Stewart Milne Homes is taking a step towards Scotland’s green future with a collection of pioneering properties designed to create the first ‘eco standard’ Code Level four homes suitable for the mainstream housing market.

Created as part of a groundbreaking UK-wide initiative, dedicated to taking new homes to the next stage of low energy housing, the properties in Aberdeen and Prestonpans will be the project’s first in Scotland.

The £6.4m project, known as AIMC4, was established to create affordable and consumer friendly homes market-wide, which meet Level four of the Code for Sustainable Homes. Co-funded by the Technology Strategy Board, the project comprises a consortium of industry leading developers and experts, working together to achieve this goal.

Stewart Milne Homes has focused on a solution that does not rely on standard green technologies, such as solar panels and wind turbines, which can be costly for a homeowner to maintain.

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The result is a competitively priced, traditionally designed home with advanced green benefits built-in, which will lead the way in housing for the future.

Commenting on the announcement, John Slater, Stewart Milne Group managing director – Homes, said: "We are very excited to be leading such an innovative project and taking this significant step forward to developing low energy homes that both meet consumers needs and priorities but also the governments requirements to reduce carbon and energy in house building.

"The country has ambitious targets for a zero carbon future and we were keen to ensure we can meet the carbon agenda as well as design homes that consumers want to live in. The AIMC4 project will help to create a gradual change, creating greener homes that remain desirable and affordable.

"We have worked very closely with the local authorities to gain planning permissions and have received positive feedback from councils wishing to be involved. Once completed, the homes will be tried and tested over 12 months to provide us with valuable first-hand evaluations that will help inform our next steps toward the future of low carbon housing."

Stewart Milne Homes has secured planning consent for five homes at two developments in Aberdeen and Prestonpans, plus a further three in Preston, Lancashire. Two large, detached family homes will be constructed at the housebuilder’s flagship development, Leathan Fields, in Portlethen with a further three to be introduced to its Athena Grange development in Prestonpans. Stewart Milne Homes will also be working in partnership with a social housing partner in Preston to build another three homes.

Across the UK, the consortium's developer partners will be building a total of 17 homes which meet the Code's low carbon regulations.

(GK/BMcC)