The final phase of the Janet’s Corner redevelopment in Castletown can get underway after Tynwald approved £795,000 funding for the scheme.
Work started on the estate in 2005 and Social Care Minister Chris Robertshaw said that once completed it will ‘result in a much improved estate of 208 homes built to modern standards’.
Two of the final six homes will be developed to the internationally recognised PassivHaus energy standard – a first for the island.
‘Building to the PassivHaus standard will result in significant reduction of energy use for heating and improve indoor air quality,’ Mr Robertshaw said.
‘This is achieved in part by high levels of thermal insulation, careful detailing and construction to improve the airtightness of the building fabric and the use of whole house ventilation and heat recovery.’
Building homes to the standard costs an extra £19,000 per unit, but the Minister said the advantages were ‘significant’.
He said it would be used as an opportunity for Isle of Man College construction students, and others in the industry, to ‘develop their knowledge of this form of construction and perhaps encourage the wider development and use of low energy forms of housing’.
Environment Minister Phil Gawne described the construction of homes built to the PassivHaus standard as a ‘really important step forward’, adding that it could be argued the island had been ‘a little bit slow’ to introduce them.
Economic Development Minister John Shimmin paid tribute to Dave Watterson, who brought the concept to the government’s attention.
Castletown MHK Richard Ronan said the project provided ‘much needed investment on the estate, while Middle MHK Howard Quayle said he hoped that if successful, homes to the PassivHaus standard would be built out across the island.
Work is expected to start on site next month and is due to be completed by the end of the year.