Eco-homes developer makes Crawley jobs commitment

Westridge Constuction has begun work on the £2.5m scheme to build the homes to a very high energy efficiency standard called ‘Passivhaus’ in Gales Place, Three Bridges.

A borough council spokesman said its director, Martin Buckthorpe, signed a charter which encourages it, its contractors and council partners to ‘make the most of all the opportunities for local people and businesses’ on Monday (February 22).

She said the parties will now need to demonstrate ‘willingness to employ local people, create local supplier opportunities and contribute to raising skills for people in the area’.

Cllr Peter Smith, cabinet member for Planning and Economic Development, said: “A number of partners have signed the charter now and we’re very pleased to have Westridge on board too.

“Exciting new standards of developments like Passivhaus take a long time to bring forward but being able to provide affordable, sustainable housing while bettering the opportunities for local people is something that we are very pleased to be able to do.”

Mr Buckthorpe said: “We are delighted to have become a developer partner of Crawley Borough Council and look forward to delivering Crawley’s first energy efficient Passivhaus scheme.”

The development is scheduled for completion in spring 2017.

A council spokesman said: “The standard, which was developed in Germany in the early 1990s, concentrates on exceptionally low energy demands, high insulation levels, high performance doors and windows, air tightness to minimise heat loss and mechanical ventilation with highly efficient heat recovery.

“Along with this, it is expected that annual running costs for the homes will be significantly lower as Passivhaus buildings typically achieve around a 75 per cent reduction in heating requirements compared to standard new buildings.”

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