Wokingham

Teachers in the Wokingham district are being given a step onto the property ladder thanks to Wokingham District Council’s innovative housing scheme which looks set to welcome its first tenants later this year.

Since the first brick was laid in July last year (2006), construction work has been progressing well on the 22 eco-friendly flats at St Crispin’s School in Wokingham and the first tenants may move in as soon as April, at rents some 20 to 25% below market rate.

The Wokingham flats have a range of eco-friendly features and are expected to be the first in the district to achieve an Excellent EcoHomes rating. Working together with Home Group and Denne Construction, this pilot project could mean that Wokingham District Council is one of the first in the country to build much-needed key worker accommodation on surplus school land.

Solar thermal panels have been installed on the roof to provide up to 70% of the hot water needed with energy efficient combination boilers providing the additional hot water and heating. The materials and labour being used during construction of the Wokingham flats have been sourced locally where possible to reduce fuel consumption during transportation to the site.

The apartments have been designed by architects RBA to maximise natural light whilst solar shading will also be provided on the roof to ensure that during the summer months, the flats do not become too hot. The flats have been built using highly insulated timber frame construction and also include timber frame windows, which use less energy in manufacture than UPVC windows. Every flat has access to good storage facilities enabling key workers to recycle household waste and keep a bicycle to encourage more sustainable methods of transport.

And, water butts will be fitted externally (for activities such as watering plants and car washing) to reduce water consumption.

The parking area will be surfaced using a shallow dig construction method to ensure any potential root damage to existing trees is minimised. The surface will also be permeable to allow rainwater to drain back into the aquifers.

Executive member for Wokingham social care services and housing Cllr Pauline Helliar-Symons and James Lovelock, a teacher at Westende Primary School and prospective tenant, visited the site recently to check up on progress. Wokingham Cllr Helliar-Symons said: "I am very excited that work on this innovative scheme is now nearing fruition. Housing for teachers is desperately needed in this area and we need to do all we can to develop schemes that help to recruit and retain high quality teaching staff to maintain the district's excellent education standards."

James, who moved to the area from mid-Wales nearly three years ago, said: "I was really impressed by the size of the flats, particularly for the rent being charged. They will help teachers like me afford to live and work in this high cost area. The solar panels will also make the apartments cheap to run."

Anyone wanting further information should contact Louise Strongitharm, senior Wokingham housing strategy and development officer, on (0118) 974 6779 or louise.strongitharm@wokingham.gov.uk

Wokingham District Council