Eco-friendly Stamford Brook offers green workshops for youngsters

Redrow's eco-friendly Stamford Brook development is giving youngsters in Altrincham the chance to go green with an environmental workshop. Parents of primary school age children are invited to bring them to the development off Manchester Road between 12noon and 4pm on Sunday 20 April. The workshops will cover a number of themes in a fun and easy to understand way, including CO² production, the Greenhouse Effect, recycling, consumption reduction (to include, waste, electricity and water), renewable energy, composting and food miles.

The children will be able to take part in exciting hands on activities including making a sample of CO² and inflating a balloon; designing rotor blades for a wind turbine and then testing to see if they produce electricity, as well as planting seasonal vegetables in hand-made biodegradable pots

Elaine Mounsey, area sales manager for Redrow Homes (North West) says: “Stamford Brook has been designed to demonstrate how a mainstream development can spearhead more sustainable living through key initiatives such as energy efficiency, water conservation, recycling and waste minimisation, but still offer the kind of traditional home that many people want to buy.

“It is all about building a better and safer community and what better way to spread that message than a workshop for local children. And, while the kids have fun going green, mums and dads can take a look at our ‘greener’ homes”.

Stamford Brook is built on former National Trust land on the edge of the Dunham Massey estate and is emerging as one of the most important developments in the region today.

The flagship venture, in association with the National Trust, demonstrates how large developments can offer more sustainable living.

All of the new homes offer everything that the modern resident needs and have a “normal” exterior, yet are designed to be ultra-efficient in their use of energy, water and building materials.

A selection of two-bedroom apartments are currently available from Redrow, with prices starting from £152,000, while a wide range of three and four-bedroom houses are on offer from £229,950, including a selection with the roof space cleverly converted to create a study.

But the homes are only part of the Stamford Brook story, the partners have gone to great lengths to improve the natural landscape.

Sinderland Brook, which runs through the development, has been the subject of the largest river restoration project of its kind in England and has just won a 2008 Waterways Renaissance Award scheme from The Waterways Trust and BURA (British Urban Regeneration Association).

Stamford Brook has also been planned to reduce the dominance of cars and there is a comprehensive footpath and cycle path network, as well as wildlife corridors and community woodland.

Once it is complete the development will provide residents with everything that they need on their doorstep, further enhancing its sustainability. Plans are in the pipeline for a Waitrose food store and five smaller retail units – and a community facility is also planned for the development.

Stamford Brook is just 20 minutes from the cosmopolitan city of Manchester and the area offers excellent rail and road links, while the Manchester Metrolink service is just a 10-minute cycle ride or bus journey away.

Altrincham town centre boasts a wealth of cafes, bars, restaurants and leisure facilities, and is home to most of the major high street stores, while the Trafford Centre is only a short distance away. The development also lies on the edge of the National Trust’s 3,000 acre Dunham Massey Estate, with its wonderful parkland, gardens and mansion house.

And for parents looking to make the move to Stamford Brook, the area is home to a number of top-performing schools.

To get involved in the workshops at Stamford Brook visit the development off Manchester Road, Altrincham between 12noon and 4pm on 20 April.

For more information on Stamford Brook go to Redrow.co.uk.