11:08am Saturday 7th July 2007
By Guide Reporter
AN award-winning firm is aiming to help families find a new eco-friendly home in Prestwich.
Ten new houses costing upwards of £245,000 are set to go on the market later this month, but come with a raft of environmental measures to help save owners thousands of pounds on energy bills.
It is the masterplan of innovative property firm Inspired Developments, which hopes the new community in Heywood Gardens will lead to other neighbourhoods adopting green practices.
The project is set to get the seal of approval from former TV host and environmental enthusiast Michaela Strachan, who became famous for presenting the Really Wild Show and the BAFTA award-winning Elephant Diaries. Michaela will unveil the properties next Thursday. Inspired Developments managing director Ken Whitaker said: "Eco homes don't necessarily mean boring and unattractive boxes. We wanted to offer homehunters the opportunity to live in an attractive yet highly efficient property that would provide a sustainable future for its owners."
Outside, the houses will have either wind turbines to generate electricity or solar panels to heat water, saving up to one-third on energy bills. Water butts will capture rainwater that can then be recycled. The properties will be super insulated and air tight for high-quality insulation.
Inside, there will an air-recycling system which will renew warm, clean air to reduce the need for gas central heating. And when the heating system is switched on, it uses up to a tenth less water than traditional radiators. Those savings are also made in taps and toilets.
The housing scheme has helped the environment in other ways, too. During construction, builders used eco-friendly timber and organic paint and also planted wildlife-friendly fruit trees in the gardens.
Recycling bins will be fitted in all the properties and all most of the leftover builders material will be regenerated.
Inspired Developments was recently crowned Housebuilder of the Year at the Housing Excellence Awards.
Sales and marketing director Denis Maddock said: "We wanted to create a development that would offer unprecedented environmental credentials to home hunters in the Prestwich area."
Bury Council's planning committee gave permission last month for wind turbines to be erected on six of the homes, despite a 24-name petition against the move.
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