The names of the first two Passivhaus communities being built by City of York Council have been announced, as work gets underway on the 60% affordable homes on the second zero-carbon site.
The first of the council’s sites will be known as Duncombe Square. The second, where work has now begun, will be Burnholme Green.
Duncombe Square’s name celebrates the generous green space at the heart of this new community, and remembers the site’s former use as a Ministry of Defence training ground.
Burnholme Green reflects the homes’ sustainability, their new private gardens, shared open space and green ginnels. This site is on the grounds of a former school whose playing fields are now used by the community. Work to clear and level Burnholme Green began last year and work to build the foundations for the 78 new homes starts this month.
The total 112 homes on both sites will be 60% affordable and Passivhaus-certified. They will be zero-carbon in operation, use very little energy to keep warm and comfortable, and are highly-sustainable with timber frames.
The homes’ design began with residents inputting their ideas which were realised by Stirling Prize-winning architects Mikhail Riches. The sites have won a number of awards including the Housing Design Awards 2022 and the RTPI Planning Excellence Awards 2022.
Councillor Denise Craghill, executive member for housing, said:
“These names reflect the vision of our Housing Delivery Programme: pushing the boundaries of traditional house building while addressing climate change, reducing energy bills, optimising space and creating whole sites which support sustainable living, sociability and a sense of community.
“I’m delighted that work on these 112 new Passivhaus homes is well underway and that 60% will be affordable with a mix of shared ownership and social rent.”
The first Passivhaus homes will be available for sale later this year. You can find out more about the Housing Delivery Programme at: www.york.gov.uk/