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Smarter than your average bungalow

Bungalows. Not usually a subject you would rush to write home about, but this week saw the start of a cutting-edge bungalow scheme with a difference.

In a small village in Derbyshire – North Wingfield to be precise – LHA-ASRA’s latest development is leading the way in sustainable living for the over 55s, and we were very excited to see the diggers get underway to start turning our vision into reality.

It will be the first bungalow scheme in the east midlands to use a biomass heating system and one of the first of its kind nationally to meet level four of the Government’s rigorous Code for Sustainable Homes. The 33 affordable homes are being built on disused land in the village.

The state-of-the-art renewable heating system will not only reduce carbon emissions but will cut the cost of fuel bills for our future residents – something that I think is important in all our homes but particularly for older people. What’s more, the wood chips used to power the biomass boiler will all be sourced from a local farm, to keep road miles to a minimum.

All the homes will meet the Lifetime Homes Standard allowing people to live independently in their own homes for as long as possible. They will all have an internal recharging station to power-up residents’ scooters, and two will be built to full wheelchair mobility standard with car ports. One of the larger bungalows will be a four-bedroom learning disabilities unit for three young people and a support worker.

It will be managed directly by Derbyshire County Council’s Learning Disability Services. LHA-ASRA has been working with the young people and their families over the designs for this home, so we are confident it will fully meet their requirements and provide them with a contemporary yet functional place to live. This scheme is an example of true partnership.

Working hand-in-hand with the local authority and the contractors means these cutting-edge homes will meet a real need for the people of North Wingfield for years to come. Now I’m looking forward to seeing the first people move in.

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