Crown Estate appoints firms for three sustainable housing demonstration projects

The Crown Estate has chosen three developers to create separate projects to demosntrate sustainable housing delivery across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Cheshire.

GS8, Igloo Regeneration and Town will aim to achieve sustainability goals, including low carbon emissions, energy efficiency and biodiversity net gain. The Crown Estate hopes these pilot schemes, which include te delivery of 200 homes in total, will inform eco-friendly housing development at scale across the UK.

GS8 will deliver 50 net zero carbon homes in Wootton, Bedfordshire, will pioneer regenerative development principles, a “market leading” approach to carbon reduction as well as creating de-constructable housing units for future reuse.

Meanwhile, south east London based-Town will oversee 80 homes at Westwick Row in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, next to The Crown Estate’s East Hemel site. It will explore alternative housing models, such as intergenerational living and collaborative housing (CH), which allows residents to be involved in development and management decisions.

Igloo, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of fund manager Thriving Investments, part of the Places for People group, will develop 60 homes in Knutsford, Cheshire, with a focus on low-carbon infrastructure delivery and a community-centred approach to design and construction.

Peter Connolly, chief executive at Igloo, said: “As the UK’s first real estate B Corp and having set up the world’s first sustainable real estate fund, igloo is known for leading innovation in the sector to set new standards for people, place and planet.

“We therefore wholeheartedly support the aims of The Crown Estate in embarking on these cutting-edge demonstration projects and are excited to contribute our experience and share learnings that drive forward the transformation of housing development in the UK.”

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Rob Chesworth, head of strategic land at The Crown Estate, said: “The UK’s housing sector desperately needs more innovation if it is to deliver the quality, affordable homes that the current and future UK population needs.

“These housing demonstration projects are an opportunity for us to test innovative approaches to sustainable design and help us understand how to scale up across the country. By partnering with gs8, igloo and TOWN – all of which have proven track records in this space – we are confident that we can play a key role in addressing some of the UK’s significant housing and environmental challenges, while setting new standards for the development of thriving, sustainable communities.”

Programmes of public engagement are underway at Westwick Row and Wootton, and is expected to begin in Knutsford later this year.