News / Press
Kingspan TEK Specified for 2008 Carbon Challenge
14 Dec 2007
Kingspan Off-Site, manufacturer of the TEK Building System, has been announced as the main supply chain partner in a project to create England’s first zero carbon community, at Hanham Hall, near Bristol. The project, part of English Partnerships’ Carbon Challenge, will create up to 200 zero carbon homes, designed to meet level 6 of the Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH). The Kingspan TEK Building System will be used by developer Barratt Developments Bristol in the construction of the groundbreaking development, which will offer a mix of affordable and private homes.
Hanham Hall, near Bristol, was the first site identified under the Carbon Challenge, which is being run by English Partnerships as part of the Government’s commitment to tackle climate change. The challenge will deliver the first development of zero carbon homes and communities well in advance of this becoming a mandatory requirement for all new homes in 2016, and help the housebuilding sector demonstrate that the targets are feasible and can be commercially viable.
Kingspan Off-Site is the UK’s largest manufacturer of MMC building systems, and the first company to design and build a house to reach level 6 of the Code for Sustainable Homes with the Kingspan Lighthouse. The Kingspan TEK system will be the key component in Barratt’s supply chain, specified for its excellent thermal performance and minimal wastage.
As well as zero-carbon homes, the project will create eco lifestyles. It will incorporate a listed building dedicated to community use, rainwater capture systems and include sustainable drainage, farmers’ shops, a car club and bicycle storage.
Note to Editors:
Kingspan Off-Site was formed in 2007 following the acquisition of Pace Timber Systems and Potton, which were combined with Kingspan’s existing timber and steel systems divisions, making it the UK’s largest manufacturer of MMC building systems. The creation of the Kingspan Off-Site division has combined the innovative product solutions and extensive technical expertise of both Kingspan’s timber and steel divisions, and has been the final stage in the development of the UK’s first ‘super’ off-site systems provider. Kingspan Off-Site offers a portfolio of building systems, including the SIPs based TEK Building System, the company’s Optima integrated building system, a selection of timber frame systems and a range of steel frame and façade systems.
Hanham Hall is a 6.6 hectare former hospital site near Bristol, incorporating a Grade II listed building. It is anticipated that the site will support up to 200 homes, of which at least a third will be affordable, as well as retail floor space and employment space. The onsite biomass CHP plant will deliver energy to all homes.
The Carbon Challenge is run by English Partnerships on behalf of Communities and Local Government to accelerate the house-building industry’s response to climate change by fast-tracking the creation of several zero carbon housing developments. It will deliver a number of homes in different locations that meet Code for Sustainable Homes Level 6 in a high-quality, sustainable setting.
The key aspirations of the Challenge are to:
- raise environmental standards – development will achieve Level 6 of the Code for Sustainable Homes – zero carbon;
- deliver high-quality design combined with exceptional environmental performance – homes that keep warm in the winter and cool in the summer;
- drive down construction and supply chain costs through economies of scale – while aiming to approach zero carbon;
- incorporate lifestyle features that cut emissions within the community through good designs that encourage behavioural changes in the use of electrical appliances such as televisions and computers, and include changes in transport, waste collection and food delivery; and
- ensure that affordable and low cost homes are included, especially for families.
English Partnerships is the government’s national regeneration agency delivering high quality, sustainable growth in England. We do this by developing our portfolio of strategic projects and acting as the government’s advisor on brownfield land. We also ensure that surplus public sector assets are used to support wider government objectives. English Partnerships helps create communities where people can afford to live and want to live. Information on projects and programmes can be found at www.englishpartnerships.co.uk
English Partnerships and the Housing Corporation are working with the Department for Communities and Local Government to establish the proposed Homes and Communities Agency.
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