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Southannan Properties
North Southannan Farm
Fairlie, KA29 OEA
Tel: 01475 568790
Woodhead Farm Hamlet will be the first development in the UK using an integrated
sustainable system
Woodhead Farm Hamlet will have the first examples of the Wood 100 sustainable
building methodology built in the UK
An opportunity to create an uptodate version of 'the good life'
The site is located within the developer's farm boundary and benefits from sustainable
resources outside the proposed site
WoodlOO Construction
CONTENTS
Page 4 Introduction
Page67 Sustainability
The Place
Woodhead Farm Hamlet is situated in the countryside, two miles north east of West
Kilbride in North Ayrshire. The farm is located in an upland area, some 500 meters
from Crosbie Moor, enjoying sea views over the west coast. The proposal is to create
a small rural hamlet consisting of five residential houses as set out in this document.
The Company
Southannan Properties is a small family owned rural development company based in
Ayrshire. The company focuses on the creation of small to medium sized high quality
developments in Scotland.
In order to retain build quality and efficiency the company has invested in two
sustainable offsite manufacturing systems. We have spent the last three years
researching sustainable solutions for housing, and now have a range of products
catering for different budgets.
The System
Southannan Properties are pioneering a new building system on this site. An
Integrated Sustainable System (ISS) is a system that uses processes and resources
intelligently and efficiently to achieve an integrated approach to building
development. The details of this system are covered in this document.
Local Housing Requirements and Economic Opportunity
The latest local plan figures for North Ayrshire are not being met by windfall sites. It
is our understanding that the target figure is 500 units and they are currently
struggling to achieve 40.
The site is currently designated as countryside and has not been identified in the local
plan as a developable site. There is currently no emerging spatial strategy within
North Ayrshire, although they plan to release one next year.
In this development we will be using high quality materials, professional engineers
and skilled local tradesmen to deliver a first class product. We will use the
development as a showcase as our office is within two miles of the site. It is hoped
that a substantial number of people will visit the site once it is completed .
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WoodlOO Construction
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Addressing longterm sustainability
The proposal accounts for the minimwn of 25% affordable housing. In this case one
of the houses will be offered as a shared equity scheme.
All houses on this site are internally adaptable and therefore suitable for 'whole of
life' occupation. They are built to the highest standards and should last several
hundred years. They are also wired for individual renewable systems as well as the
district system allowing for maximum future flexibility. We aim to achieve code
level 6 for our sustainable homes.
Woodhead is located to the North East of West Kilbride. The site offers breathtaking
views of the Ayrshire Coast and the island of Arran. West Kilbride is a close knit
community where there is a high moral ethic and ceo awareness is high on most
people's agenda. There is a community garden and community allotments both of
which will be incorporated into the Woodhead Farm Hamlet.
Part of the existing landscape is taken up by an old sheep shed which has become
surplus to farm requirements. The remainder of the site will be where a sheep
handling pen and holding area were located. The sheep operation has now been
centralised in another location. The surrounding holding area is steep and uneven and
not suitable for any farming operation with the exception of sheep.
The Hamlet will blend in with the existing farmhouse and steading conversion. The
West Kilbride community allotment and chicken egg production units are situated
across a field at the back of the site.
1. It is anticipated that a committee will be formed that will allow occupants to
manage the Hamlet efficiently and effectively
2. Detached garage spaces situated away ITom the houses allow for flexibility for
residents
3. Each house will be fitted with monitors to show running costs of the buildings,
a composting toilet to reduce hwnan waste, an internal recycling system, a
bicycle rack and an allotment
4. All houses are designed to hook up to the district energy systems, as well as
being wired for their own systems should it be required in the future
5. These houses will form the basis for demonstration for the first Wood 100
houses in the UK. as well as showing design examples of passive houses made
ITom the SIPS system
6. We plan to install monitoring equipment rrom the energy saving trust, which
will take readings over an 18 month period
Accommodating landscape
The housing cluster is nestled into the side of a hill, sheltered on all sides by trees or
banking. The location has been chosen to maximize the views but minimize the
visibility from the main coastal road .
