Waltham Forest Council has worked with Galliard Homes to ensure the new development at 256 Church Road is as low-carbon as possible, in keeping with the Council’s ambitions to tackle the global climate emergency on a local level.
The new development, set for completion in early 2020, is the first in the country to employ a large-scale communal air source heat pump, delivered under the London Plan for Zero Carbon Homes.
The scheme is one of five innovative low carbon housing projects that have signed up to be part of the Building for 2050 research project, funded by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).
The air source heat pump absorbs warmth from the air outside and releases this heat into air or water, which is then distributed around the home. It can do this even when the temperature outside is very low.
This produces heating and hot water in a low carbon way, while staying within the limited electrical power available for the site. Combined with solar photovoltaic panels on the development, the site will see a predicted 57% reduction in carbon emissions compared to other developments of a similar size.
Residents are set to benefit with lower energy bills and improved thermal efficiency and comfort.
Councillor Simon Miller, Cabinet Member for Economic Growth and Housing Development for Waltham Forest Council, said: “This kind of innovation is exactly what we want in Waltham Forest to help us tackle the climate emergency, which is a top priority for the council. Over the last 10 years we have already reduced our emissions by 35% boroughwide by working together with our residents and partners so we are well on our way to our goal of reducing emissions 80% by 2050.”