Renewable Energy Community

Contribution to sustainable development and people’s quality of life:

Contributes to regional energy strategy through integration and promotion of renewable energy technologies in to new developments.

Organisation: Leicester City Council

Sector: public

Location: Leicester, Leicestershire

Start Date: 2004 development begins

Summary: Ashton Green forms a major extension to the north west of the City of Leicester. It comprises 230 hectares and the target number of dwellings is 3,500. It is intended that the development be phased over 15 to 20 years.

The aim is ‘to create as new settlement which is sustainable.’

Features which will be included to produce a more sustainable development include

• Higher density development
• A range and mix of uses (shops, community facilities, employment)
• Good accessibility to public transport
• Very high energy efficiency and performance in new buildings
• Maximisation of recycling opportunities for waste products
• Sustainable urban drainage systems to deal with surface water run-off

Background: The intention of Ashton Green is to move development beyond current minimum standards of development set out in Building Regulations and Planning Regulations.

The UK development and construction regulatory system does not enable standards that would be most effective in achieving higher energy efficiency and the use of renewable to be set locally. They are governed by the building regulation system or the planning system.

Ownership of land allows the owner to set conditions in the land sale agreement. This is main mechanism which is hoped to encourage better standards for the sustainable development of the Ashton Green area.

Project results: It is intended that Ashton Green demonstrates best practice in terms of sustainable development and be regarded as a ‘flagship’ for similar urban extensions in other parts of the country.

In particular, it is hoped that the following areas will move current standard practice forward.

• Site layout (densities, orientation and green space)
• Transport accessibility (sustainable modes and parking provision)
• Nature Conservation (natural features and habitats)
• Water Management (SUDS and water conservation)
• Sustainable community (accessible facilities and housing diversity)
• Construction (materials and local economic benefits)

Keywords: Passive, Solar, Sustainable Development, Construction, Water Management, Transport, Nature Conservation

Contact Details:

Richard Holmes

Energy Officer – Projects

2-4 Market Place South

Leicester

LE1 5HB

E-mail: Holmr001@leicester.gov.uk

Web: Ashton Green