New eco housing development takes flight

Falcon Rural Housing’s latest new build development brought a whole host of challenges, not least because it is set within a national park

But the organisation has overcome all of the tests that it faced to unveil nine properties at Church Hill, Exford, aimed at meeting local housing need in an area where most of the homes remain out of the reach of many local people.

Set on the hill enjoying outstanding views of the surrounding countryside, homes feature innovative energy saving technology including a bore hole, from which water is drawn and treated. The bungalows have walls constructed from ‘Hemp Crete’ which has excellent insulation properties and central heating powered by a multi fuel stove, as well as solar panels to warm the domestic water and stove. The flats also have solar panels and benefit from a ground source heat supply which provides constant under floor heating.

The properties not only have high energy performance ratings, the running costs for the tenants and the environmental impact will also be low.

Sam Southam the general manager of Falcon Housing said: “This is our first development in the Exmoor National Park since the Local Plan was adopted in March 2005; it has been a challenging experience to meet all the local planning restrictions, and comply with the codes for sustainable homes who set the standard by which affordable housing providers prove their environmental performance. W e have worked well with partners including the Exford Parish Council, West Somerset Council, Environment A gency, local police and residents to ensure these homes are environmentally friendly, and a safe place to live.”

The properties were unveiled at an Open Day when local residents and children from the E xford First School were given a tour of the development together with an explanation of the technology used. PC Charlie Fitzpatrick the police crime prevention design advisor also attended to present a ‘Secured By Design’ award.

Fitzpatrick said: “Secured By Design is the UK Police flagship initiative supporting the principles of “designing out crime” through the use of effective crime prevention and security standards; it is owned by the Association of Chief Police Officers and supported by the Home Office and the Local Planning Authorities across the U K. The Secured By Design award is a certificate given to developments following approval by a police crime prevention design advisor and is presented when a development conforms to the appropriate guidelines, so reducing the opportunity for crime and anti social behaviour and also the fear of crime. The police crime prevention design advisor can also offer advice on any alternative or additional site specific requirements for residents or businesses.”

Peter Hendry from Exford Parish Council added: “After much deliberation and hard work from everyone involved, we finally have an end product, something the whole community can be proud of. From when the need for affordable housing was clearly evident, and following meetings with Falcon and the local housing enabler, the parish council set about a plan to find a suitable site at Exford.

“After several sites were identified, Westcott Mead was made available to our community. N ow we can all look forward to answering those needs that were identified all those years ago, and provide the village with what is seen by many as a superb environmentally committed project, carefully thought out by all those concerned and finished to a very high standard of craftsmanship. This is not just another housing development, but one that sends out a clear message to other Exmoor communities, that by all partners, parks, councils, housing agencies and parishioners working together, we can achieve not just affordable housing, but more importantly housing that is affordable to run, something that in this current economic climate, concerns us all.

All members of Exford Parish Council I’m sure will endorse with me the commitment made by the team at Falcon Housing led by Sam Southam, the craftsmanship of the builders, and all other tradesmen that oversaw this project, and the neighbours who had to witness all the commotion, a big thank you from the people of Exford.”