Greenoak Housing Association: 2007 Gold Award winner

About Greenoak
Greenoak, a Woking-based association, has adopted an inclusive approach to the environmental sustainability cause.  A board member has acted as a sustainability chamption since Greenoak introduced its Environmental Policy and Plan in 2000 and a residents' EcoHomes Panel works closely with the association and architect Jon Broome to plan and design new homes that exceed the EcoHomes 'excellent', the full Lifetime Homes and Secured by Design standards.

The award-winning project
Greenoak’s achievement in facts and figures alone greatly impressed the judges. Its existing houses and flats have a whole-stock average SAP energy efficiency rating of 92 (the UK average is 51). New homes built by the association have overall CO2 emissions as low as 13kg/m2/yr – way below the UK Building Regulations requirement of 57 kg/m2/yr.

 On-site renewables and water recycling are not used - @thre life expenctancy is less than the pay-back period”, argues the association. However, all new houses are future-proofed to allow the replacement of gas boilers with other heating systems in ten years’ time.

Greenoak’s  partnership record also impressed the judges. It has forged links with local authorities and is a member of  the 12-strong Small Housing Associations Pursuing Excellence (SHAPE) group. With Hyde it is working on a scheme in Woking and it provides advice to smaller associations.

The association works to good effect with parish councils to tailor rural schemes to meet local needs. Houses recently completed in the village of Normandy are “a practical visible benchmark to the wider community and an incentive for future projects”, says Guildford Borough Council. “Good to look at and so efficient with their insulation and energy efficiency”, adds the parish council.

All in all “an excellent application”, said the experts who supported the judges in their deliberations. “In short, outstanding,” concluded the judges.

Further information
Visit Greenoak's website for further information about the organisation.