18 Certified Passivhaus homes in Dartmoor National Park

Local residents occupy 18 new Passivhaus homes in the village of Christow, in Dartmoor National Park. The Passivhaus scheme was designed by Mitchell Architects, built by Pearce Construction, and completed in August 2016.

The project has been led by the Christow Community Land Trust (CCLT), a voluntary collection of villagers, in partnership with local affordable housing provider, Teign Housing. The land was donated for £1 by Teignbridge District Council. Dartmoor National Park Authority supported the CLT through the planning process. This was the first Passivhaus project for the contractors and the client and provided a challenge to produce a quality product which met the requirements for Passivhaus.

Christow housing_Mitchell architects

The 18 affordable dwellings comprise of two, three, and four bedroom houses & bungalows. 14 are available to rent as affordable housing and 4 have been sold on the open market. The timber framed homes have large window overhangs and solar thermal hot water. Annual heating and hot water bills are expected to be less than £100 per year.

This development has so many positives. It provides affordable housing to local people, tackles issues of fuel poverty faced by many living in rural locations and the project has been driven by the local community based on their needs. It has been an exciting project to be part of and we hope that the homes will benefit the village for many years to come.

Stephen Purser, Teign Housing’s Chair of the Board

Certification was awarded in November 2016 with most units meeting full classic Passivhaus Standard, along with 4 dwellings meeting the PHI Low Energy Standard.

Christow Housing, Dartmoor National Park

All image credits: Mitchell Architects

The Passivhaus standard was adopted at the request of the Client (Teign Housing) to demonstrate their commitment to a contemporary design approach informed by high energy saving credentials. The planners were keen to see quality houses which were energy efficient and cost effective to run for residents. All the units are affordable units or open market homes offered at a reduced market value. Main challenges at the outset were to design a scheme which met the aspirations of the local community of Christow, be sympathetic to its greenfield setting and to respond to the requirement to provide energy efficient affordable housing in a rural settlement.

Cath Atkins, Mitchell Architects