Plans approved to construct 99 zero-carbon homes in Winsford

Plans for a new 99-home scheme in Winsford, Cheshire, have been approved.

Equans will deliver the in-use zero-carbon, future homes standard, high quality development of family homes.

The Cheshire site benefits from being in a highly sustainable location, and homes will be delivered with high environmental credentials and energy efficiency in mind with the scheme designed to meet zero carbon status, said Equans.

The scheme, dubbed ‘Phoenix’ due to its previous use as the Phoenix House depot, will be undertaken with Equans as the lead contractor, in partnership with Cheshire West and Chester Council, and Torus.

The redevelopment of the former highways depot site will see a brownfield site next to the town centre transformed, providing a broad choice of design and tenure units in the Winsford area.

A new pedestrian and cycle access onto Weaver Street will enhance the connectivity and legibility of the development, encouraging sustainable travel.

Recognising both the climate emergency and cost of living crisis, the development will also provide in-use zero-carbon housing to future homes standard.

This means that the new homes will not be connected to the gas network, and would, instead, be equipped with energy-efficient insulation and heated by a low carbon heating source, such as an air source heat pump, together with solar PV panels.

This builds on Equans’ presence in the area, with the low carbon regeneration specialist already working on two low carbon housing developments in Winsford.

One of these, Wharton Green, is seeing 138 two-, three- and four-bedroom units constructed along with improvements to local highway infrastructure and a community open space. Five of these homes are set to be zero-carbon, a pilot which Equans will roll out across all 99 homes on the Phoenix scheme.

Steven Gregory, regional director at Equans, said: “We’re delighted to have been awarded planning permission for this scheme, a first of its kind for us containing 100% in-use zero-carbon homes. I’m really pleased to see us continue our good work in the Winsford area, helping the council meet their sustainability targets.”