Redditch has been announced as the first town in Europe to be the home of a new development offering virtually plastic-free housing.

The CHARM project, consisting of 12-one bedroom apartments for social housing tenants, is near Redditch station and occupies the site of a former factory car park.

The project is spearheaded by GreenSquareAccord, a housing provider with a commitment to sourcing environmentally friendly alternatives to lessen its carbon footprint.

 

 

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The scheme was built using timber frames from the developer’s low-carbon manufacturing facility, LoCaL Homes, and has a solar thermal heating system to lower carbon use.

Carl Taylor, assistant director of new business and growth at the company, noted that this year's Earth Day theme of 'Planet Vs Plastics' serves as a crucial reminder for the housing and construction industries.

He said: "Unexpectedly, the bigger carbon savings came not through reduced energy usage, but a far lower amount of embodied carbon in the development compared to a traditionally built scheme - amounting to an estimated 74 years of carbon running costs."

Mr Taylor said the intention was to “start a conversation about the use of plastics in construction, and it certainly got people thinking."

Taylor said: "It has certainly caught the public's and the media’s imagination, thinking about the impact plastics have on our oceans, onto our landfill and on society."

Lifetime Redditch Resident Sarah Evans, who lives in one of the apartments, said: "Lower energy bills are a big consideration.

"It’s definitely been a relief, to have lower bills during the energy crisis.

"I’m close to work and have never had any problems with my flat.

"I think there should be more buildings like this."

Emma Marshall, Conservative borough and county councillor and Redditch's Clean Air Champion, said that the development proves "it is absolutely possible to create properties with less plastic.

She concluded: "We want to be making sure we are supporting all the town’s needs, in a way that’s sympathetic to the town’s green identity."