Case study detail
Housing at Millenium Green
Millenium Green, Collingham
Contributed by:
Sustainable Development Commission
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Development of high quality environmentally friendly homes for sale on the commercial property market, incorporating numerous low environmental impact features.
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Overview
Millennium Green was the first development of its kind in the UK. Gusto Construction is a small commercial housing developer, and has built 24 conventionally styled homes for the mass market at a site in Collingham, Nottinghamshire, that incorporate a number of low environmental impact features.
Of particular note are the various water efficiency measures. The homes were fitted with the ‘Freerain’ system, which is an advanced rainwater harvesting system developed by Gusto. The rainwater system uses underground storage tanks big enough to provide non-potable water to the home for 18 days. If the supply of rainwater becomes too low, the tank is automatically topped up by mains supply. Homeowners are able to observe whether their tank is being supplied through the mains by a light in the control box. The harvested water is used in the homes for toilet flushing, washing machines and for gardening purposes. Various water efficient appliances complement the rainwater harvesting system. Analysis of the water use in two homes fitted with monitoring equipment showed that harvested rainwater accounted for 50% of water consumption in the houses. The system was Overall winner of the Environment Agency Water Efficiency Award in 2003.
Additional low environmental impact features of the development include solar heating; very high thermal specification; mechanical heat recovery ventilation; high-specification glazing; ISDN compatible telephone and internet connections throughout; gas condensed boilers and intelligent boiler management systems fitted as standard. A business centre developed on site provides serviced office space for residents who wish to work from home, and a communal green and protected area have been created at the development.
An independent researcher carrying out focus groups with the residents has found that the environmental sustainability features of the houses at Millennium Green have been important in encouraging residents to purchase their houses, although the degree of influence was variable. There have been concerns amongst some residents about the new technologies in their houses, but householder learning is taking place, and Gusto is committed to high quality after sales care. Gusto has found that a premium of 10% has been added to the cost of the development due to the additional features incorporated into the dwellings. All costs have been met by the developer without external subsidies.
Key features
Biodiversity Initiatives
CHP/District Heating
Energy Efficiency
Managed Public Space
Renewable Energy
Water Efficiency
Water Recycling
Key data
Project Team: Gusto
Cost:
Local Authority:
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