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Development
There are several features we are incorporating into this site that will make it a
sustainable location:
The aim of an ISS is to achieve zero waste on a site. This is achieved in many ways,
but mainly through the following means:
This site has been specifically designed to make as few changes to the existing
topography as possible. Houses are placed on the contours and paths are designed
along the sloping site to minimize extensive ground works.
The houses will range from a luxury two storey detached 5 bedroom home to an
affordable one and a half storey 2 bedroom terrace.
Each building is designed for maximum flexibility with the internal space. All load
bearing walls are kept to the outside and where possible the interior space is free from
any design constraints.
Materials
Methodology
All houses will be kit houses manufactured otIsite. Two of the houses will be made
out of a Wood100 kit (www.thoma.at) and finished externally in local stone and
Scottish timber. One house will be made from a cross laminated system
(www.eurban.co.uk) and finished in local stone and Scottish timber.
The other two houses, including the affordable house will be made out of SIPs kits
(www.moderntimbersvstems.com). One will be clad with a combination oflocal stone
and hemp plaster (www.hempirebuilding.co.uk) and the affordable house will be clad
with Scottish timber.
At present four roofs will be completed in Scottish slate and one in tin.
The craft town of West Kilbride has many artisans that will be involved on the site.
The expertise of Fairlie Sawmill will be put to use with doors, flooring and furniture
along with inhouse engineers and renewable energy experts.
Maintenance
As a developer with an extensive property portfolio we are only too aware of the
ongoing costs in time and materials it takes to maintain properties. Over the last five
years we have managed to reduce the time spent maintaining our own properties by
75%. This has been achieved through simple design, and our insistence on using high
quality materials that last. We will take this body of knowledge and apply it to this
site.
Access
Access to the site is from the B781 on the West Kilbride, Dairy road. The site is half
a mile along a newly upgraded road. Although sloping there are no other site
restrictions. A disused sheep shed will be used on site for prefabrication.
The site is located within Southannan Estate which operates a responsible open access
policy for recreational purposes. The second phase of the project is to link up an
access path with the existing core path network.
IT Infrastructure
BT has a fibre optic cable, which currently runs next to the site. We plan to wire for
the latest technology, but leave the hook up decisions to the occupant.
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Joint access to buildings
There will be an additional building on site located next to the allotments. This
building is intended for joint use by the occupants. Positioning of the four allotments
and this shed will be determined on completion of soil porosity and quality tests. This
building has not been indicated on the plans.
SIPs construction has good sound deadening performance in the outer walls and roof
The internal walls are better made from traditional partition walls to prevent any
drumming noises carrying through the monolithic skin panel.
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Environment
The Site
The site lends itself to an efficient resources supply as detailed below.
The benefits of house positioning have been clearly demonstrated by award winning
developers such as Living Villages who found that by having two sides of anyone
house jutting into communal space increases community interaction and they find that
the external space is brought to life with hanging baskets and other external
decoration showing off their house. Our layout will maximize the chances for
interaction amongst occupants.
Water
Water will be taken off the existing water catchment system off the hill. There is also
a mains water supply as a back up subject to approval from SEP A.
Electricity
A feasibility study is currently being conducted to see if a micro hydro system is
appropriate to generate electricity. The site is also favourably located for a medium
sized wind turbine positioned higher up the hill.
Heating system
A district heating system with individual thermal stores will be incorporated. We are
waiting for quotes for both biomass and geothermal.
All houses will have a wood burning stove and back boiler to augment the existing
system.
Waste food
Waste food will go to the local poultry unit, which is only a field away.
Human Waste
We are working with the Centre for Process Engineering on an Anaerobic Digester
system that will provide heat and power from human waste. It is still not yet clear
whether the economies of scale for this site are compatible with this system. In
addition a composting toilet will be located in each house.
