properties, eight of which will be wheelchair accessible, and seven shared ownership homes.

The first Sovereign properties, a mixture of two- and three-bedroom homes, are expected to be occupied by March 2013.

Hanham Hall, which is owned by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and is being built by Barratt Homes, will be made up of 185 eco-homes. These properties aresuper-insulated timber-frame buildings that have been built to meet the highest energy efficiency standards.

Features include high levels of insulation, mechanical ventilation heat recovery (MVHR), which expels stale air, and brings in fresh air, water recycling systems and alternative sources of energy such as photovoltaic solar panels.

James Gibson, Sovereign’s Regional Development Director, said: “Sovereign is an organisation that takes its responsibility for the environment very seriously and we do all we can to reduce the environmental impact of our homes and business. For this reason, we are especially proud to be involved in a flagship development like Hanham Hall, and keen to play our part in building a strong and successful community here, including helping our residents adapt to this new way of living,”

As well as knowing that they are contributing to reduced carbon emissions, Hanham Hall residents will also benefit from reduced energy bills, communal facilities such as allotments, green spaces and cycle routes to the centre of Bristol.

The Hanham Hall development is set in 12 acres of land. The original Grade II listed Hanham Hall building is being refurbished as part of the development plans.

Barratt managing director Richard Gregory said he was delighted to be working with Sovereign Housing Association on what is already a successful development: “Since our launch last summer, homes at Hanham Hall have been in great demand,’’ he said. “Visitors have been impressed with the design and specification of the homes, the stunning setting and the overall philosophy.”

The first homes at Hanham Hall were completed in the summer of 2012, with the project anticipated to be finished in April 2015.

David Warburton, HCA Head of Area, said: “Providing high quality affordable homes for local people has always been an important part of what we are looking to achieve at Hanham Hall. When complete, this development will include a range of homes and commercial space for people to set up and grow their businesses.

“Now the development is taking shape, people are beginning to see the vision for the site being brought to life. Hanham Hall has already generated huge interest and I am sure that the affordable homes built here will be highly popular and make a significant difference to the area.”

Cllr Matthew Riddle, Chair of South Gloucestershire Council’s Adults and Housing Committee, added: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Sovereign to find the first residents to move into the completed affordable housing units in Hanham. This groundbreaking housing development will be accessible to a wide range of residents’ needs.”