Leading sustainable developer, Citu, has started construction on a 51-unit MMC scheme of low-energy homes designed using the Passivhaus Principles in Kirkstall, Leeds.
The development, with a GDV of £16million, is set on a brownfield site and is being funded by Close Brothers Property Finance, part of the FTSE 250 Close Brothers Group plc, which is a committed supporter of sustainable residential development.
The development has an expected 18-month build schedule, with the first homes available for occupation at the end of 2023. The modular closed timber frame panels are designed in-house and manufactured in the Citu factory, located close to the site. Operating a vertically integrated delivery model focuses on the reduction of embodied carbon and is designed to dramatically reduce operational carbon for incoming homeowners.
The properties are designed to Passivhaus standards using the Passivhaus planning package (PHPP). The homes will incorporate air source heat pumps and use Mechanical Heat Recovery Ventilation (MHRV) units to regulate the internal air quality and temperature. The MHRV units, combined with the high levels of insulation, mean that the energy required for heating is around five times lower than the average UK house. The use of 100% on and off-site renewable electricity, as opposed to gas, significantly reduces the carbon footprint, whilst also equating to lower bills than the average home. The development will be set up as a Community Interest Company (CIC) and have a solar array, which will be co-owned by all of the residents and will provide a source of clean, renewable energy on-site.
Jonathan Wilson, managing director at Citu, said: "Our partnership with Close Brothers has enabled our business, and the communities we are building, to grow. We are excited to collaborate on this latest venture in Kirkstall and deliver places and homes with purpose that give equal priority to people, nature and high standards of living."
Daniel Joyce, director at Close Brothers Property Finance, commented: "Building sustainable housing has never been more important and we are committed to funding future-proofed homes, which are designed to reduce their carbon footprint as well as energy usage. We have a strong track record of supporting low-carbon developments in the UK and working with the very best developers in the industry to move MMC and passive housing from being a one-off bespoke design model, to a reality for everyday homeowners. Developers such as Citu are leading this charge, we're proud to be supporting them on their journey and look forward to continuing to work with them."
Original source: https://www.offsite-now.com
