THURROCK councillors and senior officers recently visited a borough homes development which is establishing new environmental standards.

The site, being delivered by modular house builder  ilke Homes, renewable energy group Gresham House and alternative asset manager Octopus Energy, is behind established homes on Victoria Road, Stanford-le-Hope, and is being marketed as the Hope Green development.

It is planned the homes will guarantee residents zero energy bills.

Modular housebuilder ilke Homes was joined by Iceni Projects to host local councillors Paul Arnold, Sue Shinnick and Lynn Worrall were all in attendance during the visit.

They were accompanied by senior officers Julie Rogers, director of public realm at Thurrock Council, Leigh Nicholson, assistant director of planning, Keith Andrews, strategic lead for housing development and Bruce Chibesa, senior housing development project manager.

Hope Green was granted planning permission despite concerns expressed by local councillors and residents who were particularly concerned about the dangers of being in an area notorious for flooding.

The development will eventually comprise 153 homes once complete in autumn next year. 101 will be zero-carbon in operation - meaning they will generate their own source of energy, helping to drastically reduce emissions produced by utilities such as electricity and heating. 

All of the homes are being sold as a shared ownership, an affordable home ownership product that enables local people to get a foot on the property ladder.

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As part of their visit, councillors and members of Thurrock Council were taken on a tour of the site, during which ilke Homes representatives were on hand to demonstrate how, by integrating low-carbon technologies like air source heat pumps and solar panels, the company can deliver highly energy-efficient homes that keep bills to a minimum.