Sky Developments - Press - Ritchie welcomes Minister Gormley at 'green' home.

Ritchie welcomes Minister Gormley at 'green' home.

07 December 2009

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE DEPARTMENT FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT NI

Ritchie welcomes Minister Gormley at 'green' home.

Minister for Social Development, Margaret Ritchie today welcomed the Irish Environment Minister, John Gormley, to an energy efficient home in Holywood.

Both Ministers attended the first anniversary of Northern Ireland's pioneering carbon neutral home, which used just £160 of electricity last year.

The Ministers also used the opportunity to discuss a range of all island housing issues.

Minister Ritchie said: "I would like to welcome Minister Gormley to view some of our latest housing technologies and discuss sharing best practice across administrations.

"Whilst our respective housing markets have their own individual characteristics, there is a commonality in many of the problems we face. What better way to proceed than by sharing experiences and identifying new and innovative solutions."
The 'green house', as it is dubbed by its owners, showcases the innovative, energy saving technologies that are being used to drive down costs, many of which are being incorporated into new social housing in the North.

After touring the building Minister Ritchie added: "After one year in operation, we have real housing data to analyse and know that it is possible to deliver significant reductions in both our carbon footprint and energy bills.

"Sky Developments is to be congratulated on leading the way with this impressive, innovative housing project which shows what is possible here and now. Since April 2008, all social housing has been designed to Level 3 of the Code for Sustainable Homes, making them 25% more efficient than ever before."

Following the visit to Holywood, Minister Ritchie and Minister Gormley met in Parliament Buildings to discuss the recent British Irish Council Housing Ministers' meeting.

Minister Gormley said: "I welcome the significant efforts being taken by both administrations to ensure that new residential construction projects, including social housing stock, were being designed and built to high energy efficiency and sustainable development standards.

"Like Minister Ritchie, I believe that we must continue to seek to reduce emissions from the residential sector. A key challenge for us all in the years ahead will be the mainstreaming of high energy efficiency performance in the residential sector and across all sectors of the building industry."

Notes to editors:
1. Northern Ireland's first carbon neutral home in Holywood Co.Down is a private sector, five bedroom, 2,300 sq ft property, built by Sky Developments, costing little to run. The electricity cost for the first year was £160.
2. Media enquiries to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9496 or contact Fearghal O'Reilly on 07920 832 279. Out of office hours please contact Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 71540 and your call will be returned.