INCA Case Study: Broxtowe Conservation, Nottinghamshire

In one of the first projects of its kind in the UK, AIC Westdale North Ltd took on the project of refurbishing a number of houses in a conservation area at Eastwood in Nottinghamshire.

Broxtowe Borough Council required a retrofit solution for 80+ existing solid wall properties within a conservation area, with the majority being located on two streets in Eastwood.

At the outset the council planners were solely looking at internal wall insulation for the houses within the conservation belt, and hadn’t really considered going down the External Wall Insulation (EWI) route, but were impressed by the quality of ArtBrick EWI sample work provided by Structherm, and the vision put forward by Westdale’s wide-ranging team of representatives.

As a result Westdale North were proud to have been handed the responsibility of meeting conservation requirements and regulations, as well as delivering on their aims of energy efficiency, quality of work and sustainability in the housing sector.

The ArtBrick EWI was specified to match existing property aesthetics, which also included cills and projecting brick feature at eaves level, and Westdale’s overall approach was demonstrated to save both money and also avoid the need to decant the occupants/rip out interiors, therefore bringing less disturbance and resulting in fewer opportunities for cold bridging etc.

The insulation installed will help to reduce heat loss in the Eastwood homes, improving EPC ratings and helping to reduce energy bills in the winter months. On average, each home has been projected to save 40% on their energy bills.

With the homes being within the conservation area called the ‘The Buildings’, the project had to ensure the external fittings would preserve the original character of ‘The Buildings’. This was achieved through weekly visits from a conservation officer and careful design, which included hand detailing uneven brickwork to mirror the original historic brick finish.

The installation alongside other energy efficiency measures such as new windows and doors, ventilation upgrades etc, needed to be carefully considered and programmed, to ensure junctions were robustly designed and installed. And all properties remained occupied throughout the project, which required AIC Westdale North Ltd to work closely with the client and tenants to orchestrate delivery of the works, and keep everyone informed at every step of the process.

As part of the project, Dr L Jalil, Energy Improvement and Grant Coordinator for Broxtowe Borough Council is working in partnership with researchers from Nottingham Trent University, led by Professor Amin Al-Habaibeh, installing sensors to monitor moisture in a number of properties, helping to prevent any future issues with damp.

A meticulous approach ensured that the project adheres to both modern standards and historical preservation requirements. The works presented the planners and client with the perfect opportunity to bring all the properties back in keeping with one another, similarly to how they would have appeared when first built. The properties have been transformed in terms of thermal efficiency while still maintaining their original look.

“I had been saying for a long while that it looked like these houses would sadly have to be pulled down, so to see them now is remarkable. Fantastic job, just fantastic! I don’t live too far away and have seen the transformation taking place. The houses have come on a treat and they have retained their heritage. The lads doing the work should be commended. These houses have been damp and cold, and are now being turned into really warm homes.” – Eastwood Town Councillor Ken Woodhead.

“The past few years have seen huge increases in energy bills across the country, and so I’m pleased to be able ease some of that pressure with this project in Eastwood. The insulation has also been completed to a high standard with regards to preserving the original look of the houses and ensuring they keep their original charm.” – Leader of Broxtowe Borough Council, Councillor Milan Radulovic MBE.

“The homes are looking great and tenants are already feeling the benefits. It has been a pleasure to be clerk of works on this fantastic project.” – Senior Clerk of Works Adam King.