Work on the first phase of almost 100 new, environmentally friendly, affordable homes on the outskirts of Thirsk is close to completion

Broadacres, working with developing partner EQUANS, is building 97 new homes at Sowerby Gateway.

The first ten properties are set to be handed over in late spring, with the other homes being released throughout the rest of 2022.

All 97 homes are affordable, energy efficient and will be heated using Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP) technology – marking the first time Broadacres has used renewable energy on a scheme where a gas connection is available.

There will be 61 homes for affordable rent and 38 for shared ownership, providing people with the opportunity to get a foot on the property ladder. All the homes will be allocated to people with a local connection to the area.

There are a mixture of homes to benefit a cross section of people, including one-bedroom flats, two-bedroom bungalows, family homes and adapted bungalows for people with disabilities.

During a visit to see the final work being carried out on the first ten properties being handed over, Gail Teasdale, Broadacres’ Chief Executive, said: “We’re delighted to be close to welcoming the first residents to this ground-breaking new scheme.

“These are high quality, exceptionally designed homes which are very energy efficient and have a low carbon footprint.

“And because of the mix of homes, they will help young people looking to rent or buy their first home, families seeking more space and older people wishing to downsize or because their mobility needs have changed.”

Mark Robson, Leader of Hambleton District Council and the representative of the Sowerby and Topcliffe Ward, said: “I’m delighted to see just how much progress has been made over the last few months and to hear that the first of these new homes will be ready in just a few weeks’ time.

“Ensuring people can access affordable local, energy efficient housing is so important to ensuring our district remains an attractive place for people to live and work. I’m looking forward to seeing this new estate coming to life when people start moving in later in the year.

Louise Buckton, New Build Director at EQUANS, said: “It’s great to see the first phase of homes almost ready to welcome residents. The Sowerby development is very much a new generation of family homes, with air source heat pumps providing clean, renewable, heating – better for the environment, and for future residents’ finances.

“We’re delighted to be working with Broadacres on the development, and can’t wait to see residents starting to move in and enjoying a high-quality new home.”

Air source heat pumps extract heat energy from the air in order to warm homes and provide hot water. As well as being environmentally friendly, they are significantly more efficient than traditional heating systems.

These renewable energy systems are playing an important part in Broadacres’ sustainability strategy which ultimately will lead to the organisation’s homes and properties becoming carbon neutral by 2050.

Work to replace storage heaters in existing homes with heat pumps has been underway for a few years but this marks the next step as all future developments will be using renewable energy technology.

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