EIGHT zero-carbon council homes, thought to be the first of their kind, are being built in Oxford and are aimed at elderly residents.

The council houses are building built across three different sites in the city.

The council said all emissions caused by turning on lights,  the hot water, heating and ventilation from the buildings should create net zero carbon emissions.

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Oxford City Council, which is building the homes through its company Oxford Direct Services, claimed the homes were 'the first zero carbon for regulated energy use new-builds to be constructed in Oxford.'

The council added that it aims to move elderly residents of the city into the new homes, in a bid to free up larger council houses for families.

The new homes are being built at several sites:

• Two one bedroom and two two-bedroom single-storey retirement homes on a site between existing homes in Bracegirdle Road and Chillingworth Crescent in Wood Farm, Headington. The project includes demolishing a side extension to a house in Bracegirdle Road to create an access road.
• Two one-bedroom and one two-bedroom single-storey retirement homes behind Mortimer Drive, Marston, which are being built in the place of garages.
• One two-bedroom single-storey retirement home in Broad Oak, Slade Park, Headington.

Oxford Mail:

Construction at Broad Oak. Picture: Oxford City Council

All the eight homes will be wheelchair and lifetime homes compliant.

They have been designed to be adapted to include hoists, or lower kitchens worktops, sinks or cookers, in the future.

They will also feature air source heat pumps, triple glazing, high standards of insulation, and solar panels.

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Mike Rowley, city council cabinet member for affordable housing, said: “These new homes will enable elderly people to move out of larger council homes, which will in turn provide much-needed homes for Oxford’s families.

He added: “We can’t solve our city’s carbon problem without solving the emissions from buildings – 81 per cent of emissions in Oxford come from buildings."

Council homes in Oxford are let at about 40 per cent of the rental prices of the private rented sector.

An independent consultant has said the homes will likely achieve the highest scores for energy efficiency.