Cool homes in a warming climate

Cool homes in a warming climate: Welborne sets new standard with UK’s largest deployment of innovative technology

·       Welborne’s homes are comfortable all year round

·       State-of-the-art ground water source energy network

·       Efficiently delivering cooling and heating

·       Beautifully crafted homes that are fit for the future

As heatwaves in the UK become more common, Welborne, a new generation sustainable garden village in Hampshire, is delivering the UK’s largest water source heating and cooling network.

Welborne’s first set of residents moved in over the recent winter months and are now enjoying the benefits of switching from energy-efficient heating to low-cost, built-in cooling during this year’s second heatwave. The residents are keeping comfortable indoors, without the need for expensive or energy intensive air conditioning.

In partnership with Rendesco, Last Mile Heat and Portsmouth Water, this innovative technology has been designed to provide consistent comfort across all seasons, reducing both bills and environmental impact. Unlike traditional homes reliant on gas boilers or air source heat pumps, Welborne’s system uses water drawn from the ground to provide a stable source of low carbon energy. This allows the system to reverse in hot weather, removing heat from homes and returning the water, making it climate change resilient.

Paul Stewart, Technical Director at Buckland Development, said:
“Heatwaves are now a reality of life in the UK, and homes need to be designed for that future. At Welborne, we’ve taken a long-term, holistic approach, by investing in low carbon infrastructure that keeps homes cool in summer, warm in winter and affordable to run. This is about creating a community that is truly fit for the next 100 years.”

Every home in Phase One will be connected to the water source energy network, which will also serve the businesses and community buildings in the Village Centre, embedding sustainability across Welborne at the outset.

This approach reflects Welborne’s wider vision: to deliver beautiful, high quality homes built with traditional craftsmanship by build partners Thakeham, Pye Homes Blenheim and CG Fry & Son, and blended with the benefits of modern technology. Alongside leaning on the past and being fit for the future, Welborne’s nature-led, climate resilient design means over 50% of Welborne is devoted to publicly accessible green space, with tree-lined streets adding to the cooling effect on homes.

Welborne is being created to reflect the best of the past but also to stand the test of time, environmentally, economically and socially. It is a blueprint for future living, showing how new housing can take a forward-looking approach, with an energy system not only designed to be low carbon but also adaptable to the UK’s changing climate.