Work has started on a new development to provide 17 new energy-efficient and affordable homes in Godalming.
The homes, at Ockford Ridge, are the latest phase in Waverley Borough Council’s multi-million-pound regeneration project. The council is redeveloping and remodelling existing houses on the site, to create high-quality, modern homes that are fit for the future.
The development is being built by contractor, Thakeham Partnerships and demonstrating the council’s pledge on carbon neutrality, has a long list of energy efficient innovations.
The homes, sited in the newly re-named Laurel Close, will feature solar panels to generate electricity and reduce heating and lighting bills; waste heat recovery from the boiler flues and high specification glazing to reduce heat losses through the glass.
Thicker ground slab insulation and wall insulation has also been added along with modern methods of timber-framed construction.
Across the site, gardens will include pollinator fruit trees and sensitive carbon-absorbing soft landscaping, making maximum use of low-carbon hard landscaping materials.
Electrical vehicle charging points will be provided in many of the new homes, as will built-in swift bricks, bat boxes and hedgehog holes in fencing to allow their free movement to support wildlife on Ockford Ridge.
Leader of the council and local ward councillor, Cllr Paul Follows along with senior council officers joined Thakeham senior management on site to celebrate the new start.
Waverley’s new Mayor, Councillor John Robini, also joined them to view the latest site along with other completed projects on the estate.
Cllr Robini said: “I’m looking forward to seeing these new homes literally rise from the ground. There will be 17 spacious, attractive and affordable homes, built to the highest current standards. I am also excited because this scheme starts to translate our Carbon Neutrality Action Plan into actual houses, by creating energy efficient, low carbon homes for the future.
“All-in-all, a fantastic development, we think, and a massive step forward from the homes built here 85 years ago.”
The council’s innovative community benefit programme will continue to run in tandem with the building of new homes. This sees the council, contractors and the local community work together to create a really sustainable legacy for the community. Current projects include further enhancing biodiversity by supporting the town council’s re-wilding of Eashing Cemetery, sponsoring mentoring at Rodborough School and financially supporting the excellent work of local Godalming skills and employment support charity, Skillways.