Nimmings Farm, Northfield

Project: Nimmings Farm, Groveley Park

Client: WM Housing Group, with additional funding from HCA

Project value: £4.5 million 

Lovell built two of the region’s most environmentally friendly homes during the final phase of a 172 home development at Groveley Park in Northfield, Birmingham. The homes, built on the former Nimmings Farm Estate, reach Level 6 of the Code for Sustainable Homes.

The West Midlands’ first affordable zero-carbon homes to be completed with Homes & Communities Agency (HCA) funding have a host of eco features. They will save energy thanks to photovoltaic panels which generate electricity, rainwater recycling for flushing toilets, mechanical ventilation which recycles waste heat from kitchen and bathroom areas, eco-efficient boilers which recycle exhaust heat and improved insulation.

It is estimated that the Code Level 6 properties will generate a saving of £428 per year, according to a National Home Energy Rating.

This phase of the project offers 48 affordable homes in all, which are for affordable rent and shared ownership on a part-rent, part-buy basis.  The remaining 46 properties also have environmentally-friendly features such as high-performance gas boilers, which provide heat depending on the weather conditions, and solar water heating panels. Two of these homes reach CSH Level 4 and the remaining 44 reach CSH Level 3.

The final phase of the regeneration project is being built on a 1.1 hectare site, which was purchased from Birmingham City Council when it was made available following the demolition of outdated council homes in the shadow of the former Rover factory at Longbridge. The new homes are part of a wider £1billion regeneration of Longbridge which involves more than 400 acres of land set to be transformed on the site of the former MG Rover works.

“The standard of the home is amazing. I never thought I would have a home like this. The eco measures mean that I will be able to recycle water and heat, and there are fresh air vents so there is fresh air circulated in the house which is healthier. All the appliances in my kitchen are A-grade which is more economical. It’s estimated that my energy bills will be around £90 for electricity and £180 for gas per year.”

Kerry Johnson, who has moved into one of the homes

“These first two zero carbon homes in the West Midlands using an HCA grant are a great example of the future of affordable housing. Not only are we providing high quality housing for residents but we have shown that there are many innovative ways that we can help residents save money and improve their quality of life.”

Nick Edge, Development Project Manager at WM Housing Group

 “It has been a real pleasure to be involved in this project, in which we have used innovative technologies and bold thinking to make these two homes the first in the region to reach this level of sustainability. The exciting thing is that they look very much like traditional homes, which proves that using this kind of technology doesn’t have to mean compromising on how a house looks.”