The prospect of 10 new homes at low rents for families in the Scholes area of the Holme Valley, took a step forward this week. The final planning approval has been issued for the energy efficient homes exclusively for local households priced out of the housing market. Following some long delays in finalising the legal documentation, Kirklees Council published the planning decision on its website on Friday 11th October 2024.
The homes will be built on the ex-quarry,Chippings site on Chapelgate. Connect Housing will build and manage the houses. They are making progress in engaging contractors. It is likely that work will start on the building works in early 2025.
On the 24th of April EcoHolmes held its fourth AGM with lots to report and some very interesting talks from guest speakers Professor Phil Brown, from Huddersfield University, Department of Housing & Communities, and Richard Townend of GWP Architecture.
Our Chair, Stephen Sheard shared our progress over the past 12 months, most notably with the planned development of 10 low energy affordable homes on the edge of Scholes in partnership with Connect Housing Association, but also proposals for retrofitting the empty old Parish Council office building in central Holmfirth. This was followed by a look at the scale of the decarbonisation challenge as it relates to housing and how the quality of housing affects health and well-being outcomes.
Professor Phil Brown had some startling figures to share around the impact and cost of poor quality housing and outlined the need to fix leaky homes, switch to low carbon heating systems, while avoiding harm to low income households. He advocated the need to promoteg behaviour change in policy makers as well as tenants and home owners.
Our second speaker, PassivHaus / Retrofit designer, and local resident, Richard Townend, expanded on the ‘fabric first’ approach to designing an Eco Home, and the details included within the housing designs for our Chippings project.
For AGM information and slides for both talks, click here for our Policies & Reports page.
Last year we shared our news that plans for affordable, low energy homes at an old quarry site in Scholes had been approved. We are now able to announce that we’ll be partnering with Connect Housing Association on delivering and managing these homes for the benefit of local people.
Connect have a proven track record in providing thousands of quality homes, alongside various support services to families across West Yorkshire. To find out more about our new partner, visit the link below: https://www.connecthousing.org.uk/about-us
For more details and news about our Chippings housing development, click here.
Show your support for EcoHolmes and our mission to build more affordable low-energy homes in the valley – please join us as a member.
Since setting up EcoHolmes in late 2019, we have been on a mission to build more affordable homes in the Holme Valley. 2024 could be the year it happens. Click here to see our new brochure with details of our journey todate and our plans for the future.
EcoHolmes will hold its Annual General Meeting 2024 for Members on Wednesday 24th April 7pm at the Holmfirth Tech – Save the Date!
The AGM is an opportunity for Members to hear what we’ve been doing over the last 12 months, learn more about plans for the Chippings site and help shape what comes next for EcoHolmes. If you are interested in getting more involved in what we do, let us know. There are vacancies for Board members or you might want to join one of the working groups. If you would like to find out more, please speak to one of the Board members or contact us at info@ecoholmes.org.
The AGM agenda and papers will be sent to Members by email two weeks before the meeting.
Last year we shared our news that plans for affordable, low energy homes at an old quarry site in Scholes had been approved. We are now able to announce that we’ll be partnering with Connect Housing Association on delivering and managing these homes for the benefit of local people.
Our last drop-in event was held in the Holmfirth area at the Tech on Wednesday 10th January talking about existing older stone-built homes, and the challenges retrofitting faces to make them energy efficient. Some 30+ people attend to talk with our experts and architects, and some interesting discussions took place.
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