Hightown recently welcomed Energy Secretary, Ed Miliband, for a tour of the new Beaumont Manor development in Hemel Hempstead, ahead of the Government’s announcement that the “vast majority” of new homes in England will be required to have solar panels installed.
Phase 1 of Beaumont Manor is a 276-home mixed tenure site currently being developed by Vistry Group on land acquired by Homes England. Hightown has secured 97 affordable homes on the site through a Section 106 agreement - 73 for affordable rent and 24 for shared ownership.
The properties have been designed using modern methods of construction to provide high levels of energy efficiency. Most homes on the site have photo voltaic panels (solar) on the roof, helping reduce carbon dioxide and other harmful emissions and lowering electricity costs for residents. All the flats within the development and some houses have EV charging points.
Mr Miliband was accompanied on a tour of the site by Hightown Chief Executive Maxine Espley and Director of Development Andrew Royall, alongside Verity Macey, Managing Director, Vistry Central Home Counties and Jack Brayshaw, Vistry Group’s Head of Technical Innovation.
The visit was followed by news that the Future Homes Standard – set to be published in autumn – will require developers to add solar panels to new builds unless the buildings fall under certain exemptions such as being covered by shade, as part of wider plans for improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions.
Maxine Espley commented:
“Decarbonising the nation’s homes – including social homes – is key to achieving net zero emissions, so along with our partners from Vistry Group, we were delighted to welcome Mr Miliband to Beaumont Manor to see this in action.
“Building sustainable homes is already a core ambition of Hightown’s development strategy – in fact, all the new developments we have approved in the past six months will have low carbon heating and hot water systems installed. We therefore welcome any new requirements under the Future Homes Standard to make social housing not only sustainable but more energy efficient and affordable to run. With solar panels estimated to save a typical household over £600 a year*, it’s positive news for low-income families.”
Hightown has already taken handover of 70 of the 97 affordable homes at Beaumont Manor, with the remainder expected to be handed over in the coming months.
