Eco-friendly homes for Chivenor Marines

DEFENCE Estates (DE) has completed 10 new eco-friendly houses at Royal Marines Base (RMB) Chivenor – helping a forces families to save money, reduce their carbon footprint and enjoy a more comfortable home. Working with industry partner Debut Services,

DEFENCE Estates (DE) has completed 10 new 'eco-friendly' houses at Royal Marines Base (RMB) Chivenor - helping a forces' families to save money, reduce their carbon footprint and enjoy a more comfortable home.

Working with industry partner Debut Services, DE has provided the properties with a highly 'green' specification. This means they meet exacting eco-standards - Level 4 on the national Code for Sustainable Homes.

The 10 new semi-detached, four-bedroomed family houses provide accommodation to support the forecast increase in numbers of 24 Commando Engineer Regiment (24 CER) in the near future.

24 CER, based at RMB Chivenor, is a fighting force of Commando trained Royal Engineers, optimised as an amphibious formation with the unique ability to rapidly deploy around the world in support of 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines.

With a hybrid timber frame structure, brick and timber cladding and a concrete tile roof, the new properties are very well insulated. They have been designed to optimise energy efficiency and incorporate various sustainable features such as a solar panel water heating system linked to a low energy gas boiler.

Water conservation measures include the provision of water buttes for rainwater collection, meters and flow restrictors.

The outside of the houses was designed to withstand the windy location and exceed Building Regulations requirements for air-tightness and thermal insulation. During the construction phase pre-fabrication of some elements was carried out off-site which reduced waste and facilitated more rapid construction.