West Dunbartonshire Council agrees £6million deal for eco-friendly homes in Bonhill

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Eco-friendly council homes should be the focus of the future as the local authority plays its role in tackling the climate emergency, says a councillor.Ian Dickson has called on West Dunbartonshire Council chiefs to consider how the standard of new build houses can be improved to ensure the area is ahead of net zero targets.His comments came as the local authority agreed to sign a £6million contract with CCG (Scotland) Ltd for the building of the region’s first Passivhaus homes in Bonhill.Passivhaus, or “passive house” in English, is a leading design standard for eco-homes which uses less energy and cuts bills.Through use of pioneering technology at the building stage including enhanced insulation, airtightness and solar power, the homes are able to retain heat from activities like cooking, using computers or showering.These activities are then used to heat the home instead of a traditional central heating system.Supporters believe the energy-efficient model will be vital in the move towards net zero by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.According to the Energy Saving Trust, heating costs are so low for tenants of Passivhaus properties they are “far less likely” to default on their rent.Twenty-seven low-energy houses and flats will be built in Pappert, with councillors on the tendering committee last week agreeing to give the building contract to the Glasgow-based firm.

They will be a mix of two, three and four bedroom homes and there will also be nine flats.Twenty of them will be net zero homes, and seven will be built to Passivhaus standards – each costing an average of £220,000 to build.Leven SNP councillor Ian Dickson tabled a motion which was agreed by councillors, asking for a report to be brought detailing how the