Public Consultation on Development Begins

Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) has announced it is to lead on a low-carbon, high energy-efficient housing development in the town centre and is asking members of the public to take part in the consultation.

Working in partnership with ZED PODS and Maidstone Property Holdings, MBC has launched a consultation on the development which is to consist of 16 low-carbon, energy-efficient homes and will be built over King Street car park.

The new and innovative way the homes are to be constructed will limit disruption to one of the busiest car parks in Maidstone, and their design will retain the parking spaces beneath, providing an excellent solution to land, revenue, sustainability and permanent housing issues. This development will be mix of one and two-bed apartments, which will be super-insulated and airtight with minimal energy demand, providing the lowest possible running costs.

ZED PODs are factory-built volumetric homes built to higher standards than conventional houses. They are triple-glazed, with heat recovery ventilation and provide lots of daylight. The solar panels on the roof and the fabric efficiency are designed to create ultra-low to net-zero carbon homes with the lowest running costs possible.

Maidstone Borough Council’s Head of Regeneration and Economic Development, John Foster said: “MBC is delighted to be planning such a pioneering environmental and socially focused development which will deliver much-needed living space for young professionals, keyworkers and vulnerable households in need of affordable housing in the town centre.”

Key principles to be considered as part of this development include:

• 16 new residential homes consisting of a mix of one and two-bed apartments (some will be offered as social rent)
• All apartments are Nationally Described Space Standard compliant, designed with private amenity space
• All apartments are super-insulated, airtight homes with minimal energy demand the lowest possible running costs
• Solar electric roof (BRE MCS Approved) with 42,986.21 kWh annual production will generate more energy than is consumed.
• Quiet running heat pumps providing low-energy water/heating
• The apartments will be delivered fully furnished with A-rated appliances fixtures and LED lighting throughout
• Robust party wall construction performance to achieve minimum 60-minute fire ratings and comply with Part B of the Building Regulations and Fire Safety Plan
• The proposed design will enable parking underneath the apartments, with ample lighting
• The proposal will improve the street scene and includes improvements to the boundary with planting
• The proposal will improve site security & tackling anti-social behaviour
• The solar panels combined with the DER improvements should result in 100% offset of regulated carbon emission − creating a net-zero development

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