BULLOCK CONSTRUCTION WINS SECOND CONTRACT FOR SOLAR POWERED AND EARTH SHELTERED HOMES IN SOUTH BIRMINGHAM

June 28 2004

Bournville Village Trust (BVT) has let a £6.3 million contract for a unique housing development in South Birmingham, that will use solar power to heat hot water and will be partly earth sheltered, to building contractor Bullock Construction.

This is the second contract within the first phase of the Shenley development, costing a total of £10.3 million, which started on site in July 2002.

The first contract was completed earlier this year and consisted of 12 bungalows for the elderly, and environmental improvements to the existing shops and a new park. The £4 million contract also included a new state of the art medical centre.

The second contract will consist of 42 flats, bungalows and houses for rent, which will be constructed to maximise sunlight and some will be built into the earth, because of the steeply sloping nature of the site. BVT pioneered solar houses in the UK during the Great Depression, in 1929 and still has the largest solar village in Western Europe, at Rowheath, built in 1985/86.

Alan Shrimpton, Director of Development at Bournville Village Trust said: "The initial construction works within Phase One of the development are already beginning to change the face of the area for the better, and we are delighted to be working with Bullock Construction again on the second contract, which will be very special and provide much needed quality homes for people in need in the City."

John Gaffney, Managing Director of Bullock Construction in the Midlands said: "We are delighted to be continuing work with our valued client, Bournville Village Trust, on this innovative and high quality project."