Energy Efficient Design – Rural Exception Site

Nature of Work Undertaken

We were appointed via Broadacres consultants framework to consider a site with a previous failed planning application in Huby. We carried out a feasibility study to ascertain viability based on a rural exception site resulting in a design to provide 12 new homes. Broadacres purchased the land and our services were retained to complete design services up to submission of planning application.

Due to the previous failed application, by others, and the requirement to service local social housing needs we facilitated various design meetings with the client and held pre application meetings with the local planning department resulting in designs to introduce 8 x 2 bed 4 person houses and 4 x 3 bed 5 person houses, along with 2 parking spaces per property and 4 visitor spaces. The designs reflected properties in the surrounding Huby village area in scale and materiality. A new access road was proposed to highways adoptable standards.

The proposed site was off gas and Broadacres design criteria required an energy efficient site without dependence on fossil fuels, therefore our designs were based on high efficiency fabric first approach with air source heat pumps to meet a minimum SAP level A output.

Following planning permission we developed our drawings to enable the procurement of a contractor and our services were novated RIBA 4-7 to the successful contractor, Esh.

The scheme was shortlisted in the ‘Best Housing Development’ category in the Chartered Institute of Housing Northern Awards 2021.

Services Provided

• Architectural Design RIBA 0-3+
• Novated Design Services RIBA 4-6