More ‘Passivhaus’ Homes

SOUTHEND City Council says it is continuing to invest in energy-efficient council-owned homes, with a range of developments helping meet local housing demand.
The Council is progressing several projects across Southend, including new affordable homes at Eagle Way and Lundy Close, its first Passivhaus developments, the acquisition of former council homes, and the purchase of newly built properties for affordable rent.
Together, the projects will deliver dozens of new and refurbished homes for local residents.
Construction is due to begin shortly on the next phase of the Eagle Way development, delivering 16 affordable homes, while work is already underway at Lundy Close, where nine new homes are expected to be completed by autumn 2027. Both developments have been designed to exceed current building standards and will feature low-carbon technologies, including air source heat pumps and solar panels.
In addition, the Council says it is delivering its first certified Passivhaus homes at Bradford Bury in Leigh and Denton Avenue in Westcliff. A Passivhaus is a house that meets international design standards for buildings that achieve extreme energy efficiency and high indoor comfort while requiring almost no conventional heating or cooling.
These highly energy-efficient properties are designed to reduce energy use and lower household bills, supporting both residents and the Council’s net zero ambitions. The possibility of other affordable Passivhaus homes is also being explored at sites across the city.
Alongside its new-build programme, the Council continues to bring former council homes back into use through its acquisitions programme, with around 20 homes expected to return to Council ownership this financial year.
The authority says it is also progressing its first strategic acquisition of eight newly built family homes, which will be let at affordable rents to households on the Housing Register.
Work is also advancing to make existing council-owned houses more energy efficient. 207 homes across the Balmoral Estate are set to receive heating upgrades as part of the largest ongoing ground source heat pump project in the country.
These upgrades are expected to significantly reduce yearly resident energy costs. A further 61 houses will receive a combination of solar panels and air source heat pumps over the next year. The authority is also putting plans in place to bring all remaining properties up to EPC C as part of the incoming 2030 Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards. An EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) rating of C means a property has above-average energy efficiency in the UK.
Coun Irene Ferguson, Cabinet Member for Housing and Preventing Homelessness, said: “Everyone deserves a safe, warm and affordable place to call home.
“With more than 1,200 families on our housing waiting list, we are taking action. Through new developments, acquisitions and a £100 million investment programme over the next five years, we are increasing the supply of high-quality, energy-efficient homes and helping more local families access secure housing.”
The projects form part of the Council’s ongoing commitment to increasing the supply of affordable housing, tackling fuel poverty and investing in sustainable communities across Southend.
Picture: Coun Irene Ferguson, cabinet member for housing and preventing homelessness, at the Lundy Close (HRA Phase 4) building site.
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