Sun Shines for Green Homes - Press Release 10 July 2008

Press release from The Environment Trust and Sheffield City Council
10 July 2008

SUN SHINES FOR GREEN HOMES
No shortage of mortgages for affordable housing

Non-profit developer, The Environment Trust (‘Trust’) is celebrating the installation of two kinds of solar power at their Green Homes development in Norfolk Park at an open day this Saturday 12th July between 10am and 5pm.
The low cost ownership development, which faces the tram route on Park Grange Road is rapidly heading for completion, with the first phase of 14 apartments shortly ready for occupation. The roof of our Green Homes has 2 kinds of solar power technology - solar thermal panels to heat water for use in the apartment and photovoltaic panels to produce electricity.
The Green Homes have a host of environment friendly features, from super insulation and individual radiator controls to save on fuel use, to water butts to capture rainwater and spray taps to reduce consumption. With average annual household fuel bills set to top £1,000, these features will mean huge savings for our Green Home residents. Mortgage providers, like the Ecology Building Society have recognised the lower risk of default by Green Homes purchaser as a result of their ‘eco-nomic’ measures and the buyers have found getting mortgages straightforward even in the present climate.
Councillor Bob McCann, Cabinet Member for Housing, and Safer, Sustainable Communities said: “"These homes are a great example of how going green can save residents money as well as helping to reduce Sheffield's carbon footprint and protect the global environment. Local residents have been involved all the way through the process to help us make this the best possible scheme."
Says Jon Aldenton of the Trust:
“We are looking forward to seeing people at our showflat on the corner of Guildford Avenue and Park Grange Road, and showing prospective buyers just how environment friendly housing can be”
A result of the successful partnership between the Environment Trust, Sheffield City Council and Transform South Yorkshire, the scheme is part of the ongoing transformation at Norfolk Park, one of the UK’s largest regeneration projects. For more information go to www.sheffield.gov.uk/norfolkpark


For more information, please contact Jon Aldenton or Natalie Chow of The Environment Trust on 0207 2644660 and 0207 2644666 respectively.

Or you can contact Claire Turner / Alyson Koe, Sheffield City Council Communications Service on 077646 59181 or 0114 273 6934 or email Claire.turner@sheffield.gov.uk / alyson.koe@sheffield.gov.uk. For out of hours enquiries please ring 07711 153995.
For further Communications Service contact details see http://sccplugins.sheffield.gov.uk/press/news/contacts.htm