Code for sustainable homes: case studies volume 2 - Gov.uk

The final vision for the site, which was drawn
up over two years of extensive consultation,
is to regenerate an entire community, part of
which includes providing opportunities for local
people. Stamford Homes North has sought
to utilise local labour during construction, and
part of the reason the homes were built using
traditional masonry techniques was to utilise
local skills without the need for retraining.
While the developer did not experience any
issues with achieving Code Level 3, it was
felt that in order to meet higher levels of the
Code, specifications would have to alter more
significantly, for example using renewable
energy to achieve Code Level 4.
All build systems have conventional building
warranties.
Working with the Code
for Sustainable Homes
This is the first scheme in which either the
developer or the housing association had
achieved Code Level 3 certification. The
developer had worked with the EcoHomes
standard prior to this development, and found
the transition from EcoHomes to the Code
for Sustainable Homes straightforward. The
developer worked closely with the housing
association to ensure that the specifications it
selected to achieve the Code were acceptable
(particularly in relation to the heat recovery
exhaust air heating and hot water system).
In order to understand and achieve the Code
requirements the developer employed an
external consultant to assist with the process.
The developer felt it was important that both
suppliers and site workers understood the Code
requirements in order to achieve the design
standards during construction. Working to
Code Levels 3, 4 and 5 on this project has
helped the developer understand how it can
most effectively meet Code requirements both
in later phases of this development and on
other developments.
cost and Value
The build cost excluding land costs and fees
was around £900 per square metre.
The developer suggested this represents an
additional uplift in costs of £4200–£4300
Code Level 3 unit, and is anticipating an
additional uplift in costs of £15,000–£20,000
per unit for the two Code Level 5 bungalows,
compared to their standard units built to
Building Regulations.
The sales value of the properties that have
so far been put on the market range from
£124,950 (three-bedroom link property) to
£149,950 (three-bedroom semi detached
house). These are depressed compared to local
sales values due to the development location.
14 | CODE FOR SUSTAINABLE HOMES | CASE STUDY 5