Building contractors shortlisted for preliminary work on NW Bicester Eco Development Exemplar Scheme

20 May 2011

Two major UK building contractors, Hill Partnerships and Willmott Dixon, have entered into ‘partnering contracts’ with the A2Dominion Group, the housing partner in the first stage of P3Eco’s NW Bicester Eco Development – an initial 393-home mixed-use zero carbon community, known as the Exemplar.  The contractors will work with A2Dominion on the design and construction of the housing on the site, once the planning application has been determined by Cherwell District Council in Oxfordshire.

Gerry Walker, Development Director (South East) at A2Dominion, said: “We’re committed to involving local businesses in the construction of our new homes at NW Bicester. We’re very excited to be working with Hill Partnerships and Willmott Dixon. They are well-regarded contractors who not only have the practical experience, but also share our vision to create a sustainable community within the eco-town.”

The contractors’ strong sustainability credentials have led to them being chosen for involvement in the initial phase of the ground-breaking NW Bicester Eco Development. They have signed up to the high expectations of sustainability for the homes in the Exemplar. 

• Hill Partnerships has one of its regional offices located at Home Farm in Bicester, which is where the Eco Development will be located. Due to their location and commitment to the local economy, they are best placed to involve local companies in the scheme. 

 

• Willmott Dixon is renowned for its commitment to sustainable construction
  and has vast experience of working in partnership with local colleges and skills centres to provide work placements and full Apprenticeships on its building sites.  Both contractors have a strong track record in sustainable building and in providing jobs for local people and using local suppliers.

Kieran Larkin, Deputy Chief Executive, Hill comments:

“NW Bicester is not only an important regeneration scheme for the area, but a ground breaking development for the UK, incorporating the best of the new eco technologies. Having worked on the two largest Code 5 for Sustainable Homes schemes in the country, Hill is ideally placed to work on this landmark development and we are proud to be involved. As a truly local partner, with our Bicester office located in the development area, we are keen to continue our support of the local economy, creating new jobs and also helping to improve the community amenities. We are pleased to be building on our existing strong relationship with A2Dominon and look forward to working together on this exciting project.”

Tim Carpenter, Managing Director of Willmott Dixon, said, “The whole housing industry will be watching and learning from this exciting project as we work with A2Dominion Group to develop sustainable homes that will help set a standard for how future housing can meet our carbon reduction commitments.  We will bring our current skills and learning, which includes developing several homes at Code 5 and 6, to ensure the NW Bicester Eco Development is a huge success for the local economy.” 

NW Bicester is one of the Government’s designated eco-towns.  A planning application for the Exemplar phase has been submitted by P3Eco, A2Dominion and the consortium behind the NW Bicester Eco Development to Cherwell District Council. It is seeking full permission for 393  homes and an energy centre of up to 400sqm, along with outline permission for a range of facilities to support a community including a community centre, retail units, an Eco-Business Centre and a site for a future primary school.  The cost of delivering the housing element on the Exemplar will be in the region of £80 million.

P3Eco and its partners expect a decision on the planning application for the Exemplar site to be made by Cherwell District Council by the summer. 

When planning permission is granted work will begin to create the largest housing development in the UK that reaches the Code for Sustainable Homes Level 5 zero carbon standard.  This exceeds the demanding objectives set by the Government for housing in the designated eco-towns.