The Gateshead Housing Standard for Ageing Well

Having access to good quality housing supports us to age well. A good quality home is one that provides a decent standard of living but also considers the energy efficiency of a home so that it is designed, constructed, or retrofitted to minimise energy consumption while maintaining a comfortable and healthy living environment. This section identifies what good quality, energy efficient homes should consist of. 

86% of survey respondents said that it was very important that their home is good quality.

80% said it was very important that their home is energy efficient.

Good quality

The Decent Homes standard 

Our homes should be places that we are proud of. Decent Homes Standard sets minimum quality standards for social homes, including meeting statutory housing standards, reasonable state of repair, modern facilities, and thermal comfort. 

We want all homes across Gateshead to meet the Decent Homes Standard as a minimum but expect this standard to be used in conjunction with the other design principles highlighted in section 3 so that our homes go beyond the Decent Homes Standard requirements. 

The Gateshead Housing Strategy 2019-2030 (PDF, 815 KB)(opens new window)highlights our ambition to improve the quality, condition and management of housing so that all residents benefit from safe, healthy, energy efficient, and well-managed homes and local environment. As well as to drive up the quality of new-build design, space standards, accessibility and adaptability. 

"Good quality, well-built homes that are future proofed for the next generation"- Gateshead resident 

Energy efficiency

Homes for older people need to be as energy efficient as possible; this is particularly important given the current cost of living 'crisis' which has seen a huge increase in energy bills. 

The previous UK government's Net Zero Strategy: Build Back Greener (opens new window) requires social housing providers to achieve a C rating on Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) by 2035 to meet the net-zero-carbon challenge and achieve net-zero by 2050. 

Gateshead's Housing Strategy 2019-2030 (PDF, 815 KB) wants to achieve improved energy efficiency of the housing stock, to help reduce fuel poverty and help meet climate change obligations and targets and has a target of 60% of existing properties to have a SAP rating of 65 or greater by 2020, and all homes by 2030. 

"I want my home to have a low carbon footprint. The cost of fuel at the moment is staggering and our homes need to be energy efficient" - Gateshead resident 

The Future Homes Standard (opens new window)

This standard aims for new homes built from 2025 to produce 75-80% less carbon emissions. Updated Building Regulations require adherence to new standards for ventilation, energy efficiency, airtightness, and insulation. Once this standard is implemented, we want new homes built from 2025 to meet the future home standard. 

Passivhaus (opens new window)

Passivhaus, a low-energy building standard, which originated in Germany. It emphasises super insulation, energy-efficient windows, stringent airtightness, ventilation with heat recovery, minimal thermal bridging, and optimisation of passive solar gain. It aims to reduce energy consumption significantly compared to standard UK new builds. 

These standards collectively address the quality, energy efficiency, and sustainability of homes, emphasising safety, comfort, and environmental responsibility. We recognise that building to Passivhaus is challenging and it is not going to be possible in many cases but there are elements of the standard that can be applied. We look favourably on developments that consider implementing Passivhaus standards. 

Case study: Gateshead Innovation Village (opens new window)
The Gateshead Innovation Village tested a range of modern methods of construction and smart and energy-efficient technologies all on one site, creating a new community with a strong identity comprising 41 homes for affordable rent. A combination of 16 volumetric houses, 19 modular houses and 6 traditional houses were constructed. The Government's 2025 Future Homes standard has already been achieved on the project, positively impacting on the transition to carbon zero. The installation of ground source heat pumps, thermal stores, air source heat pumps and infra-red electric heaters enables a comparison between heat source and house types to determine the most energy efficient and cost-effective combinations. All of the homes are fully occupied with positive feedback received from residents living in this new community, many of whom are reporting reduced fuel bills. 

Case study: Edwards Court, Exeter (opens new window)
The UK's first Passivhaus extra care housing scheme, Exeter City Council's Edward's Court extra care scheme provides 53 one (43) and two (10) bedroom mixed tenure apartments. Designed to encourage community and companionship among its residents and neighbours, a variety of communal areas are interspersed throughout the building, on the rooftop, and in the garden walkways and terraces. To meet Exeter City Council's demanding sustainability and health and wellbeing standards, the low-energy Passivhaus design also helps address fuel poverty by radically cutting heating bills and is climate-proofed to 2080. 

The scheme has also been designed to address the needs of residents with dementia, including: 

• Spaces for safe wandering, with no dead-end corridors or repetitive spaces 

• Connective areas and corridors with distinctive changes of direction, resting places and windows, communal and break-out areas 

• Colour and texture to support wayfinding 

• A viewing window from each flat into the corridor space for personalisation and to aid recognition 

Case study:St John's Almshouse, Lichfield (opens new window)
St. John's Almshouse, is a Passivhaus certified housing scheme for older people in Lichfield, completed in August 2017. The existing Grade I listed buildings date from 1495 and the new 21st century development comprises 18 new flats contained within two separate buildings, which are arranged around a new landscaped courtyard. The Almshouse meets many of the HAPPI design principles. The apartments are accessed via oak framed walkways and circulation towers (stairs and lifts to all upper floor apartments) which are located externally, aiding way finding and providing semiprivate spaces where residents can meet and socialise informally.  The apartments are all designed around generous entrance halls with open plan kitchen and living spaces and spacious bedrooms. They can all be accessed by wheelchair and each has been sized to allow suitable turning space throughout. The design of the scheme as well as the fixtures and fittings have been carefully chosen to provide a homely feel, including in the wet rooms where the trustees were keen to avoid an institutional appearance whilst providing facilities suitable for elderly residents and future adaptation specifically for wheelchair users. It also provides communal gardens which invite residents to get involved in community food growing or to sit under the large undercover Pavilion and seating area.