A development of 650 homes in Buckinghamshire will have its own renewable energy park.
The Arnold White Group’s new, operationally net zero carbon scheme at Littleton Green, to the north-west of Waddesdon, will have a wind turbine and an area of solar panels which will power the entire development, including an area of 18 EV charging points.
And the group says there would be enough surplus energy to power the annual energy needs of 2,775 average Buckinghamshire households
As well as the homes, which will be built in a gradual, phased programme, the development will include a hotel, care home and 51 hectares of parkland, woodland and open space.
The proposals also commit to including ground source heat pumps throughout the entire scheme via an onsite heating network. A new road is included in the plan which would form the first phase of a future A41 bypass.
Arnold White Group chief executive Bob Williams said: “We are facing a global climate crisis and the UK committed to be carbon neutral by 2050.
“Buckinghamshire Council has also pledged to become carbon neutral by 2050, with a target to reduce emissions by at least 75 per cent by 2030. To achieve these targets, locally and nationally, we need to take positive action right now and make some real changes to how we live.
“We are pleased to share our plans for Littleton Green, which not only support the national drive to reduce carbon, but also demonstrate our commitment to increase the domestic provision of renewable energy, at a time when it has never been more important to contribute to the energy security and ultimate independence of our country.”
The project team includes Arrow Planning, leading as planning consultant, Lichfields as environmental and socio-economic consultant, Chess Engage as engagement specialist and Stuart Michael Associates as civil engineering consultant.
Mark Schmull, managing director of Arrow Planning, said he is not aware of any other schemes with a similar kind of renewable energy park.
He said: “Some I have seen have proposed solar alongside housing, but that is a larger land take and doesn’t create as much energy. We’ve taken the approach to have wind and solar, as the wind produces a significantly greater amount of energy.
“The strategic energy approach is, in my view, a better way forward for large schemes. It provides a wider solution that has the potential to benefit both existing and future residents – the Government’s recent energy security strategy referred to consulting on developing partnerships with supportive communities who wish to host new onshore wind infrastructure in return for guaranteed lower energy bills.
“Once the legislation is in place, schemes like this could benefit existing and future communities which the ‘standard’ approach (eg air source heat pumps on individual dwellings) would not be able to.
“It has the potential to create a sense of ownership and pride – people who are invested in being more sustainable will likely connect with the turbine being a landmark within the development.”
Consultation will take place during May.
Visit http://www.littleton.green/
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