EQUANS has started work on what is believed to be the largest gas free, new housing development in the UK.

Housing provider, Stonewater, appointed EQUANS for the £17 million project, which will transform a former quarry into a low carbon scheme of 140 gas-free affordable homes in Flanshaw, Wakefield.

The project has been supported with Homes England funding – awarded to the long-term strategic partners Stonewater and Guinness to build 4,500 homes by 2025.

Each of the new homes will benefit from the installation of solar electricity panels, in addition to being heated with an ASHP.

ASHPs are a low carbon alternative to gas boilers, that use heat from outside to power heating and hot water systems, helping to further reduce household bills and supporting the UK’s bid to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The pumps run on electricity and are around three times more efficient than a standard boiler, resulting in lower carbon emissions.

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Nathan Brough, Regional Director at EQUANS, said: "We're delighted to have been chosen to lead on this exciting project, which gives us the perfect opportunity to combine our zero carbon and regeneration expertise to create much-needed affordable family housing.

"Heat accounts for around a third of all CO2 emissions in UK homes, so it’s never been more important to look to renewable technologies to help create sustainable communities, and we’re really proud to be doing just that here in Wakefield."

The Flanshaw development – located on the site of a former quarry off Flanshaw Lane - includes a combination of houses, flats and bungalows, ranging from one to four-bedrooms. The completed development – which will also have the infrastructure for electric car chargers to be installed in future – will comprise of 75 homes for affordable rent, as well as 45 shared ownership homes and 20 available through a rent-to-buy scheme.