Housing - What are we doing?

View this page in Welsh / Gweld y tudalen hwn yn Gymraeg


Using modern methods of construction we have provided communities with quality, sustainable social housing, while continuing to make our current social housing more efficient.

This page is designed to show you some examples of the work the Council is doing to make its housing sustainable as part of Project Zero.


Water saving

Our Housing Development Team are prioritising reducing water waste in existing housing stock and new housing schemes as part of the Council's house building programme, which aims to meet local housing needs sustainably.

The team fit various fittings to reduce water usage including, low flow toilets, shallower baths, diffusers on tap fittings, and rainwater harvesting systems.

For example, twelve new eco-friendly flats will be built on Winston Road in Barry using sustainable methods including rainwater harvesting technology, solar panels and energy efficient heating.

As well as water technologies, the team are also rolling out energy efficient electric heating and hot water systems, as gas fired heating systems will be phased out for new build homes from 2025.


Building an energy efficient housing stock

As part of our house building programme, new homes are being built at Hayeswood Road, Barry, St Cyres Road, Penarth, Colcot Clinic, Barry, and Coldbrook Road, East Barry. We are using energy efficient technologies, such as:

• energy efficient electric heating and hot water systems

• solar photovoltaic panels (PV)

• energy efficient windows and doors

• Decentralized Mechanical Extract Ventilation (dMEV) to improve air quality and remove moisture from the home

Elsewhere, we are monitoring 40 existing hybrid heating installations and supporting tenants to get the best results from the systems.



Adopting improved housing standards

To meet Welsh Government decarbonisation legislation, we are carrying out a whole stock assessment and producing Target Energy Pathways for our homes to reach SAP 92 -EPC A by 31 March 2027. In the interim, we are working towards all our homes meeting a minimum of SAP 75 – EPC C by 31 March 2030.

We are adopting AECB Carbon-lite Standards in all our new-build properties. The AECB Carbon-lite Standard is aimed at those wishing to create high-performance buildings using widely available technology at little or no extra cost. It is estimated that this low-risk option will reduce overall CO2 emissions by 70% compared to the UK average for buildings of each type . The AECB Carbon-lite Standard adheres to the key principles of Passivhaus design which are:

• Good levels of insulation with minimal thermal bridging

• Excellent levels of airtightness

• Good indoor air quality

• Passive heat gains through solar radiation and internal heat sources



Fabric first approach

In our House Building Programme we use a fabric first approach, sourcing construction materials locally and sustainably. Newly constructed homes have panelised (2D), modular (3D), or structural components, manufactured offsite to improve thermal efficiency, construction quality and to ensure low air leakage from the building fabric.

Fabric first schemes are being delivered in new blocks of flats and houses including Pontalun Close and Severn Avenue schemes in Barry, with Severn Avenue piloting Solshare PV (solar panels) and battery backup systems that distribute electricity to individual flats.

We engaged consultants to develop a large-scale (PAS2035) 'Whole House Approach ’ Scheme to improve approximately 400-500 properties over the next 2-3 years. The retrofit assessments and air tightness testing have been completed and the in-house Retrofit Coordinator has identified the options to achieve net zero. Designs have been finalised and tenants consulted on the finished appearance of the blocks and individual properties.

View this page in Welsh / Gweld y tudalen hwn yn Gymraeg


Using modern methods of construction we have provided communities with quality, sustainable social housing, while continuing to make our current social housing more efficient.

This page is designed to show you some examples of the work the Council is doing to make its housing sustainable as part of Project Zero.


Water saving

Our Housing Development Team are prioritising reducing water waste in existing housing stock and new housing schemes as part of the Council's house building programme, which aims to meet local housing needs sustainably.

The team fit various fittings to reduce water usage including, low flow toilets, shallower baths, diffusers on tap fittings, and rainwater harvesting systems.

For example, twelve new eco-friendly flats will be built on Winston Road in Barry using sustainable methods including rainwater harvesting technology, solar panels and energy efficient heating.

As well as water technologies, the team are also rolling out energy efficient electric heating and hot water systems, as gas fired heating systems will be phased out for new build homes from 2025.


Building an energy efficient housing stock

As part of our house building programme, new homes are being built at Hayeswood Road, Barry, St Cyres Road, Penarth, Colcot Clinic, Barry, and Coldbrook Road, East Barry. We are using energy efficient technologies, such as:

• energy efficient electric heating and hot water systems

• solar photovoltaic panels (PV)

• energy efficient windows and doors

• Decentralized Mechanical Extract Ventilation (dMEV) to improve air quality and remove moisture from the home

Elsewhere, we are monitoring 40 existing hybrid heating installations and supporting tenants to get the best results from the systems.



Adopting improved housing standards

To meet Welsh Government decarbonisation legislation, we are carrying out a whole stock assessment and producing Target Energy Pathways for our homes to reach SAP 92 -EPC A by 31 March 2027. In the interim, we are working towards all our homes meeting a minimum of SAP 75 – EPC C by 31 March 2030.

We are adopting AECB Carbon-lite Standards in all our new-build properties. The AECB Carbon-lite Standard is aimed at those wishing to create high-performance buildings using widely available technology at little or no extra cost. It is estimated that this low-risk option will reduce overall CO2 emissions by 70% compared to the UK average for buildings of each type . The AECB Carbon-lite Standard adheres to the key principles of Passivhaus design which are:

• Good levels of insulation with minimal thermal bridging

• Excellent levels of airtightness

• Good indoor air quality

• Passive heat gains through solar radiation and internal heat sources



Fabric first approach

In our House Building Programme we use a fabric first approach, sourcing construction materials locally and sustainably. Newly constructed homes have panelised (2D), modular (3D), or structural components, manufactured offsite to improve thermal efficiency, construction quality and to ensure low air leakage from the building fabric.

Fabric first schemes are being delivered in new blocks of flats and houses including Pontalun Close and Severn Avenue schemes in Barry, with Severn Avenue piloting Solshare PV (solar panels) and battery backup systems that distribute electricity to individual flats.

We engaged consultants to develop a large-scale (PAS2035) 'Whole House Approach ’ Scheme to improve approximately 400-500 properties over the next 2-3 years. The retrofit assessments and air tightness testing have been completed and the in-house Retrofit Coordinator has identified the options to achieve net zero. Designs have been finalised and tenants consulted on the finished appearance of the blocks and individual properties.