08 Apr 2021

Phase 2 of exemplar energy efficient social housing scheme in Carryduff completed.

Choice Housing has completed phase 2 of their ultra-energy efficient housing scheme in Carryduff, County Down. The £3.2m Killynure Green Scheme in Carryduff meets the highest standards in reduced carbon emissions and energy costs for residents in Northern Ireland. With the completion of phase 2 the award-winning scheme now houses 251 people in 63 homes.

The second phase, which contains 24-units follows phase 1 which comprised of 39 dwellings with a mixture of 2, 3- and 4-bedroom houses designed to meet Level 5 of the UK Code for Sustainable Homes. Each home has an efficient building fabric and technologies installed to reduce the need for heating, with solar panels installed to reduce the electricity bills of the occupants

Killynure Green in Carryduff was the first in Northern Ireland to achieve the highest grading possible for sustainable homes – meeting strict targets for CO2 emissions, water usage, ecology and waste – and remains one of the largest of its kind in the UK.

Michael McDonnell, Chief Executive of Choice said: 

“Killynure Green is a unique development in Northern Ireland and has been designed to showcase how we can set and achieve the highest possible standards for customers whilst also ensuring the provision of a safe and secure living environment.

“This new phase provides a further 24 homes, which includes provision for those with complex needs as well as general needs accommodation.

“With a continued commitment coming from the NI Executive to reduce our carbon footprint, it is vital that housing associations play their part and we hope that Killynure Green sets the standard for all future housing developments”.

The homes have intentionally been designed so they are easy to live in, with no complex controls, which also helps to reduce the performance gap.  The improved building fabric means homes are more efficient and easier and more cost effective to heat.  Both phases of the development also share access to a play area, which also encourages integration for new residents into the existing community.

Phase 1 of the scheme was awarded ‘Project of the Year’ at the CIBSE Building Performance Awards 2018, while in 2016, Killynure Green claimed the coveted Best Social Housing Project title at the Royal Society of Ulster Architects (RSUA) awards, the Chartered Institute of Housing’s Sustainable Development Award and also claimed an Action Renewable award in recognition of excellence in planning.