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.

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.

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.”