Net zero housing project in Bonnyton, Kilmarnock is building for the future
Work is well underway on East Ayrshire Council’s first net zero housing development at Bellevue Gardens in Kilmarnock.
The homes, which are being built by the Council’s Developer CCG (Scotland) Ltd, include eight 2-bed cottage flats, six 2-bed homes, one 3-bed wheelchair accessible bungalow, two 3-bed homes and one 4-bed home, which have been designed for general and community care needs.
Councillor Douglas Reid, Leader of the Council joined Councillor Jim McMahon, Cabinet Spokesperson for Housing, local members Councillors James Adams and Lillian Jones; Nan Tipping and Rene Skilling from Bonnyton Community Council, Chief Executive Eddie Fraser and Blair Millar, Head of Housing and Communities to view the progress on site and hear more about the build from Chris Murray from CCG.
The net zero homes, designed in partnership with CCG and MAST architects, embrace new technology and are the future of house building in Scotland. Net zero will be achieved through a combination of enhanced building fabric like thicker insulation and triple-glazed windows that will reduce heat loss. The homes will be fitted with air source heat pumps and an advanced ventilation system to promote clear air-flow.
Councillor McMahon said: “I was very pleased to visit the site in Bonnyton, view the progress and hear more about our first net zero project. Net zero means that carbon emissions associated with regulated operational energy will be equal to zero. As part of our Climate Change Strategy, the Council has committed to move away from installing gas-heating systems and this project will be the first build to have air source heat pumps installed. All the homes will have solar panels installed on their roofs and will insulated to the highest standard.
“These homes are going to be life changing for local residents. They will help to tackle fuel poverty through their clever design and provide freedom for those with community care needs. Bonnyton is a warm and welcoming community and I know, from talking to Nan and Rene that our tenants will quickly become part of the community.”
CCG Managing Director, David Wylie, said: “Since 2017, CCG and East Ayrshire Council have successfully delivered over 200 affordable homes across the region. Working collaboratively with our partners, we developed the ‘East Ayrshire’ design standard; creating homes that focus on quality, energy performance, and the needs of the tenant at every opportunity, and now, with the commencement of construction at Bellevue Gardens, we have reached an important milestone in the evolution of house building within the local authority area.
“Scotland’s net zero future is coming and it is a testament to the Council that they are taking the necessary steps forward now. We are privileged that they chose CCG and our ‘Net Zero Home’ build standard and we will proudly deliver East Ayrshire’s first-ever zero homes in the heart of Kilmarnock.”
The project is being developed with £1.288m of grant funding from the Scottish Government and will contribute to their target of delivering 110,000 affordable homes by 2032.
Notes to editors
Background information
Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHP) will be stored externally. The ASHP absorbs heat from the outside air into a liquid refrigerant at a low temperature. Using electricity, the pump compresses the liquid to increase its temperature. It then condenses back into a liquid to release its stored heat. Heat is sent to conventional heating systems, like radiators and will feed instantaneous sources of hot water.