Accord Group and Redditch Co-operative Homes: Marlfield Farm, Redditch, Worcestershire

“There were a number of testimonials from residents and the thing that came across from all of them was how warm their homes were.”

Steve Trusler

Number of homes: 79 (all affordable)
Cost: £8 million

The UK’s largest low carbon, Norwegian timber frame housing development provided excellent value for money. Built for the same cost as a traditionally built code for sustainable homes level 3 scheme, it features two level 6 homes, based on designs proposed by Jennifer Brook, a 15-year-old schoolgirl who won Matrix Housing Partnership’s Eco Homes of the Future competition, with the remaining 77 meeting level 4. Managed by a new housing co-operative, the development, a mix of houses and apartments for shared ownership and affordable rent on the site of a former school, secured £1.8 million Homes and Communities Agency funding.