Derwent Living has celebrated the launch of its low carbon affordable housing scheme in Derby, with the help of a few special guests, including acclaimed film and television director, Ken Loach.

The scheme, at Vicarage Road in Mickleover, is the most environmentally friendly development that Derwent Living has built to date. The scheme consists of one 3 bed-house, two 2-bed houses and four 2-bed apartments, all available to rent at affordable rates.

The properties come with a number of eco-technologies as standard and features include new environmentally friendly construction methods such as insulated render walls and triple glazed windows with carbon neutral wooden frames. Other features include photovoltaic panelling, hot water solar panelling, rainwater harvesting and highly efficient A rated eco-gas boilers.


To celebrate the scheme, the housing provider held a launch event, where the development was officially opened by film director Ken Loach, Derby North MP Chris Williamson and the Mayor of Derby - Councillor Les Allen.

The scheme has been allocated to people in priority need in the Derwent Living operating area. Residents will work in partnership with Derwent Living whilst they live at the scheme, giving feedback and updates about the new environmental technologies to allow Derwent Living to easily introduce similar features in future builds.

Mr Loach said: "This new scheme is really good news. After directing a television drama about homelessness early in my career, I developed a real interest in social housing. It is hard to believe that there are still 1.7million households waiting for social housing and 62,000 families that are homeless, which is a huge issue in today’s society. It is not just about where people live, but it also affects families, and particularly children, in terms of their lifestyles – particularly if they live in bad housing. This scheme is of a very high standard and I’m sure the new residents will be very happy here."

(CD)