The Larkfleet Group (www.LarkfleetGroup.co.uk) has applied for planning permission to build just part of a house on land adjacent to its headquarters in Bourne, Lincolnshire, near Peterborough.

The timber-framed building will be a three-bedroom house built to the requirements of Level 3 and Level 4 of the government's Code for Sustainable Homes. Key parts of the structure will be left unfinished to show how it is possible to combine different building techniques and technologies to meet demanding environmental standards without excessive cost.

Parts of the internal walls, some of the floors and ceilings and other parts of the building will be omitted so that visitors can see how a timber frame house is put together and the way insulation is installed. The house will also be fitted with water-saving and energy-saving technologies such as rain water harvesting ground, source heat pumps and solar panels.

Government regulations mean that all new houses being built for local councils and housing associations must now meet Level 3 of the Code for Sustainable Homes - standards which make the homes cheaper to run and reduce their impact on the environment.

Larkfleet intends to use the part-built home as a working demonstration unit to which it will invite housing association operatives, architects, local authority personnel and other professionals.

Larkfleet managing director Karl Hick said: "Housing associations and developers are being set increasingly tough challenges to meet new environmental standards. They will soon have to build to Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes but many have not yet even built homes to Level 3.

"We aim to use this unique building to show them how they can meet these present and future challenges."

Two companies in the Larkfleet Group will have a major role in building the demonstration house - building contractor FE Peacock will have overall responsibility for construction and the timber frames will be supplied by Kestrel Timber Frames. Construction materials, including timber from sustainable sources, will be supplied by associated company Deepings Trading Company.

FE Peacock specialises in building homes for housing associations and Kestrel Timber Frames has recently been set up by Larkfleet Group specifically to produce timber house frames. Building with timber frames is key to economically meeting the demands of the Code for Sustainable Homes - Larkfleet believes it is impossible to meet even Level 3 requirements at an economical price with traditional building methods and materials.

If planning permission is granted by South Kesteven District Council the demonstration house could be ready for use later this year.

Karl Hick added: "Another advantage of timber frame houses is the speed with which they can be built. We shall spend more time in planning the demonstration house than in building it - once we start on site it can be finished in a matter of days."

Materials and labour for the project are being supplied free of charge from many local companies including C & G Mortar and Chris Morse Brickwork. Larkfleet Group would like to thank them and any other organisations for their help in this project..
 

Email: chloes@smye-holland.com