New eco friendly homes for Northamptonshire village

A Northamptonshire village is celebrating the completion of a much-needed development of six affordable new eco homes.

Villagers in Hannington were joined by land owners Mr and Mrs Clarke, Allan Burridge, chairman of Hannington Parish Council, and representatives from Northamptonshire Rural Housing Association (NRHA) to mark the official launch of the development, off Lime Trees Close.

A total of four houses and one bungalow for rent and one house for shared ownership will provide affordable homes for people who all have a strong connection to the village.

Plans for the new homes were drawn up after Hannington Parish Council recognised that there was a shortage of affordable housing within the village following the completion of their parish plan.

A housing needs survey identified the need for an additional six properties and planning permission for these homes to be built was granted in March 2010.

The new homes have all been built to level 4 of the code for sustainable homes and benefit from energy-saving heating systems which will significantly reduce fuel consumption and help cut tenants’ energy bills.

Features include Air Source Heat Pumps which pump air from outside into the house at the required temperature, under-floor heating on the ground floor and thermostats in every room.

NRHA chairman, David Coren, said: “We are delighted to see the completion of this scheme in Hannington.

“These homes will mean that more local people will be able to stay in the village they grew up in, rather than being forced to move elsewhere.”

The scheme has been part funded by the Homes and Communities Agency, and NHRA worked with a number of partners, including East Midlands Housing Association, artchitects Morton Wykes Kramer, Ridge and Partners, JPP Consulting and Denman and Sons builders, to bring it to fruition.