Image courtesy of Red and Gray Limited

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ST JOHN'S GIVEN COUNCIL BLESSING

The first vicarage in the UK to meet the Government's rigorous Code for Sustainable Homes Level 6 is to be built in west London.  

The flagship development is being undertaken by housing and regeneration group, LHA-ASRA, with construction due to commence in spring 2010.

The zero-carbon vicarage will form part of the St John's Church Grounds development in Wembley which has received the green light from LB Brent Council.  

Level 6 is the highest set by government and it is expected that all grant funded social housing will have to meet the exacting standard by 2016.

As well as a new home for resident vicar, the Reverend Francis Adu-Boachie, the scheme will provide a new community centre for the Parish Church Council of St John's, and 20 affordable homes built to Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4.  The vicarage itself will boast photovoltaic panels, state of the art ground source heat pumps and solar thermal technology.

The affordable homes will benefit from thermal technology and PV panels, helping residents keep utility bills and their carbon footprint particularly low.   Some of the homes will be available for intermediate rent to local residents and workers who can not afford to rent on the private market.

William Cornall, Director of Development and Regeneration at LHA-ASRA Group, said: "The St John's Church Grounds development will provide much needed affordable housing in Wembley for families, couples and single people, as well as a high quality community facility.

"We have worked in close consultation with the Parish Church Council and LB Brent Council to present a quality-built, attractive, low carbon scheme that will enhance the local area whilst meeting the needs of the local community."

The development will also incorporate children's play facilities by the new community centre, along with 20 car parking spaces throughout.

The Grade II listed St John's Church, designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott and built in 1846 will be unaltered, but enhanced by the sensitive design of the new buildings and landscaping that will surround it.

West of Wembley town centre, St John's is just 400 metres from Wembley Central London Underground and national rail station, and minutes from local shops and amenities.

The architect for the scheme is nationally based calfordseaden.

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Christopher Rainsford, Partner and architect specialising in conservation at calfordseaden, added: "A sustainable development will be created that makes the best use of brownfield land whilst maintaining the integrity of an historic site.

"Meeting the Level 6 Code for Sustainable Homes criteria only adds to the quality of the build and sets down a marker for others to follow."