Durham Case Study
Durham City is home to one of the most recognisable landmarks in the UK, majestic Durham Cathedral. Together with adjacent Durham Castle, this UNESCO World Heritage Site forms one of the most stunning city panoramas in Europe.
Client: Durham County Council
Contract Value: £2.142m
Project Size: 226 properties
EWI System: Structherm EWI
Finish: ArtBrick Stone & ArtBrick Standard
Project Background
Durham County covers a large geographical area and is full of small, remote villages that do not have mains gas and which contain large numbers of properties that have proved difficult and expensive to insulate and improve. Many of the villages are ex-colliery communities and/or ex-limestone quarry areas with older housing styles built during the heyday of these industries to accommodate their workforce.
A large proportion of the housing was constructed pre-1920 and their walls are built without a cavity, i.e. solid. This, by today’s standard, is a very inefficient construction method and must be remedied if the UK is to achieve its 2050 ‘Net Zero emissions’ target. The obvious solution is to insulate the properties externally, however a high percentage of the dwellings are of stone construction and are considered ‘planning sensitive’.
The combination of these attributes thrusts a high percentage of the local population into fuel poverty and reduced living standards through condensation, mould growth and cold. To exacerbate the issue further, the vast majority of this housing is of private tenure following the sale of the properties at discounted prices when the collieries were closed.
Outcomes:
- High quality stone effect finish applied on time and efflorescence free (Even when working through the winter).
- Attracted ERDF ‘innovation’ funding for Durham County Council.
- Revived and allowed an otherwise impossible project to go ahead.
- Complete restoration of the historical heritage of the dwellings and surrounding areas.
- Finishes were tweaked on site to allow individual styles and colours of stone in differing areas without delaying the contract.
- Far less expensive, quicker to apply and less disturbance to occupants than internal wall insulation.
- Hundreds of homes made warmer and more attractive.
- Feel good factor created to establish and reinforce communities.
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Westdale
Doncaster Road, Askern, Doncaster, DN6 9JD
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