INCA Case Study: Basildon Homes, Essex

Background to the project

 Basildon council has a large stock of aging, thermally inefficient properties ranging from system built properties, town houses and traditional build.

The council wanted to provide more energy efficient homes for its residents while also refreshing the local area in a bid to tackle anti-social behaviour. The brief was to extend the life of the original properties by using products that would improve its thermal performance and provide a more pleasant place for people to live.

The solution and specification

alsecco’s Ecomin 300 and Ecomin 500 systems were specified for this project because of their high performance qualities that fulfilled the criteria for the scheme. The system has all the required testing certifications for fire as well as BBA approval.

Throughout the last seven years alsecco and PJ Mears along with Basildon Council have worked continuously to run U-values and specifications on each house type to achieve the required U-value of 0.28 w/km2.

Various finishes were used on the scheme from dash to silicone (1.5mm). As per the clients requirements to give a visually pleasing mix of aesthetics around the streets of Basildon. These finishes are highly weather resistant, vapour permeable and UV stable, helping to protect the building fabric, reducing the need for maintenance and improving durability

The installation and challenges on site

Building restoration specialist PJ Mears was appointed by the main contractor, Morgan Sindall to install alsecco’s Ecomin systems. Prior to any work starting, as well as during, Morgan Sindall carried out a series of toolbox talks to the contractors site management team so that they fully understood the system specification.

To maintain positive relationships with the residents, a liaison officer made regular contact throughout the works to address any issues and share when access to communal walkways would be limited for safety in advance of any temporary closures. This helped to keep the impact of construction works to a minimum.

Problems overcome

 As with any refurbishment project, working with building constructed decades ago using older methods and built to different standards presents its own set of challenges.

The end result

The refurbishment and clean, modern aesthetics has huge social value and will improve both the mental and physical wellbeing of Basildon residents and the wider community. The project has since provided a blueprint of best practice for Basildon Council.

Work on the project started in October 2016 and was completed in March 2024 resulting in the creation of over 600 properties over an 8 year period. Nearly 1 million saved in energy bills and over 2.3 million kg (2300 tonnes) of CO2 emissions.

Jim Holman, alsecco UK.

“ Having finished this project and now reflecting, we feel as though this project has been a huge success and has really given Basildon a new lease of life. The area has been transformed into somewhere its residents are proud to call home.

It has been a pleasure working with the guys on site and solving some challenging specifications for specific house types to ensure we meet the required U-values.

We also particularly enjoyed holding regular tenant liaison meetings for all the residents to keep them informed about the schedule of works, as well as being on hand to answer any questions they may have had. We look forward to future projects with PJ Mears. “