UK's biggest 'zero carbon' housing development gets green light

England’s first large-scale 'zero carbon' housing development, a Barratt scheme, has received planning permission.

The house builder will build 195 homes as part of the Hanham Hall eco-village in South Gloucestershire, part of the Carbon Challenge programme run by the Homes and Communities Agency.

All homes must be built to Level 6 of the Code for Sustainable Homes.

The houses will be constructed using energy efficient materials with high insulation standards and features to conserve water.

Materials from the existing buildings on the site will be recycled in the new development and heat from air extracted from the homes will be recycled.

Rainwater will be harvested for use in homes and gardens and residents will have access to allotments and orchards to grow their own produce.

Hanham Hall itself, a former hospital building, will be refurbished and transformed into a community centre for the neighbourhood.

Work on site is due to start by the end of this year and the first homes are planned to be completed by 2010. 

• More planning news on EGI.