Bramall Construction - Apartments

The Porotherm system has been used to help a new housing development reach Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4. The £3.7m Hunters Gate scheme from Peaks and Plains Housing provides 36 two-bedroom apartments at affordable rents for people in Handforth, Cheshire. The Government’s Homes and Communities Agency provided £1.8m of funding and the scheme was officially opened by Chancellor of the Exchequer and local MP George Osborne. The project, built by Bramall Construction North West, comprises two three-storey blocks, housing 12 and 24 apartments respectively. A combination of sustainable building materials and mechanical systems were employed to hit the Code Level 4 target, including the use of Porotherm for structural and cavity walls, Xtratherm insulation and an air source heat pump system which provides heating and hot water to all the flats.

The construction team specified Porotherm for both its laying speed and to maximise the points available under the materials section of the Code. Used in conjunction with 100mm insulation and Wienerberger’s Terca Woodland Mixture facing brick, the walls achieve a U-value of 0.18wmk. It is anticipated the thermal efficiency of the walls will help reduce heating costs for residents in the apartments over the longer term.