Social scheme finds value in passive
With social housing tenants let down by substandard energy efficiency requirements under UK building regulations, some switched-on housing associations are taking matters into their own hands and building to the passive house standard. Broadland’s first certified passive scheme in Norfolk is a significant step on one association’s journey towards social housing fit for the 21st century. Words: Lenny Antonelli We tend to think the worst examples of social housing — decaying tower blocks, huge isolated estates — are from the past. But just how good is the social housing we’re building today? Energy consultant Andrew Fisher says because budgets for social housing projects are typically low, corners are often cut. "Typically social housing is deemed to be 'house bashing' with little need [for] skill and finesse," he says.
"It typically seems to be done at such a low cost — because there's very little money — that quality slips.” This means the cheapest materials are chosen, and the price paid to subcontractors is pushed down. Fisher played a big role in the construction of a four-unit passive social housing development in the village of Fulmodeston, Norfolk, in his previous role as sustainability manager at
contractor Lovell. He has since left to start his own consultancy, AMF Consulting. He says that passive house, “forces trades to do the job correctly, and this was evident at Fulmodeston by the result.” The scheme was developed by the Broadland Housing Group, who were gifted the site by local landowner Lord Hastings. North Norfolk