Case study: Construction union UCATT has been supporting a new and green approach to social housing

UCATT is supporting the building of an environmentally friendly housing development not only because it is helping tackle climate change and fuel poverty but because the workers involved in the Wakefield and District Housing (WDH) project are getting the opportunity to develop their green skills on cutting-edge green technologies.

The 91-home Park Dale project in Airdale, Yorkshire is the UK’s largest zero carbon housing development. The homes cater for a range of ages and family sizes and were built for WDH by developers Bramalls to the highest sustainable housing standard using traditional construction methods. For example each home is connected to a central biomass boiler that uses locally produced wood pellets to provide heating and hot water; every house has a south facing roof fitted with 35m2 of photovoltaic (PV) panels to turn energy from the sun into electricity; and the air temperature in each property is regulated by a mechanical ventilation heat recovery system.

"Other local authorities and social housing providers can be doing exactly the same as us,” said WDH environmental manager Denis Doody. “It just requires vision on the part of senior management and a commitment to work in partnership with the trade unions and other organisations.”

UCATT general secretary Steve Murphy believes the project highlights a big transition occurring in the construction industry. “It demonstrates not only the massive change needed in the way people are employed in construction; but also the opportunities for retraining those with traditional skills,” he said.

Apprentices such as Luke Dickinson have had access to unique hands-on practical training in cutting-edge green technologies at Park Dale — skills they would never have acquired on a conventional building site. For example, he can now install and maintain the grey water system to flush the toilet. Dickinson and other apprentices are now helping to pass on their skills to WDH’s adult workforce.

“The project is fantastic. It is good for the environment, good for the tenants, and good for construction workers — providing them with the opportunity to develop green skills for the future. We certainly hope to see more developments like this springing up around the country,” added Murphy.