Bid to create eco-village on city estate

Feb 13 2007 By Neil Elkes, Birmingham Mail

SOLAR power and green energy measures will be installed in 300 Birmingham homes in the first project of its kind in Britain.

Council housing bosses have today given the go ahead for the solar energy scheme in the Summerfield Park area of Egdbaston in a bid to create the city's first Eco-Village.

The Summerfield Eco Project is the largest in the UK and as well as targeting climate change, it will help tackle fuel poverty by cutting water heating bills by half.

It will also be a step towards Birmingham's aim of cutting carbon emissions from housing by 30 per cent within three years.

The council has teamed up with the Family Housing Association for the 18-month installation programme.

Last year the association signalled its green campaign with the conversion of a Victorian property in Summerfield Crescent into an eco showhome - fitted with a range of environmen-tally friendly features.

The eco village concept is to be developed over a number of years among local residents with the promotion of greener lifestyles, from energy conservation to recycling initiatives, being piloted in the area.

Coun John Lines, cabinet member for housing, said: "This scheme provides a real opportunity to address the issues of global warming through a practical project which will reduce the harmful carbon emissions of domestic homes.

"It will also act as a pilot for future approaches in the improvement of the existing housing stock."

Martin Chambers, chairman of Family Housing Association, added: "We will be tackling the negative impacts of fuel poverty by installing solar panels, increasing recycling, installing high energy efficient boilers and improving central heating and insulation."

Fitting the new solar panels will be contractors Eaga and local firm New World Solar, who are to create up to 20 training placements in the process.