West Berkshire Council require all new dwellings to be Code Level 3 compliant on construction and Blewburton Limited (BBP) have been involved with a number of projects of this nature, from pre-assessment stage, via Design Stage and consultancy, through to Post Construction Review.
This example features a single four bed dwelling being constructed within the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The developer will live in the home and is well known within the renewable energy world and has decided to include a wood burning boiler, solar water heating and a photovoltaic (PV) array into the design of the house.
As well as undertaking the Code related work, BBP have also undertaken the SAP calculations and using NHER software as a design tool, have advised the developer on how to achieve a ‘carbon neutral’ development with regard to the Building regulations through the utilisation of the technologies listed above. Although only an overall Code Level 3 compliance, this house will achieve a Code Level 5 score for energy use.
On the negative side, the developer has found meeting Code Level 3 compliance for internal water use very challenging and has not felt able to undertake the credits relating to Considerate Constructors due to the ‘NIMBY’ nature of certain neighbours concerning the original planning application.
