16/06/10 - Thomas Vale begins work on New Sustainable Housing in Kettering

Glen Scofield, Housing New Build Director for Thomas Vale Construction, Commented: “We are delighted to have been awarded our first project with the Orbit Housing Group based in Coventry - additionally the project continues to increase the Thomas Vale profile within the East Midlands affordable housing marketplace.”

The new development will consist of 47 houses and four bungalows and will be mixed tenure, providing homes for both shared ownership and rent. The development is on a former allotment site provided by the council and will help meet the affordable housing demand present outside of the town centre.

Thomas Vale and Orbit Homes are both concerned with building developments that take into account the need for environmental sustainability. With this in mind, the houses will be built according to the Code of Sustainable Homes Level 4. The Code is the national standard for the sustainable design and construction of new homes. The Code aims to reduce our carbon emissions and create homes that are more sustainable.

Kamal Berendji, Contracts Manager for Orbit Homes, said: “We are excited to be working with Thomas Vale to develop these homes at Furnace Lane, which will provide much-needed good quality, sustainable housing in Kettering.”

In order to help reach the level, Thomas Vale will install photovoltaic cells. Photovoltaics are best known as a method for generating electric power by using solar cells to convert energy from the sun into electricity. The photovoltaic effect refers to photons of light knocking electrons into a higher state of energy from the sun into electricity.