Community space within the development is designed to cater for all ages and stages
in life, and will provide a centralised area where everyone can interact.
Landscaping
Native species trees will be planted throughout the site with community planting areas
laid out in sheltered areas next to stone walls and banJr..s.
Allotment
All houses will be accompanied by allotments and south facing gardens.
Rainwater harvesting
Every house will have a rainwater harvesting system linked into the existing drainage
network
Lighting
All external lights will be on timers and will be on a low voltage system.
Access
The site is also aligned with easy access to a proposed core path network.
Quickly changing temperatures inside a house often give an uncomfortable feeling to
its inhabitants; cold if the temperature outside drops quickly or if you turn down the
heat or the contrary~ warm inside when warm outside. This is called 'barrack
climate' and is common in light constructions.
SIPs houses will have mechanically ventilated systems to ensure high air quality.
Although fitted with electric switches the system we use achieves 80%)efficiency
without being turned on.
Sustainable Transport
The very positioning of the Hamlet will encourage walking and cycling. Our proposal
",ill also include either a communal secure cycling shed, or individual house racks.
The proposed core path network will tie in with the site and the local village.
The roads leading to the site have been purposely kept to the outside and are sculpted
into the existing topography as much as possible.
Resources
The key to sustainable use of resources is to reduce your requirement for resources to
begin with. If a building is designed well and built with the right materials we believe
families can live for a fTaction of the resources traditionally used, and importantly at
no detraction to their quality oflife.
1. The houses on the site will be made of the WoodlOO, cross laminated timber,
and SIPs systems, all designed for their thermally insulating properties.
2. The designs of the houses are for maximum solar gain.
3. A sustainable water management system will be included in the overall design.
4. By using a screw pile base system the site will minimise the requirement for
ground works in general and in particular concrete.
5. There will be a twiceweekly uplift of selected food waste for chickens.
6. There also be provision for green wa..;;tecomp....sttng on site.
7. The kitchen will be designed to incorporate waste recycling.
8. As the buildings will be manufuctured offsite there will be virtually no waste
in the construction of the kits. The site time will also be reduced by up to 60%
for this part of the project.
9. All additional finishing materials will be store.d in the existing shed to ensure
they are kept secure and are not affected by lying outside on the site.
Planning
Planners
Southannan Properties have had initial conversations with the planners, who although
supportive of such a scheme, would not be able to accept it under current policy
guidelines. One of the key objectives of the company is to win SSCI backing to make
a tighter case.
By successfully arguing that the site is within the boundary of a disused sheep
farm handling area.
2. Submitting the proposal as an enabling development. The profits reinvested to
ensure the ongoing operational success of the estate.
3. By showcasing the buildings on completion, and monitoring their performance
over time.
4. By building the first Wood 100 passive house in the UK.
5. By showcasing comparative low carbon houses in different price brackets on
one site.
6. Clearly showing what a sustainable development should look like.
7. Producing a zero carbon development through our lSS system.
Land ownership
The land is situated within Southannan Estate boundary and is owned and farmed by
the developer.
Finance
The project will be financed through the buildstore financial scheme. The initial
capital will be secured over the land once planning permission has been achieved.
Proposal Delivery
The greater part of this project will be undertaken by skilled local craftsmen. The
WoodlOO and cross laminated systems will be imported from the continent. The SIPs
houses will be manufactured in our own production plant two miles north.
The initial ground works tor services will be achieved in house. The screwpile
foundations and erection will be completed by Eurban. The second and final fix will
be completed by an in house and local team.
I By successfully arguing that the site is within the boundary of a
disused sheep farm handling area.
2 Submitting the proposal as an enabling development. The profits
reinvested to ensure the ongoing operational success of the estate.
3 By showcasing the buildings on completion, and monitoring their
performance over time.
