Scheme Summary
The development comprises 24 houses, four 3 bedroom and eight 2 bedroom, built on the site of a former sewage treatment plant for the village. The houses were completed in 1999 and let on assured tenancies to local families. The houses were developed in partnership with Uttlesford District Council and funded by grant from the Housing Corporation.

Scheme details
The houses were built to demonstrate that environmental issues could be addressed in a mainstream housing project. Consideration was given to reducing the environmental impact of the property within social housing cost constraints, and using technology which did not require active intervention by the occupier on a daily basis.

Particular consideration was given to water conservation measures and a monitoring programme was set up in conjunction with the local Water Company.

Environmental Features
The design achieved the BRE's Environmental Standard Award (now EcoHomes). The design was assessed against a series of environmental impacts looking at global, local and indoor issues. The award is achieved by obtaining credits for particular design features. The following credits were awarded.

Timber frame construction was used with cellulose insulation (recycled paper) to the walls and roof. The average NHER score was 9 with SAP ratings of 88 to 93 across the range of house types. Passive stack ventilation was used in all of the houses.

Water Conservation
All the houses were fitted with low volume flush WCs to meet the Environmental Standard. In most properties these were 6 litre design, but with the permission of the Water Company and the Department of the Environment Transport and Regions, four houses were fitted with either 4 litre flush WCs or dual flush 2-6 litre models. Showers were fitted over baths. Water butts were provided externally for garden use or car washing.

The monitoring programme with the local Water Company was designed to establish the pattern of water consumption within the houses. Every water outlet (tap, WC, washing machine feed etc.) was separately metered. The data from the meters is downloaded via a modem and analysed by the Water Company. The data will provide a detailed picture of household water use, including the different uses of hot and cold water.

Costs
The overall cost of the 24 houses was £680,000, about £57,000 per house. The extra over cost of the environmental features was about £1,000 per house, but only part of this relates to achieving the Environmental Standard.

Developer's Comments
The 24 houses at Alsa Leys, Elsenham, demonstrate that environmental features can easily be incorporated into mainstream housing without incurring substantial costs or using complicated technology. Preliminary results from the monitoring of the water consumption indicate that, overall, household use may be lower than expected. The use of low volume flush WCs can have a significant impact in reducing consumption. Savings available from this cost effective technology will have an impact on the cost effectiveness of water recycling systems.

Contact: Jenny Wain, Director of Baker Homes, Hastoe Housing Association, Harlequin House, 7 High Street, Teddington, Middlesex TW11 8EE
Tel: 020 8943 0429 Fax: 020 8943 2163
Email: jwain@bakerstimber.co.uk