In Edinburgh, Scotland, building contractor Arc-Tech (Scotland) has started work on a planned net-zero housing development comprising nearly 450 units. Western Villages, the development of 444 homes, will be located along the waterfront at the Firth of Forth site. The project is part of the city of Edinburgh Council’s Waterfront Regeneration initiative.
The village will include a district heating system and solar photovoltaic panels installed on the roof of each flatted block. The district heating will contain a series of electric heat pumps heating water and moving it through an insulated pipe network throughout the development, according to the plan. Main contractor on the Western Villages project is CCG (Scotland) and Hawthorne Boyle working in partnership with Arc-Tech.
Around the housing sector will be 30 electric vehicle charging points.
“Western Villages is a landmark development for net zero housing delivery in Edinburgh and Scotland, and it is a privilege for Arc-Tech to be involved,” John Gallacher, company managing director, said in a statement. “Sustainability is ingrained in every detail of this project from enhanced build standards and our bespoke-designed energy system to lower car use and a focus on active travel and ecology combining to create a new blueprint for sustainable, urban living.”
Builders hope to complete Western Villages in 2024. The development will offer a mix of 1, 2- and 3-bedroom flats. Architect on the project is Cooper Cromar. The overall Waterfront Regeneration includes 1.3 billion Euros in development, including 3,500 homes. Reports last year about the plan’s approval called it Scotland’s largest net-zero housing development.
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