ISG Jackson builds a new general needs rented development in Kent for Orbit South
(28/05/2010)

ISG Jackson has commenced work on a £2.8 million project with Orbit South and its development partner Orbit Homes, to build a new general needs rented development in Ramsgate, Kent. Occupying the site of the former Ellington Girls School, which has been demolished as part of the project, ISG Jackson is building 28 homes that each incorporate some of the very latest innovations in sustainable technology.

The development of 12 houses and 16 flats has been designed to achieve a Code for Sustainable Homes level 4 rating, which requires the use of high performance building materials and measures to minimise CO2 emissions. All the new homes will be constructed using sustainably sourced timber frames, with roof mounted photovoltaic cells installed on the blocks of flats to generate emission free electricity. Solar water heating panels will be mounted on the new town houses, which use heat from the sun to warm domestic hot water supplies.

The scheme incorporates significant hard and soft landscaping elements and ISG Jackson will retain and incorporate a number of original features from the old school building within the development, such as the old school gates. Secure bicycle storage facilities will be provided to promote the greater use of sustainable forms of transport, with the project scheduled for completion by early 2011.

Michael Manning, director of ISG Jackson's Living division, commented: "Sustainable building design is integral to every Orbit development and ISG Jackson has worked closely with the housing provider to create an extensive number of innovative green communities across the south and east of England. This latest project adds to our growing portfolio of developments for many of the UK’s leading social and affordable housing organisations, further reinforcing our credentials within this key business sector.”