WORK is underway on new energy efficient homes in a Herefordshire village.

At a time when the cost of living is an all-time high, 38 new affordable and sustainable homes are being built in Ewyas Harold.

Local building contractor Speller Metcalfe is building the £5 million scheme on behalf of social housing provider, Stonewater, whose vision is to enable ‘everyone to have a property they can call home.

The new homes will benefit from a range of sustainable features which are being installed this month. These include ground source heat pumps, which transfer heat from the ground outside to heat up radiators and hot water.

Solar PV panels are also being installed on the roofs of properties to maximise energy efficiency, and will be used to supplement electricity to each home. Switchee thermostats will also be fitted, which will provide real time analytics and information sharing between the customers and Stonewater.

These features will enable residents to reduce their spending on bills at a time when energy bills are rising, the housing provider said.

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Matt Crucefix, Stonewater’s director of development (south and west), said: “We’re delighted to be working with Speller Metcalfe to provide these much needed affordable and sustainable homes to the Herefordshire community.

“At a time when the cost-of-living is an understandable concern for many customers, the features being installed at the Ewyas Harold homes will hopefully provide some relief in terms of energy costs. At Stonewater, we’re committed to providing good-quality, affordable homes to our customers, and measures like these help us to support that goal. “

The new homes will be split between shared ownership and properties for rent.

The 24 affordable rented properties consist of two bed bungalows, one bed flats, a mix of two, three and four bed houses and a three-bed adapted dormer bungalow, which includes an adapted kitchen and wet room. The 14 shared ownership homes consist of two and three bed houses.

Mark Eaton, divisional director at Speller Metcalfe said: “We’re excited to see the sustainable features of this project now being installed. The homes at Ewyas Harold will be a real benefit to the rural community. Not only are they more energy efficient than your average new build home, they will also increase the number of residents and families from neighbouring Abergavenny and Monmouth who can access affordable homes on their doorstep.”

In addition, new access roads will be installed alongside external landscaping including driveways and gardens.

The housing development is due to complete in September 2023.

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