Affordable eco has landed

By Heather Rose
Posted: 2009/07/21

EVEN the most seasoned of travellers may be unfamiliar with Kildary in Easter Ross.

Yet this charming hamlet in the north of the country has become the focus of attention for everyone involved with the property market.

For it is here that a new generation of homes is being built within a setting known as Tarbat Park. This is, in fact, Scotland's first development of New Energy Homes, 17 properties that prove eco living - and all its benefi ts - is not the preserve of wealthy homebuyers.

Offi cially launched last month by housing minister Alex Neil, Tarbat Park breaks new ground. For the development's New Energy Homes make use of a new system for general sector house building. It features technology and construction methods which, until now, were only available for one-off architect designed housing.

A concept that has been developed by the Highland Housing Alliance, a not-for-profit development company, standard features of these homes include renewable heat pump technology, underfloor heating, roof insulation, good ventilation and low energy windows.

Built by Tulloch Homes, the houses are among the fi rst in this country to use Scotframe's SupaWall insulation which prevents draughts and helps ensure interior temperatures remain steady. Importantly, too, all 17 homes comply with the new Scottish building standards going forward to 2013. They are also designed to meet the industry standard for ecological design, the level 4-5 of the code for sustainable homes.

Susan Torrance, chief executive of the Highland Housing Alliance, which was set up to build more new affordable and private housing, stated: "Kildary is an opportunity to showcase the concept which is designed and made in Scotland.

"It is cost effective, fast to construct and highly energy effi cient.

"These are some of the fi rst homes in the UK to use the SupaWall timber frame method.

"It uses foam which originates mainly from bio-oil and is as eco friendly as sheep's wool while the external cladding is made of Scottish larch."

The properties will provide comfortable living and help reduce fuel bills.

Susan Torrance added: "We believe energy cost savings will be significant. Launching the New Energy Homes is an important step for the Highlands, Scotland and the UK.

The concept could be adopted by any housebuilder and rolled out across the country."

Tulloch Homes are equally confident this development will be the first of a new generation of housing.

David Sutherland, executive chairman of the Tulloch Homes Group, said: "The product range has the best energy outputs we'v e ever seen in new-build housing. We fi rmly believe that the methods w e have jointly introduced to the NEH project will be adopted in the pri - vate sector, as all the industry move s towards the targets the Highlan d Housing Alliance has set."

Five of the houses at this Easte r Ross development are being made available for low-cost home ownership through the Scottish Govern - ment's LIFT shared equity scheme for first-time buyers.

A two years' free fuel costs pack - age is available with five of the prop - erties and a free fuel costs package i s also on offer to those able to move i n within six weeks of reserving.

An optional Eco Welcome Pac k which includes a fruit tree, wate r butt, raised growing bed, composting bin, seed voucher, laundry pulley, bird-bee-bat box and potato barre l is also available with each house.

Prices at Tarbat Park, Kildary, start at £125,000 for a 2-bedroo m semi-detached bungalow, with a 3-bedroom semi-detached villa a t £140,000 and a 3-bedroom detache d villa at £155,000.

Information: 01463-251132; www.highlandhousingalliance.com