Firbeck Revival Scheme
Mainer Associates has undertaken a Code for Sustainable Homes assessment on West Lancashire Borough Council’s new revival scheme. The £8 million development includes 42 new dwellings, all of which were awarded a Code Level 3 certificate.
Dwellings at Firbeck will provide local families with everything they need. All houses and flats proved to be energy efficient, demonstrating significant improvement in fabric energy efficiency. They are equipped with smart meters that not only monitor energy consumption, but let users know what the costs of their habits are, therefore encouraging further savings.
The houses are suitable for start-ups in need of an office. All dwellings were provided with a home office with required services (telephone points, sockets, internet connection). Dwellings have also been designed to ensure that plenty of daylight can provide users with a healthy environment while working from home.
Houses are equipped with appropriate general and recycling waste bins. Home users receive support from West Lancashire Borough Council, who look after their needs and ensure that all waste types are appropriately segregated and picked up, thus reducing the impact of the development on the environment. Compost bins have also been provided in private gardens. Organic waste can get taken away, or can be used by those with a green finger.
Keepmoat was contracted to carry out the construction of the dwellings. They successfully ensured that construction waste was kept to a minimum, and ecology surrounding the dwellings was left undisturbed.
The Revival Scheme serves communities in Skelmersdale, which is undergoing significant regeneration works, with the aim of transforming it into an area of thriving business.