We are proposing an innovative affordable housing development on the outskirts of Ivybridge that embeds renewable energy, energy efficiency, healthy living and green transport in the design of the project. 
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For those with low or modest incomes, housing, energy and mobility represent a considerable proportion of their total expenditure and frequently one or more of these elements will prove unaffordable, forcing them to make compromises or to do without. It is becoming increasingly difficult for new entrants into the housing market in the South Hams and the issues around fuel and transport poverty are well documented.

The principal objective is to deliver 30 residential dwellings, all for social rent. To achieve this we plan to demonstrate exemplar energy performance through the delivery of ultra-high performance building fabric and efficiency measures, the provision of a significant volume of onsite generated renewable energy, and to maximise its on-site usage through shared electric vehicles (EVs) and smart controls.

The scheme will be at the forefront of sustainable design and development, in keeping with the council’s strategy for sustainability in the built environment and is a blue print for the type of housing we should be building in a Climate Emergency. Given the rural character of the site, the scheme will be ecologically sensitive in design, and result in enhanced bio-diversity.

The key elements of such a project would be:
  • Dwellings built to zero carbon standard
  • High quality build to minimise long term repair and renewal costs
  • Healthy houses, free of toxic and allergenic materials, volatile solvents etc.
  • Renewable energy generation and storage onsite, import of electricity will be minimised, potential revenue from electricity export
  • Pool of vehicle to grid (V2G) EVs along with e-bikes to provide a range of mobility options and contribute to the on-site electricity storage
  • Smart metering and smart switching
  • Sustainable drainage strategy and minimal rainwater runoff from site reducing contribution to downstream flooding
  • Selling properties post construction will not be an option as this would inevitably make them unaffordable to subsequent purchasers
 
The principal benefits of a HEMS development would be:
  • Long term availability of high quality, healthy accommodation at an affordable price
  • Tenants will receive one monthly bill covering housing, energy and mobility
  • Cost of energy will be minimised by smart switching of appliances (dishwashers, washing machines, freezers, immersion heaters etc.) and smart signalling to encourage energy usage at times when on-site generation is high or stored energy is available (eg from cars overnight)
  • Use of on-site EV (electric vehicles) fleet and e-bikes will be charged on a per hour basis, depending on the vehicle used
  • Facilitates stress free relocation as tenants will be able to move seamlessly from one HEMs development to another in the future
  • Community investors receive a reliable long-term return on their investment
  • Banks will be able to take a charge on ‘bricks and mortar’, energy, storage and EV assets all of which they understand, in terms of risk, in order to secure their lending


Next...
Why
The concept
The need
​Project timeline
Current site
Surveys
Access and drainage
Proposed site layout
What will they look like?
Passivhaus
Microgrid
Solar PV
Renewable heating
Electric vehicles (EVs)
Nature
Communal areas
Who can live here
How will we finance the project
Community consultation