THE Alder Green development on Alder Lane has scooped the “Most Innovative Refurbishment/Regeneration Project” award at the 2015 Housing Innovation Awards.
The project, run by Golden Gates Housing Trust in partnership with Willmott Dixon Energy Services and John McCall Architects, saw five existing buildings and the surrounding area of Alder Lane being completely regenerated to bring them up to a ground breaking energy efficient green standard.
The most innovative part of the project was the development of the Smart Share Solar System which allows tenants to share systems. With no PV sharing system available on the open market, Golden Gates Housing Trust developed the product with solar PV monitoring organisation, SIG.
As well as developing this innovative solution, the project also combined a number of others in an innovative way including using solar battery storage to power the communal entry systems and lighting across the five buildings.
It beat off competition from the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games Athletes Village to win the award at a ceremony held in London.
GGHT Chair, Roy Smith said: “We are immensely proud to have won the award, which is the culmination of a long term project that has embraced new technology for the benefit of our residents. The Alder Green scheme has totally transformed the area and this award shows our commitment to investing in local communities in Warrington.”
James Nicholls at John McCall Architects said: “The scheme, designed to give five housing blocks their own visual identity, has made a huge impression lining a major gateway into Warrington town centre.
“In addition to the kerb appeal for the wider community, we thoughtfully incorporated a range of sustainable measures to drastically reduce tenants fuel bills whilst also enhancing the buildings’ aesthetic appeal.
“The materials and colours were carefully chosen and play a really important part giving the buildings a new lease of life due to their clean design creating a modern, uplifting, airy ambience.”
Cllr Kate Hannon, executive board member for leisure, community and culture at Warrington Borough Council, said: “This scheme has transformed and revitalised the local community and I’m delighted its success has been recognised. Winning this award is a credit to all those who have been involved in bringing this scheme to life and I’m so pleased with the benefits it will bring to our residents.”
The Housing Innovation Awards, now in its fourth year, is all about celebrating that pioneering spirit and highlighting examples on inventive and original schemes and services.
You can find out more about the project, including detailed plans and artist impressions by visiting the dedicated website page at www.gght.org.uk/aldergreen. Alternatively, you can check updates of the project on Twitter using #AlderGreen
Pictured (left to right): GGHT Neighbourhood Officer, John Murphy, Cllr Kerri Morris, Dave Hill, GGHT, Mark Moore (middle), GGHT, Paul Lowe, GGHT, Cllr Kate Hannon and Cllr Mike Hannon
