NET ZERO COMMUNITY HUB IN ROSS ON WYE NOW OPEN

The Edenstone Group invited Deputy Mayor of Ross on Wye, Councillor Bev Pope to cut the ribbon at a ceremony attended by residents of St Mary’s Garden Village development.

The net-zero community hub is designed to generate more renewable energy than it consumes, helping to decarbonise the Ross on Wye community.

The gas-free property includes infrared panel heaters and a smart control system. Features include 14 PV roof tiles to solar charge the 7.68 kwh of batteries, with Wondrwall automation and energy management solution to run services in the community hub.

Operations director Chris Edge explained: “The community hub has quickly become a focal point for the new neighbourhood and residents of St Mary’s Garden Village are already making good use of it. We’re grateful to the Deputy Mayor of Ross on Wye Councillor Bev Pope for joining us and residents of St Mary’s Garden Village to celebrate the opening of the community hub. It’s one of the final facilities to open at the development, where more than 75% of homes have now been sold. The great thing about this building is that it’s designed to be zero net energy and should produce all the energy it requires, with any surplus being fed back into the grid.  Our ambition is to bring zero net energy homes to all our developments, and we’ve already built some homes in Ross on Wye powered in a similar way to the community hub, helping our homeowners save energy and reduce their household bills.”

The community hub includes a kitchen, utility, gym, three toilets, including one disabled, and open space for various groups to utilise.

There’s an electric car charging point available and bike hire will be available for residents to enjoy.

Edenstone has gifted a number of bikes from previous developments to Envirioability, the Mayor of Ross on Wye’s charity of the year.

Deputy Mayor, Councillor Bev Pope, said: “What Edenstone have done with the St Mary’s Garden Village Community Hub is really ground breaking in energy and design terms. It’s a beautiful space and its renewable credentials are second to none. I am really looking forward to visiting their net zero energy house when it is completed later this spring.”

Other community facilities provided within St Mary’s Garden Village include a play area and kickabout area, wetlands, ponds and formal gardens, plus allotments.

St Mary’s Garden Village will eventually feature 348 homes. The new neighbourhood features the Edenstone Group’s two housing brands – Edenstone Homes and Bluebell Homes.

For the latest availability and pricing see www.edenstonehomes.com/st-marys-garden-village, or www.bluebellhomes.co.uk/stmarys.