February 2012 sees Dwell moving one step further towards reducing our carbon footprint with a change of energy supplier. 

Monitoring our energy use and implementing strategies for reducing consumption has been an important first step in improving efficiency in our energy policy and is a process we highly recommend to our clients, but like all businesses and homes we need electricity to function.

The switch to Ecotricity’s New Energy Plus tariff now confirms that our quota of electricity consumed within our office, shop and studio has been generated from 100% renewable sources.  Ecotricity’s policy of continual investment in their own generation infrastructure is an example that many other suppliers could learn much from and will help underpin a sustainable future.

Find out more about Ecotricity at their website, and see if the switch suits you.

The project, located close to our studio in Scaynes Hill is, we believe, the first of its type in the UK. Framed with locally-grown FSC-certified oak, the house will realise our client’s long term ambition of a sustainable Wealden Hall House designed to meet the Code for Sustainable Homes Level 5 (CSH Level 6 being the highest attainable).

Featuring amongst other aspects a super-insulated envelope, wood chip boiler system, photovoltaic panels and biodigester package sewerage plant, the scheme for a has received favourable feedback from Mid Sussex Green Party candidate Paul Brown. Mr Brown comments:

“I wish to support this application for an energy efficient Code 5 compliant dwelling on the owners site. I hope that MSDC will see fit to support this development and that it will become the first of many exemplars to builders and developers in Mid Sussex”.

A final decision from the planning department at MSDC is due within the next couple of weeks, and we look forward to receiving news of its approval.

Dwell have been appointed by a long-standing developer client to assist with the construction of two new detached four bedroom homes in Fairlight, East Sussex.

The site has planning consent for the two homes, which is due to expire shortly, so immediate action is required to allow construction work to commence in early August.

Knowing the value Dwell’s team can add to their projects, an immediate review of the consent, site history and approved drawings was commissioned resulting in suggested improvements. By rationalising the plan layouts to increase natural daylight and simplify the build process, savings of both time and money are anticipated. Through negotiation with the planners, it is hoped to improve the external appearance of the units, in turn helping to increase the end values of the homes.

Work is underway to fast-track the construction drawings ready for Building Control approval from one of Dwell’s consultant BCOs.