Four Housing Group: Sinclair Meadows, South Shields

“What really stood out here is that this is the beginning of a major redevelopment of this part of town.”

Colin Haylock

Thought to be the first carbon negative social housing development in the UK, this ambitious scheme boasts what is believed to be the largest array of solar panels on domestic dwellings in the country, and feeds electricity back into the national grid. With more than 500 applications for the nine three-bedroom houses and 12 two-bedroom apartments, residents needed to show an interest in living environmentally friendly lifestyles. Features of the development, which received £1.2 million from the Homes and Communities Agency and is designed to exceed level 6 of the code for sustainable homes, include mini allotments and kitchen gardens. The scheme sits on the perimeter of planned estate regeneration, including 400 new homes.

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