Building on the city’s history of being a housing pioneer, the City of York Council has contracted Caddick Construction to build the council’s first ever zero carbon homes.
Contracts have been signed to build 112 certified Passivhaus homes as part of the council’s Housing Delivery Programme. This ambitious council-led programme is building 600 homes across the city. Between 40% to 60% will be affordable, over two-times what current planning guidelines require.
The first zero carbon homes will be built on sites at Duncombe Barracks in Clifton and Burnholme in Heworth. Local residents co-designed the projects alongside the council’s architects Mikhail Riches. As much of the homes’ construction will take place off-site, neighbours will find less on-site activity than on conventional builds.
Caddick are committed to support the local economy, including creating 30 jobs, 22 work placements and a programme of training and development for 14- to 19-year-olds. Besides aiming to source 70% of their subcontractors and suppliers within 30 miles of the site, they will offer training on site through apprenticeships, traineeships, and higher qualifications for new and existing staff.
Working with York College, York Apprenticeship Hub and Job Centre Plus, they will support the development of ‘Green Skills’ in the supply chain. Caddick’s team will do this by taking part in local construction industry skills forums, engaging with local trades and construction firms, and contributing to construction training content with local further education and higher education providers.
Supporting the council’s commitment to tackling the carbon crisis and fuel poverty, the homes will be extremely well-insulated and will have rooftop solar panels to generate the electricity needed for the homes, including for the energy-efficient air-source heat pumps. Keeping the construction low carbon too, the buildings’ structures will be constructed of timber. The homes will benefit from high-quality green spaces and tree-lined streets on their doorstep as part of a connected and walkable neighbourhood.
Cllr Denise Craghill, executive member for housing and safer neighbourhoods at City of York Council, said: “Following rigorous procurement, I’m delighted that Caddick Construction is working with us to realise our Housing Delivery Programme’s vision.
“Our shared passion for Passivhaus aims to tackle climate change, energy bills and fuel poverty, and to inspire other developers and builders to be equally progressive and carbon-conscious. The high-quality, highly energy efficient homes Caddick will build are a significant step forward for housing in York, whilst also adding at least 40% affordable housing to the city’s stock.”
Richard Greenwood, Caddick Construction’s director of housing, said: “Caddick Construction is delighted to partner with City of York Council on this exciting project that will help set the standard for sustainable construction in the North.
“Green technology coupled with new building methods has come on in leaps and bounds in recent years, but we are yet to see these practices adopted wholesale in the UK housing market. City of York Council is being extremely forward-thinking in its sustainable approach to the Burnholme and Duncombe Barracks schemes, and the Caddick team is ready to demonstrate it is possible to design and produce high quality homes to a Passivhaus standard for the public sector.”
