Chipping Norton Zero Carbon
SOLID are thrilled that West Oxfordshire District Council has agreed to move forward with the proposed affordable Net-Zero Carbon Homes in Chipping Norton. The proposed development has been in the pipeline for several years, but various legalities have held up the proceedings. Whilst new projects such as this do bring about challenges, it is reassuring to see WODC working so hard to overcome them, demonstrating their enthusiasm to deliver vital sustainable developments in line with the government’s net-zero targets.
Not only do these houses offer an eco-friendlier option over traditional newbuilds, but they also help tackle the housing crisis due to their affordability. West Oxfordshire District Council plan to market the homes at 15% less than the current local market average. The development enabler, Green Axis Ltd, are also offering the properties on a ‘custom build’ capacity. This means that buyers will have a significant input into the layout and specifications of their homes, without the stress and expense of self-building. Green Axis have pre-set parameters which enable multiple options for layouts, external materials, and internal finishes, whilst also knowing the carbon impact of the decisions made.
The development will follow West Oxfordshire District Council’s zero-carbon toolkit and Passivhaus principles to ensure the required standards are met. This approach minimises the energy required to heat the homes. Heating and hot water will be powered by electricity and offset by solar panels. Electric vehicle charging hubs will also be installed and there is even talk of a community garden on the site.
SOLID are proud to be part of this sustainable development which reflects our 1% Better Every Day mission to explore better, more sustainable solutions for residential construction. Our team have designed the civils for the project. SOLID’s civil engineers initially tackled the overall site levels ensuring that the site would not undergo large amounts of excess cut material due to the awkwardly sloping nature of the project whilst balancing suitable access and reducing the proposed retaining wall heights. A thoughtful approach was applied to the road levels, ensuring seamless integration into the existing road whilst providing suitable falls to allow for a self-draining road and car park system. Strategic planning extended to surface water management, with a focus on utilising the site’s natural ability to absorb water. Our civil engineers designed a drainage network to capture all the roof water runoff, channelling it to a carefully sized soakaway located in the lower corner of the site. This strategic positioning not only ensured efficient water discharge but also aligned harmoniously with the proposed community garden's location, enhancing the overall sustainability of the site.
If you are planning an exciting sustainable development our team would love to hear from you. Contact SOLID now to discover how we can overcome the civil or structural challenges you may face throughout the build process.