Both pilots will utilise sustainable construction practices. Credit: Kam Idris via Unsplash.

Property manager The Crown Estate has announced the launch of two pilot housing projects to experiment with various techniques to develop net-zero houses.

The projects will help investigate the possibilities and challenges associated with developing net-zero housing units across the UK. Both tests will utilise sustainable design and construction practices to reduce operational and embodied emissions.

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One of the two schemes is a 15-acre property in Wootton, Bedford, with a Neighbourhood Plan allocation for approximately 50 houses, of which 30% will be made affordable.

The other project is a plot in Cheshire, that has outline approval for up to 60 houses, 30% of which will be affordable, as well as accompanying road infrastructure.

In addition to achieving its energy-efficiency goals, the company is aiming to discover how new homes can be built with less embodied carbon than a rate of 300kg/m². 

The Crown Estate is currently looking for partners for these pilot projects and will explore various methods for project delivery, including incentives for attaining environmental and financial goals.

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The Crown Estate head of Regional Residential Rob Chesworth said: “By being bold and pushing existing industry standards through these pilot projects and sharing our learning, we hope to demonstrate that high-quality, net-zero carbon homes are deliverable at scale and can form the cornerstone of vibrant, sustainable communities.

“We want to work with aligned SMEs [small to medium-sized enterprises] and entrepreneurs who are putting innovation and sustainability at the forefront of house building and community-focused development to raise industry standards and galvanise momentum to meet the sector’s decarbonisation challenge.”