Exploring the concept:
In 2021, we were contracted by Innovate UK to explore the market’s appetite for building new homes using the innovative Energiesprong approach.
In order to reach net-zero by 2050, we need to change the way we build new homes.
We are working in partnership with Plymouth City Council to develop community-led, zero-carbon, affordable homes. Our first housing development is on land off Coombe Way, Kings Tamerton, Plymouth.
Our flagship scheme will be the first in England to use the Energiesprong Approach, an innovative approach to deliver high quality net zero homes at lower cost. It will form part of Plymouth City Council's Plan for Homes, and be a part of the City's Climate Emergency Action Plan.
We have received preliminary planning approval (known as reserved matters) for an affordable, community led, zero carbon development of 70 new homes that integrates our net-zero ambitions and wider One Planet Living design principles. We want to create focal community green spaces, with access to surrounding local nature reserves. We are seeking to deliver net gain in biodiversity and provide options for local food growing, as well as sustainable transport options. The development will be split into two phases, as shown in the pictures below, full details of the initial masterplan and the design principles behind it are shown in the links below.
Using the Energiesprong Approach
Our Kings Tamerton project will be the first new-build scheme to use the Energiesprong approach in England, and so we needed to understand whether this was a realistic ambition. The research allowed us to demonstrate that there is significant interest in this approach and has helped us to embed the design, build and guarantee principles that we intend to use within our contracts.
Energiesprong is a straightforward, pragmatic and flexible approach, applicable to a wide range of situations and house types. It is not a commercial product or brand; no company, product, technology or materials are specified, just the outcomes that everyone needs: warm, affordable, desirable, net zero homes. It's previously been widely used to upgrade existing homes.
When we talk about net zero homes, we are using Energiesprong's definition of ‘net zero energy’, meaning a home generates enough energy in a year to meet that required for its heating, hot water and electrical appliances.
Design Competition
To help choose the right team to work with us to design and build the homes to the Energiesprong standards, we secured funds to run an innovative design competition in which three competing teams were tasked to demonstrate how they would innovatively and creatively meet our net-zero requirements.
Over the course of twelve weeks we received detailed submissions from KIN, Classic Builders and TopHat. They each provided unique solutions to the challenge and were supported by our own independent team of energy and housing design experts to help refine these proposals, and then to assess the winner.
KIN
Kin’s scheme altered the original masterplan to reduce the amount of roads on site and to retain more green space. Their design focused on larger blocks of apartments to deliver energy efficiency. They also proposed using Passivhaus certified engineered panel construction for walling, Their scheme proposed air source heat pumps and rooftop solar panels operated through an innovative on-site microgrid and Energy Services Company (ESCO). Their scheme was anticipated to deliver the highest air tightness.
Classic Builders
Classic presented a traditional build approach of block construction, but using high performing recyclable poratherm clay blocks with a very low embodied carbon. In addition they added external insulation, air source heat pumps and rooftop solar panels plus in-house battery storage. Their scheme was anticipated to have very low space heating requirements and keep energy low bills for residents.
TopHat
TopHat produce their homes offsite in their factory and deliver them to site. Their houses would deliver simple open plan layouts. The offsite construction enables better accuracy in construction, less traffic to site and quicker construction speeds. Their designs also utilised air source heat pumps and rooftop solar panels. Each house would also have battery storage. Their scheme was anticipated to provide the largest energy generation surplus.
Project timeline
2021
July 2022
Preliminary Planning Granted
We received preliminary planning approval (known as reserved matters) for an affordable, community led, zero carbon development of 70 new homes that integrates our net-zero ambitions and wider One Planet Living design principles.
The development will be split into two phases, as shown in the pictures below, full details of the initial masterplan and the design principles behind it are shown in the links below.
January 2023
Design Competition
We shortlisted three teams to take part in our design competiton. Over the course of twelve weeks we received detailed submissions from KIN, Classic Builders and TopHat.
April 2023
TopHat appointed for full design
Following the conclusion of the design competition, PEC Homes appointed TopHat as preferred bidder to bring forward the Kings Tamerton site, based on very strong energy performance which easily met our net-zero requirements - and highly competitive costs. TopHat started the process of developing the full scheme design with the goal of applying for a full reserved matters planning application in summer 2023.
2023 onwards
Next Steps
Once the detailed design is finalised, we will take it back to the planning authority for final approval. We hope to offer the community a chance to own the scheme by launching a community share offer. All going well, we will start building in 2023/2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please click on the link below to read our FAQ's which will give you more detail about this housing development. If you still have unanswered questions then please get in touch.
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