Housing Department announces Jersey’s first carbon neutral estate

28 February 2007

The regeneration of one of Jersey’s old-established housing estates will incorporate the latest thinking to make it a shining example of environmental sustainability.

While the second phase of Le Squez’ s refurbishment will be completed on schedule in August this year, residents are being told that the next phase of work, due to start later in 2007, will incorporate cutting edge technology which will make the remaining three phases carbon neutral.

Assistant Minister for Housing, Deputy Jackie Hilton, said: ‘For the first time we are looking at future running costs and the impact of the development on the supply of scarce resources, such as energy and water. We are about to invite tenders from architects and we will be looking for proposals which will incorporate a range of environmentally friendly features. We will be demonstrating that Jersey’s government is serious about shouldering its environmental responsibilities and want to be at the cutting edge of change.’

Deputy Hilton continued: ‘It is the Department's vision to see the estate move from being simply a housing estate to a modern housing scheme with far more of a village feel about it, including many more amenities for the wider community than are available there now.’

She added that residents need have no worries about the quality and comfort of their homes and they would be invited to have a say in the design process. The incorporation of features such as ‘grey water systems’ which use rainwater for non-drinking purposes; low energy lighting; high standards of insulation; solar panels; ground source heat pumps and recyclable building materials, together with waste management and recycling schemes on the estate will reduce the overall carbon footprint during the whole lifetime of Le Squez.

155 households presently live in the un-refurbished homes at Le Squez and all the new homes will be part of this environmental housing initiative.