Craigmillar has been named by the Scottish Government as one of the eleven low-carbon communities of the future. The new homes in Craigmillar set a new benchmark in sustainable, urban development and are economic to run thanks to a high level of insulation and the use of a direct solar system to contribute to water heating in selected phases. And a study into combined heat and power (CHP) as an energy source will examine the potential for three local energy units to supply heat and power to parts of the new developments, including homes and schools, This could mean that residents can make savings in their power bills, reduce their environmental impact through significant carbon savings and reap the benefits of new employment opportunities.
Here is John Swinney talking about the sustainable features of ParcLife.
It is not just the homes that demonstrate the commitment to sustainability. For instance, we have pioneered 'aquaflow' permeable street paving, which allows rainwater to infiltrate through permeable concrete paving blocks into a sub-base system where it is cleaned at the source, rather than collecting the run-off water and subsequently treating it.
In recognition of this ParcLife has been awarded The Sustainable Communities Awards 2009, run by the Local Government Chronicle and Health Service Journal in association with DEFRA. The City of Edinburgh Council and PARC were highly commended at the ceremony for their work in Craigmillar. The Council, together with PARC, was the only Scottish local authority shortlisted in the Regeneration category at the LGC & HSJ Sustainable Communities Awards 2009. The News section has the full regeneration awards story.