Scottish Borders Council

Agenda item

Place Update

(a)     Highlight report (attached).

 

(b)     Presentation on Green Homes Initiative.

Minutes:

10.1     With reference to paragraph 7.4 of the Minute of 7 March 2019, copies of an update on Our Place had been circulated.  The Affordable Warmth & Home Energy Efficiency Strategy had now been approved following extensive partnership working and consultation.  The Scottish Borders Home Energy Forum was now focussed on delivery and also responding to emerging national fuel poverty strategy and legislation.  Collaborative working was underway between SBC, RSLs, Changeworks and The Energy Savings Trust on a number of projects and funding bids.  Pre-manufacture (including modular) housing group was progressing with affordable housing schemes using modern methods of construction which were proposed across the Borders and Dumfries & Galloway.  Work was underway with the Construction Scotland Innovation Centre to utilise their support and advice.  Extra care projects were progressing in Gala and Duns.  The Rapid Re-Housing Final Plan 20189-24 had been approved by SBC in March 2019 for final submission to Scottish Government – this had been developed in partnership with the Borders Housing Alliance and H&SCI Strategic Planning Group, with implementation from April 2019.  Feedback had been received from Scottish Government on the Plan and follow up action was being planned.  Some challenges and delay with securing planning consent was impacting on housing supply, but the delivery of the expanded programme was progressing well with future projects and priorities being identified.  It was hoped to use the output from the current Wheelchair Accessible Homes Study to inform future investments.  Discussions were ongoing with Aberlour and SBHA on potential future provision for a Borders based project for children with learning disabilities, and between Eildon Housing and Cornerstone with respect to a new LD service. 

 

10.2     Nile Istephan, Eildon Housing Chief Executive, gave a presentation on the Green Homes initiative, which related to key activities in the Action Plan.  Fuel poverty and sustainability issues came together in housing stock.  New homes, when built, would have as high standards as possible e.g. zero carbon efficient, but most houses already existed so required a different approach.  The RSLs were currently building more new homes in the Borders than any other provider, with 750 in the pipeline along with extra care housing.  In some cases, RSLs purchased homes from private developers.  The house building programme could also trigger economic benefits through use of a local workforce and supply chain.  Eildon Housing’s green programme comprised 4 different schemes, with completions expected by March 2021:  Passivhous (10 homes); Energiesprong with battery technology (13 homes); Off-site volumetric 12 homes) (12 homes); and traditional time frame and air source heat pumps as the control scheme.  The programme had end to end performance monitoring from the Mackintosh Environmental Architecture Research Unit built in, with analysis carried out from concept and build, to lived-in.  These new type of heating systems required tenants to use them differently as they usually had a constant level of heat, rather than turning systems on/off when in/out.  Tenants for these houses would be identified according to housing needs but they would be advised that due to the nature of the heating systems, they needed to use them properly to gain the benefits.  The use of gas heating systems was no longer sustainable and alternatives had to be explored.  Members welcomed the programme and looked forward to receiving updates as the schemes progressed.       

Supporting documents:

 

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