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

CASE STUDY 9
One Earth Homes, Upton
Northampton, Northamptonshire
Code Level
Level 6
INTRODUCTION
The One Earth Homes are six houses located
on the Upton development (large scale,
multi-developer site), three miles outside
of Northampton town centre. These houses
are the UK’s first certified, open-market,
Code Level 6 homes.
Development
type
Construction
type
Key Sustainability
Features
Procurement
Method
Six terrace units, two-storey three-bedroom
houses, two rental, four shared ownership
Off-site manufactured glulam timber frame,
in-filled with a secondary timber studwork
High levels of insulation, low air permeability,
passive solar design, thermal mass construction,
district heating via a wood pellet boiler, photovoltaic
panels, solar thermal hot water
Housing association development procured
by standard procurement method
The One Earth Homes form part of the
first phase of the Metropolitan Housing
Partnership’s activities on the Upton
development, during which 345 homes will
be built. Plans for the whole development
include around1380 units, a primary school,
a local centre with retail; offices; a public
house; café and restaurant, a medical
centre and a nursery.
The proposals for Upton began in 2001,
when a consortium of stakeholders including
English Partnerships (the landowner), NBC
and the Princes Foundation drew up a strategy
for Upton to demonstrate and promote
sustainable urban growth. The strategic
plan for the whole development was drawn
up through extensive consultation with
stakeholders, with sustainability forming
a key part of the design code for the
development. The masterplan for the site
included requirements for all units to be built
to EcoHomes Excellent. The development
of the Code Level 6 homes was made
possible through the partnership between the
Metropolitan Housing Partnership and Homes
and Communities Agency (formerly English
Partnerships and the Housing Corporation)
to grant fund the affordable homes and
contribute to the build costs.
CASE STUDY 9 | CODE FOR SUSTAINABLE HOMES | 43