A development of 22 new zero carbon homes is setting a fresh standard for future housing in Cheltenham, after plans to build the homes on Kidnappers Lane in Leckhampton were approved in January 2022.
The houses, which will not be connected to the gas grid, will achieve zero carbon status through insultation, air source heat pumps and solar panels.
Any excess renewable energy the homes produce will be fed into the grid, offsetting any carbon used from the electricity network.
Max Wilkinson, Cheltenham Borough Council cabinet member for climate and communities, said: ‘It is very encouraging to see developers coming forward with carbon zero housing developments. We are now seeing the bar for development raised and we would expect other developers to note this and raise standards accordingly.
‘We are investigating tough new development guidance dealing with the climate and nature and there will be more news on this coming soon.’
Newland Homes will start clearing the site in April 2022, with construction set to start in June 2022.
The development follows planning approval for 24 ‘natural living’ carbon neutral council properties in Swindon Road in November 2021, with homes featuring solar panels, green roofs and low carbon construction.
