A new pilot scheme development delivered through a unique partnership with Leeds Metropolitan University and Leeds College of Building has been unveiled in South Yorkshire this week - showcasing Southdale’s green construction credentials in delivering the government’s Code for Sustainable Homes. 

Halifax-based Southdale, which specialises in social and residential housing and public build projects, has just completed the pilot scheme on Eldon Road in Rotherham, which transforms a derelict site into three new homes which achieve Level three, four and five ratings under the Code for Sustainable Homes.   

The Code measures the sustainability of a building and is designed to reduce carbon emissions, with Southdale achieving its accredited ratings at Eldon by fulfilling criteria such as water, pollution and CO² reductions through the enhanced thermal performance, renewable technologies and other innovative eco-design features it incorporated into the build. The Code supports the government target that all new homes will be zero carbon from 2016.

Delivering the scheme on behalf of Chevin Housing Association and Rotherham MBC, Southdale’s pilot project is also the focus of an academic study conducted by lecturers and students from the School of the Built Environment at Leeds Metropolitan University and the Higher Education and Construction Management Faculty at Leeds College of Building. Both higher education institutions examined Southdale’s overall approach to the build programme, to gain a greater insight into the technical skills, experience and building methods used to achieve Code three, four and five.   

Southdale completed extensive research and explored a range of sustainable design features, prior to commencing the build programme. This enabled the company to look at everything from reducing air leakage and boosting thermal insulation in the properties, through to conducting an ecology study to introduce nine new species of plants specifically to support the local habitat and gardened areas of the development.

Trudie McCormick, technical director for Southdale, commented: “With homes accounting for 28 per cent of total energy consumption in the UK, this pilot scheme highlights how the Code for Sustainable Homes can be achieved through practical and innovative design, considerate build solutions and high quality materials.

“At Eldon, we adopted what is known as a ‘fabric first’ approach which is essentially a commitment to using materials which are critical to improving the air tightness and thermal insulation of a property, and ensured that we achieved the Code ratings without depending solely on renewable technologies which can be costly and impractical for residents to use and maintain in the long term. Putting the needs and considerations of the resident is at the heart of every project we deliver.”

Peter Hogg, lecturer at Leeds College of Building, said: “Southdale has given the college a great opportunity to study new housing at various levels of the Code for Sustainable Homes, including how they have achieved each level and the problems they faced. We will be using this gained knowledge not only in our teaching of construction technology, but also in construction management and practical study levels.”

Chris Gorse, professor of construction and project management at Leeds Metropolitan University, said: “We need to act quickly if we are to improve the sustainability of our building stock and achieve the 2016 zero carbon targets. There is much to learn about new methods of construction, renewable energy systems and the performance of the building fabric and building services systems.

“Innovative pilot projects and forward thinking contractors, such as Southdale, are making significant moves in the development of low carbon housing. The industry now recognises the value of engaging in research, whilst academia is learning from the wealth of industrial knowledge that contractors have to offer. Through continuous engagement with Southdale, we will develop our knowledge and increase our understanding - enabling both parties to prosper and achieve in the challenging economic climate.” 

Trudie, added: “No stone was left unturned in both the planning and delivery phase of this pilot scheme, with the outcome being a superb housing development which showcases the very latest in sustainable building design. Working with both Leeds Metropolitan University and Leeds College of Building has also been extremely beneficial in helping us review and evaluate our build practices, so that we can continue to innovate within the Code for Sustainable Homes.”

Steve Close Group Chief Executive at Chevin Housing said “We are committed to improving the sustainability of our new and existing homes and taking part in this type of pilot is essential in helping us understand the best ways of reducing both carbon emissions and the running costs of our homes.”

Councillor Jahangir Akhtar, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood in Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council is “delighted with the pilot scheme in an area where reducing energy bills will have significant long term benefits for the residents in those homes. We are greatly encouraged by this pilot scheme which will demonstrate that with technology and construction we can achieve long term sustainable homes.”