4 By building the first Wood 100 passive house in the UK.
5 By showcasing comparative low carbon houses in different price
brackets on one site.
6 Clearly showing what a sustainable development should look like.
7 Producing a zero carbon development through our ISS system.
Timescale
Planning Submission will be made within the next quarter.
Infrastructure
Roads
Upgrading of entrance onto main road will be required by the roads department. The
second half of the track and the development itself will require upgrading. We have
not decided on the finished material at this stage. There will also need to be
additional passing places on the road up to the development.
Groundworks
Additional field drainage will be required around the site. A new water holding tank
will be installed and connected along with a water harvesting system.
Energy
Micro hydro is our preferred energy provision system. A feasibility study is currently
being undertaken.
Waste
The site will require a new waste water system. The specification is to be confirmed
depending on CPI and SEPA. There is also provision to expand on the existing
system.
Engineering
Landscaping will include reinforcement and drainage where required.
Pipework and cabling for district heating system and individual houses.
Pile driven house bases.
Each house will require separate structural engineer calculations.
First, second and finishing fixes completed by in house and local integrated team.
1. Helping the developer convince the local planning authority that this site
should be granted planning pennission for the proposed project put forward in
this document.
2. Help from Architecture and Designs Scotland fine tuning the proposal.
3. Help from Lighthouse on the integration of sustainable technologies into the
site.
Constraints
Although sustainable this site will currently require extended dialogue with the local
planning authority to be granted pennission.
In the current climate it will be more difficult to convince potential buyers to pay the
premium required to make a project of this nature cost effective to produce.
Porosity tests are also required to confinn screw piling as the preferred solution.
Convincing tradesmen to subscribe to what we are trying to achieve. Picking the right
people will be essential, and spending time at the beginning ensuring their complete
buy in will be the only way to take the project forward as it currently stands.
Appendices
The panels were used to construct test homes that were continually monitored for over
thirty years, then disassembled and reexamined. During this time, FPL engineers
continued to experiment with new designs and materials.
Famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright used structural insulated panels in some of his
affordable Usonian houses built throughout the 1930's and 1940's. SIPs took a major
leap in technology when onc of Wright's students, Alden Dow, son of the founder
ofDow Chemical Company, created the first foam core SIP in 1952.
By the 1960's rigid foam insulating products became readily available resulting in the
production of structural insulated panels as we know them today. The Structural
Insulated Panel Association was fowlde.d in 1990 to provide SUPIJortand visibility for
those manufacturing and building with this emerging building technology.
In the 1990's SIPs saw the development of advanced computer aided manufacturing
(CAM) technology. Using these systems, computerized architectural drawings (CAD
drawings) can be converted to the necessary building standard to allow automated
cutting machines to fabricate SIPs to the specific design of a building. CAD to CAM
technology has streamlined the SIP manufacturing process, bringing further labor
savings to builders.
Today SIPs offer a high tech solution for residential and nonresidential buildings.
Advances in computer aided design and manufacturing allow SIPs to be produced
with amazing accuracy to deliver flat, straight, and true walls. SIPs are now made
with a variety of structural skin materials, including oriented strand board (OSB),
treated plywood, cement board, and metal. SIPs are available in thickness from
119mm to 300rnm walls, and thicker roof panels up to 400rnm, depending on climate
conditions. Many manufacturers also offer curved SIPs tor curved roof applications.
The design capabilities, exceptional strength and energy saving insulation make SIPs
a twentyfirst century building material for high performance buildings.
Wood 100
Wood 100 means 100% Security
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Wood 100 offers superior fire protection which is 35 times better than wood frame,
metal stud construction or brick ceilings. Wood 100 can withstand flames of 900 to
1000 degrees for 150 minutes without loosing structural integrity, which exceeds all
minimum time limits as required by code.
Our product has no condensation, no mould, and is windproof and has almost total
protection from radiation (i.e. from telephone towers