Pavilion Lock goes green

An innovative range of homes in Stoke-on-Trent aimed at helping first-time buyers get onto the property ladder has proved its ‘green’ credentials. Debut at Pavilion Lock in Hanley has been certified by BRE (Building Research Establishment) as scoring ‘Excellent’ on the EcoHomes rating, making the development one of the most eco-friendly and energy efficient in the country.

It follows the success of many of Redrow’s Debut developments in gaining access to the exclusive group of around 100 schemes across the UK to achieve this top rating.

Launched in April 2000 by the BREEAM centre at BRE, with support from the National House Building Council, EcoHomes is an independent labelling scheme for housing, which assesses the environmental quality of a development by considering the broad concerns of climate change, use of resources, pollution and impacts on bio-diversity. Homes are ranked on a four point scale of ‘PASS’, ‘GOOD’, ‘VERY GOOD’ and ‘EXCELLENT’.

In order to achieve EcoHomes status properties must balance environmental performance with the need for a high quality of life and a safe and healthy internal environment.

Deborah Brownhill, commercial director at BREEAM, says: “Debut at Pavilion Lock yet again highlights Redrow’s commitment to providing sustainable and affordable housing throughout the UK. Awarded an EXCELLENT rating, Debut at Pavilion Lock has achieved consistent high scores across all the EcoHomes categories and we are glad to hear that there are more Debut housing schemes in the pipeline.”

The NHBC provided expert advice throughout the assessment.

Much of the cost saving in Debut homes comes from the way in which the properties are built, using Surebuild 3 galvanised lightweight steel frame manufactured in Swadlincote by Framing Solutions – a joint venture between Redrow and steel giant Corus. Together with other elements of off-site manufacture and modern methods of construction, this speeds up the build programme without compromising on quality.

Communal heating and hot water systems also provide cost efficiencies, while replacing private gardens with carefully planned, shared outdoor space, maintained by Redrow’s own management company, means Debut properties take up less land than conventional new homes – all resulting in a lower priced home.

Mike Bury, technical director for Redrow Homes says: “The EcoHomes score of ‘EXCELLENT’ for Debut at Pavilion Lock is a further example of our commitment to not only creating new communities with Debut, but ones which are eco-friendly and encourage their inhabitants to be more aware of the environment around them.”

With Debut everything is geared to making home ownership accessible, affordable and easy to manage.

Buyers can take advantage of the ‘Easi-buy’ scheme which allows them to defer 10 per cent of the price of their new home for up to 10 years on a fixed sum basis. It can be paid back via occasional lump sums, monthly repayments or in whole at any time.

Also, a single monthly service charge covers all external maintenance, as well as water, gas and electricity use and buildings insurance. And special measures are in place to prevent buy-to-let investors from buying the homes.

More than 300 people queued to snap up a property at Debut at Pavilion Lock, part of the £177 million ‘City Waterside’ regeneration scheme, in Stoke-on-Trent, when the development was first launched.

The 137 one and two-bedroom Debut homes will form part of a modern urban neighbourhood being created alongside the Caldon Canal.

Elsewhere in the Midlands area, Debut developments are currently available or coming soon in Castle Vale, Birmingham, Hilton, near Derby, Burton-upon-Trent and Lincoln, plus further afield at Chorley, in Lancashire, Newport, Bridgend and Merthyr Tydfil, in South Wales, plus Selby, North Yorkshire.

To find out how to get your foot onto the property ladder with Redrow, visit Debutbyredrow.co.uk, or for more information about the rest of Redrow’s portfolio go online at Redrow.co.uk.