120 Pasisvhaus homes unveiled as part of Generation Park Norwich
The £325 million project Generation Park Norwich, is led by NPH (Norwich) LLP, which was founded in 2009 for the sole purpose of delivering a sustainable energy solution for Norwich.
The vision for Generation Park Norwich offers a range of low carbon initiatives on a derelict 30-acres disused Utilities Site near Norwich railway station. It was first earmarked for energy generation from biomass in the City of Norwich Local Plan in 2004. The continuity of planning policy relating to renewable energy was reaffirmed in the latest Norwich Local Plan adopted at the end of last year, December 2014.
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Generation Park Norwich will be a powerhouse of ideas and innovation.Professor Trevor Davies, Project spokesman at NPH Ltd.
The proposals are in the development stage, with a planning application scheduled for summer 2015. If planning permission is granted work could commence in 2016 with a target date for opening the first phase in 2018.
The proposals feature:
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Approximately 120 new Passivhaus homes: including affordable family housing, and student accommodation.
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Community Energy Centre: Fuelled by low carbon straw pellets, sourced from UK farms and delivered to the site by rail, the centre will generate electricity equivalent to the needs of 88,000 homes1. Some electricity will be provided directly to local businesses, the rest will be fed into the National Grid.
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District Heating Scheme: Energy company E.ON would be responsible for the District Heating Scheme The Combined Heat and Power would distribute heat produced by the new Community Energy Centre offering more affordable heating and hot water.
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Energy Research and Development Centre: exploring sustainable energy and more energy efficient practices.
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Education Centre: explaining the way the project generates and uses energy, and the impacts.
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Landscaping & improved access: 11 acres of parkland plus new cycle routes and walkways on the banks of the river Wensum. It would forge the missing link in the existing cycleway and footpath network, with a proposed new crossing over the Norwich to Yarmouth railway line and a new bridge connecting the Utilities Site to the Deal Ground to the south of the river and on to Whitlingham Park.
The proposals were well received at a public consultation at the end of January 2015. Over 200 jobs are expected to be created during construction, with a further 500 jobs once the scheme is complete.
The Scheme would complement the 250 Passivhaus residential development, Carrow Quay, along the river by Broadland Housing Association; firmly placing Norwich as the UK Passivhaus capital!
Similar projects, where cities and communities take greater control over how their energy is generated and how it is consumed, are commonplace in places such as Sweden, frequently listed as one of the world’s greenest countries. The concept could be a model for making British cities equally sustainable by meeting the triple challenge of keeping energy secure, affordable and lower carbon. Jeremy Bungey, Head of Community Energy at E.ON
1 - Based on data published by DECC.
Further Information:
Previous PHT Story – 11 Dec 2014: 250 Riverfront apartments development secures planning approval.
