Carbon Challenge

The Carbon Challenge initiative was tasked with testing the Code for Sustainable Homes at the highest level – namely zero carbon at level 6, and in so, aims to help to accelerate the homebuilding industry’s response to climate change.

Building on the lessons learned from the former Millennium Communities Programme and the Design for Manufacture competition, two sites have been offered for disposal subject to a demanding performance brief. With high standards for both design and construction the aim is to deliver high quality communities providing new homes that are both affordable and sustainable.

• The first site is a former hospital at Hanham Hall, South Gloucestershire. The developer, Barratt Developments Plc, has started work on this high quality scheme of around 195 homes at Code level 6, of which at least a third will be affordable. The site will also provide retail, employment and community buildings set in a diverse landscape. The full winning submission can be downloaded from the archived English Partnerships website.

Monitoring and evaluation

We will undertake monitoring and evaluation of Hanham Hall and South Bank Phase 1, and a detailed framework that will capture the experiences - both good and bad - of designing, building and living in Code level 6 homes has been created.

Monitoring guide for carbon emissions, energy and water use

We have published our post-occupancy evaluation protocols. This report explains the monitoring framework and demonstrates the toolkit for carrying out monitoring and evaluation of occupant behaviour as opposed to relying solely on predictions from design models and estimations to ensure lessons learnt are available.

Download post-occupancy evaluation monitoring guide (PDF - 2.1Mb)

Download post-occupancy evaluation appendices (PDF - 1.5Mb)