Brentwood Borough Council – Net Zero Carbon Homes

Approach

In July 2020, ARK was appointed to provide technical, governance and financial analysis support to develop a programme of 185 new homes on Council owned land. Included in the programme was the regeneration of an estate of 45 existing homes to be replaced with 65 zero carbon in use homes.

ARK undertook the viability study and supported the planning application to validation within a six-month period. ARK has now been commissioned to undertake a Social Return on Investment study on the zero-carbon project to assess how the wider programme of new homes might deliver further zero carbon benefits.

Outcome

Subsequently, ARK was appointed to deliver an asset appraisal of the Council’s sheltered housing stock and develop and phase two new homes programmes. We also led the financial due diligence for a major new homes programme funded through institutional investment and led the delivery of a new 3-year housing strategy, technical design standards for the new homes programme and a further assessment of the social return on investment for the Council.

Brentwood have committed to a £60 million, seven-year programme, which will deliver the next generation of modern Council homes. These homes will make best use of existing, underused land in the Borough, such as garage sites, and will be built to the latest low energy standard.