Affordable eco–homes 'to inspire others'

The first fruits of former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott's �60,000 house challenge are starting to pop up across the UK. Among the first schemes to be built as part of the 'Design for Manufacture' competition is George Wimpey's 145-home development at Oxley Woods, Milton Keynes, designed by renowned architects Rogers Stirk and Harbour, formerly the Richard Rogers Partnership.

The new homes feature cutting edge designs which will set them apart from traditional houses and lay down a template for other builders of affordable homes to follow.

The properties have been constructed from sustainable materials and employ unique features including an ‘EcoHat’ – allowing hot air to be reused to optimise energy consumption and provide passive solar water heating – as well as exceptional layouts to maximise space and light.

All of the homes on the site have been designed to meet the Government’s sustainability targets through using high levels of insulation and controlled ventilation in a bid to reduce carbon emissions.

Through concepts applied by both RSHP and George Wimpey, each property will also achieve the maximum National Home Energy Rating – a measure of heating, lighting and appliances.

Graeme Dodds, divisional managing director at George Wimpey, said: “Climate change is high on the agenda and developers in the UK need to start playing their part and making tangible contributions to eco housing.

“The ongoing focus on the environment will not only impact on building policy, but also on the lives of consumers. We are extremely proud of Oxley Woods, which has allowed us to offer greater choice for the eco-conscious customer.”

The homes at Oxley Woods - which some have described as 'flat-pack' - have been precision engineered off-site to allow each house to be quickly and economically erected while maintaining build quality.