Neath Port Talbot Council has given the green light for one of the world’s first “true net-zero-carbon in operation” neighbourhoods, in Parc Hadau, Pontardawe.
The £8m development by Sero Homes will comprise just 35 homes but will transform a scrubland site into a sustainable extension to the existing community and will offer residents no energy bills if they are within the forecast levels of usage.
It will be the first scheme to go to the full extent of the UK Green Building Council’s definition of net zero carbon, by tracking real-time “in-use” carbon emissions when the homes are running.
Intelligent controls by sister company Sero Energy will continuously track carbon emissions from the National Grid to ensure any imported electricity’s emissions are more than balanced by those avoided from electricity generated on the site and exported from the homes.
This accounts for the homes’ “regulated” energy, as well as the residents’ plug-in appliances, meaning Parc Hadau goes beyond the energy performance certificate A rating and further exceeds current Welsh Building Regulations requirements.
The new homes will use very low-energy building design to reduce the energy demands of the homes and their residents. This will be combined with a mix of renewable energy technologies, including thermal and electrical storage, significant on-site photovoltaic panels and ground-source heat pumps, together with ventilation systems that keep the warmth inside while ensuring fresh, filtered air.
Long-term tenures
Based on a model more common on the continent, the purpose-built homes will be available through long-term, index-linked tenures rather than open-market sale. They will address the need for quality, affordability and long-term security for residents, while avoiding high deposits which prevent people from getting on the property ladder.
The scheme is backed by more than £2m from the Welsh government’s Innovative Housing Programme, which supports the innovative elements of the scheme. The remaining funding is provided through Sero Homes.
Sero Homes managing director James Williams said: “The principles underpinning our vision for housing are simple – people’s homes should minimise the harm done to our planet and they shouldn’t cost the earth to run. The current housing market is failing to achieve this, and Parc Hadau will bring to life – at scale – this vision for better homes for future generations.
“The climate change agenda may have gathered pace in recent years and months, demonstrated by UK government net-zero-carbon emissions targets for 2050 – but the answers to these huge challenges are needed right now.
“Parc Hadau will be an international exemplar of what great places to live can look like, and we hope will be one of many opportunities for us to create new neighbourhoods across the UK that enable more people access to great quality, zero-carbon homes at a time when they are needed most.”
Huge challenge for the industry
Richard Twinn, senior policy adviser at the UK Green Building Council, said: “Meaningful action over the next 10 years will be critical to help avoid the worst impacts of climate change. The energy used in homes accounts for around 20% of the UK’s emissions, so if we are going to radically reduce emissions, we need all of our new homes to be net-zero-carbon in operation by 2030 at the latest.
“This represents a huge challenge for the industry. Housebuilders must act quickly to deliver homes that have very low-energy demand and are powered entirely by renewable energy. Forward-thinking projects such as Sero’s Parc Hadau will help to lead the way so that we can turn net zero into business as usual by 2030.”
Other innovations at Parc Hadau include promoting active travel, low-carbon and carbon storage construction, thermal mass, as well as each home being equipped for electric vehicle fast-charge charging.
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