First Environmentally Friendly Older House To Be Developed in Birmingham
April 17 2007
One of the first environmentally friendly older houses in the UK, which will include a host of low carbon initiatives, will be developed in Birmingham by an internationally famous housing association.
Bournville Village Trust is to convert a 1920’s house in Selly Oak Road, Bournville, South Birmingham into an eco-demonstration house which will showcase the very latest thinking in environmentally-sound modernisation techniques for older houses.
The exhibition home will include Geothermal Ground source Heat pumps with under floor heating, Solar Thermal, Wind Turbine, Solar Photovoltaic, Wall, Cavity & Loft insulation, Natural Light, Sustainable wall boards, Low energy lighting, Water saving devices, Rain water harvesting, Sustainable timbers, ‘Green’ Floor coverings, ‘E’ Glazing and Environmentally friendly kitchen and bathroom fittings.
It is also intended to extend the environmental features to the outside space where it is planned to deliver an organic garden.
Thirty pupils in Year 9 at Kings Norton Girls School will work with Bournville Village Trust to prepare an eco home project which will be displayed in the exhibition house.
British Gas has provided a substantial grant and local manufacturers and suppliers are providing kitchen units and bathroom components. On completion the home will be issued with an ‘EcoHomes’ Certificate from the Government and is expected to be the first house of this type to receive the accreditation.
Initially the house will be on public display for two months, from October this year, as an example of environmental good practice, following which it will be let to a local family. For a period of twelve months, the running cost performance will be monitored for future comparisons.
The eco friendly house is just one of a number of initiatives which Trustees at Birmingham’s oldest landlord has approved as part of an ongoing Environmental Strategy. The Trust, established by George Cadbury in 1900 is making a major commitment to help to reduce carbon emissions throughout the whole organisation.
The organisation has appointed a ‘Green Team’ chaired by the Chief Executive, Peter Roach, to promote and monitor a number of other environmental action points for all 320 staff. These will range from a long list of simple things such as switching off lights and maximising the use of natural daylight as well as emailing documents instead of circulating printed copies.
Other major issues will include reviewing car users’ allowances with a view to providing incentives for staff to use environmentally friendly vehicles. The team‘s list of priorities includes researching a green electricity supply and introducing a green award for staff.
Residents too will be encouraged to join the campaign.
The ‘Green Champions’, one of whom will be based in each office location will be encouraging staff to turn off taps and lights, to walk instead of drive and to encourage greater use of bicycles.
Chief Executive, Peter Roach said: "We all have an important role to play as individuals in helping to reduce the effects of global warming. Climate changes are not going to go away and we need to look at reducing our dependency on non-renewable resources and creating a more sustainable future for us all. Our commitment is evident in that our ‘Green Team’ is chaired from the top.
"Although initially some of these changes appear insignificant, over time they do represent major costs to Bournville Village Trust and to the environment."
Bournville Village Trust will be liaising with ‘green’ organisations such as Friends of the Earth and Richard Baines, Director of Sustainable Development for the Black Country Housing Group for help and advice with this unique project.
