MP opens new energy efficient homes

Durrell Place openingResidents of eleven new homes were delighted when their development of brand new, highly energy efficient homes in Rainham were formally opened by their local councillor and local MP Rehman Chishti. 

Councillor Chishti planted a tree to mark the opening of the new properties named Durrell Place, which is situated off Maidstone Road, Rainham. The ceremony was attended by residents of the new development, representatives of mhs homes, Chief Executive Ashley Hook; local Councillors Mike O’Brien and Barry Kemp and the Mayor of Medway Cllr Ted Baker and his wife Sylvia Baker.

The new properties, a mixture of bungalows and 2 & 3 bedroom houses were built on a formerly derelict infill site which was previously occupied by the Marlborough Centre, with a host of previous uses including a nursery and a canteen.

The properties were built by the Chartway Group. Ian Savage, Director of Chartway said, “The new homes are built to code level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes and full Lifetime Homes criteria which means that they are built to an extremely high standard of energy efficiency. The design of the buildings incorporates cedar cladding and a highly insulated sustainable timber frame construction to hold in heat.”

Ashley Hook, Chief Executive of mhs homes said, ”Residents will benefit from cost savings in their energy bills due to extra insulation and the incorporation of photovoltaic panels on the roof. These solar panels generate cheaper, green electricity from sunlight.  The cells convert the sunlight into electricity, which can be used to run household appliances and lighting and any surplus electricity is fed back to the national grid.”

Councillor Howard Doe,  Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Services at Medway Council said, “As well as providing more new homes for people in housing need, this is a first class development which is also an architectural contribution to the area.”

(September 2011)