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North east company is pioneer of first green homes development
A local entrepreneur has formed a pioneering development company that is building eco-friendly homes with
massive energy saving benefits. Construction work is almost complete on the company’s first residential scheme,
which is located off Front Street in Murton.
The development, Murton House Mews, boasts six houses and four apartments. Each home is being built using
revolutionary EPS foam building blocks which are filled with concrete to provide a solid durable structure,
providing vastly superior insulation compared to traditional bricks.
Matthew Thoburn (pictured), Founder and Director of the company, Carbon Logix Limited, comments, "We are
delighted to be building our first scheme here at Murton. We’ve worked long and hard to source the kind of
materials that we know will conserve energy so that not only will home owners reduce their heating bills massively,
but they are safe in the knowledge that they are minimising their carbon footprint. We will be repeating this
recipe across the region, and are very excited about the potential for expansion."
Fellow Director of Carbon Logix, Steven Lenehan who has 25 years construction industry experience gained
working for companies such as Alfred McAlpine and John Laing comments: "These building blocks are unique and
boast properties never seen before in a brick. When you add in the rainwater harvesting and solar panels that
will be used, this housing development will be the greenest not just in the region, but in the North of England."
Matthew Thoburn adds: "The government has ordered that by 2016 all new homes must be carbon neutral (*),
and we see this as a great opportunity to assist councils and local authorities in the region with meeting
these targets. We fully intend leading the way in the provision of carbon-neutral homes for tomorrow, and would
welcome any opportunities from third parties who may wish to develop land for residential purposes."
Homes at Murton House Mews start at £99,950 for a two-bedroom property. Local commercial agent Michael
Hodgson of Sunderland is marketing the scheme.
Full marks for Yorkshire companies' green build - School project uses pioneering energy saving build system
Two Yorkshire companies are working in partnership to make a local independent school the first in the UK to
benefit from a revolutionary building system that radically reduces energy bills.
Harrogate-based LaRock Construction has teamed up with Leeds and Durham-based Carbon Logix to build a £1 million
extension at Cundall Manor School near York.
The building, which will house 11 classrooms, two science laboratories, sports changing rooms and a staff room,
is being constructed using a pioneering system from Carbon Logix based on insulated concrete forms (ICFs). These are
constructed of lightweight polystyrene blocks which are then filled with concrete to provide a durable, highly
efficient thermal structure. The blocks prevent heat loss thereby significantly reducing an occupier’s energy usage.
Graham Gill, director of Carbon Logix comments: "This is the first commercial project that we have carried out,
having been focused previously on the private residential and social housing markets where government regulations
are stipulating that all new properties be carbon neutral by 2016. We are delighted to be assisting LaRock in the
construction process at Cundall Manor where our two respective teams have worked very well together. Our ICF product
offers a wealth of benefits, and our contract here marks a move into the commercial build sector where sustainability
issues are becoming an important issue, and where we can provide a real solution."
Damian Lawrance, managing director of LaRock Construction adds: "The green agenda is something that all construction
companies are having to think about very carefully, and we are very proud to be delivering such an environmentally
responsible project. It’s also great news for the school who will be benefiting from consistently low heating bills
in the years to come."
Visit www.larock.co.uk for further information.
Joint venture announced at GreenbuildEXPO, One Stop Shop created for green build requirements
Logix UK and Carbon Green Design and Build announce the launch of a joint venture design & build operation, at
GreenbuildEXPO. The new venture "Carbon Logix" will offer RSLs, residential and commercial developers a "full
package build" solution using Logix ICFs™.
Poole-based Logix UK are manufacturers of Logix insulated concrete forms (ICFs), the proven system of interlocking
insulation blocks, with a solid concrete core. Over the last 30 years the system has developed and proved itself to be
the ideal building method for anyone looking to build low carbon schemes.
In the UK, as the Code for Sustainable Homes raises the standards required of new homes, Logix has seen an increase
in the number of enquiries and projects from Housing Associations and RSLs keen to benefit from the advantages Logix
ICFs™ have to offer.
In order to offer a more complete service to customers keen to benefit from constructing with Logix ICFs™, Logix UK
have teamed up with the management team of Carbon Green Design and Build. The team at Carbon Green, a North East and
Yorkshire-based developer and contractor, specialise in the provision of energy efficient buildings, and have built
up a wealth of experience building with Logix ICFs™.
Carbon Logix will comprise directors from both entities, and will offer housing associations, local authorities and
developers a comprehensive package solution to building cost effective, energy-saving schemes solutions based on Logix
ICFs™.
Director of Logix, Jonathon Barnett comments: "This new venture makes great sense in that it brings together a superb,
proven product with the ability to deliver complete solutions to clients efficiently and cost effectively. By working
with Carbon Logix, clients can have complete confidence in the product and its installation, whatever the nature of the
project, whether it’s commercial or residential."
Director of Carbon Green, Graham Gill adds: "The key to providing highly energy efficient buildings rests on the type
of fabric used, and there is nothing in the market to compete with Logix ICFs™.
"As Carbon Logix, we can provide either the basic ICF shell scheme for a project, or an entire turnkey solution
complete with ground-source heat pumps, solar power, rain-water harvesting and triple glazing components. Our greatest
strength is our flexibility and willingness to provide our clients with the right solution that meets their needs."