New green homes planned for Tadpole

Hortus Living has unveiled plans for a sustainable development of 38 homes on land south of Tadpole Lane.

The proposals include a mixture of flats and houses, designed to Passivhaus standards to deliver low energy demand, lower carbon emissions, promote health and wellbeing, and lower energy bills.

Passivhaus design principles are focused on designing and building to a high standard using the best thermally performing materials to maximise a building's fabric efficiency.

Additionally, these principles leverage passive influences such as winter solar gains, shading, and natural cross-ventilation to minimise energy consumption.

The Passivhaus approach also integrates high levels of airtightness and technologies that minimise heat loss, such as mechanical ventilation with heat recovery.

This makes it possible for passive homes to achieve a remarkable 90% reduction in energy usage compared to conventional dwellings – significantly lowering carbon emissions, and energy bills, and supporting wider regional and national net zero goals.

Hortus Living’s plans are centred around the concept of allotment living and will deliver generous community allotments, associated public open space, natural play areas, orchards and wildlife zones.

Hortus Living is carrying out a public consultation on its emerging plans this month, gathering feedback to further refine the scheme and reflect the views of the local community.

Alongside new homes designed to Passivhaus standards, the plans will also provide sustainable transport links through safe and direct connection to pedestrian and cycle infrastructure.

The existing ecological value of the site has been carefully considered, and the plans will prioritise the retention of existing trees, and introduce complementary new tree species to support the Great Western Forest.

The project will also deliver financial contributions to help fund key local services, and create local jobs during the construction period.

Ugur Isbasaran, board member of Hortus Living and parent company Isbasaran Group said: “We are delighted to showcase our plans for what will be a highly sustainable, low carbon development.

“We’re proud to be bringing forward proposals that promote the concept of allotment living, and we hope they will set a new bar in terms of sustainability and high quality design.

"Our plans offer a range of benefits to the local community, and we would encourage everyone to take part in the consultation and send us your views.”

Hortus Living plans to submit a planning application to Swindon Borough Council later this month. Should the plans be approved, construction on the project would begin in 2024.

Further information on the plans can be viewed on the project’s dedicated consultation website at hortusliving.com/tadpolelane