Gedling Green

Gedling Green, developed by Keepmoat, is one of the UK’s first large-scale housing developments designed and built to meet the Government’s Future Homes Standard, setting a benchmark for the next generation of low-carbon housing.

 

Built on the former Gedling Colliery site, the development comprises 33 two, three and four-bedroom homes that are designed to exceed an 80% reduction in operational carbon emissions compared with the 2013 Building Regulations, with monitored performance demonstrating reductions of up to 91%.

As one of the first developments of homes for sale built to Future Homes Standard principles, Gedling Green provides homeowners with healthier, more comfortable and resilient homes that are net zero ready. The project is also the subject of a two-year research programme led by Birmingham City University’s Centre for Future Homes, which is monitoring energy performance, occupant comfort and operational efficiency to help inform future building regulations and policy.

The homes embrace a fabric-first approach, combining a high-performing building envelope with electric heating technologies including air source heat pumps, solar PV panels, smart hot water cylinders, underfloor heating and effective whole-house ventilation. Together these systems reduce reliance on fossil fuels while creating homes that are efficient, comfortable and economical to operate.

Achieving this level of performance required every element of the building envelope to minimise heat loss and eliminate thermal bridging. Structural openings were a critical part of this strategy.

 

IG Lintels supplied a range of high-performance lintel solutions specifically designed to support the enhanced thermal requirements of Future Homes Standard construction, including:

• Thermally efficient cavity wall lintels supporting enhanced insulation zones
• Bespoke lintels for wider structural openings created by increased wall thicknesses
• Hi-Therm+ lintels incorporating an innovative polymer thermal break to significantly reduce thermal bridging
• Standard steel lintels designed to integrate with airtight construction detailing

Working closely with Keepmoat and the design team, IG Lintels ensured every lintel solution contributed towards the project’s demanding thermal, structural and airtightness targets.

 

Technical Challenges and Solutions

1. Eliminating Thermal Bridging

Future Homes Standard homes demand exceptional thermal performance, making the reduction of heat loss through junctions a key design priority.

Keepmoat adopted 150mm cavity walls filled with mineral wool insulation alongside high-performance double glazing to create a highly insulated building envelope. To complement this, IG’s Hi-Therm+ lintels were specified throughout the development.

Unlike traditional steel lintels, the Hi-Therm+ range incorporates an integrated polymer thermal break that dramatically reduces heat transfer across the cavity. The result is Psi values as low as 0.03–0.06 W/mK, delivering thermal performance up to five times better than conventional steel lintels while helping maintain continuity of insulation around window and door openings.

These independently assessed details formed part of the project’s Recognised Construction Details™ strategy for demonstrating compliance with Part L.

 

2. Supporting Enhanced Building Fabric

The fabric-first philosophy extended beyond insulation thickness.

Constructed using non-combustible brick, blockwork, concrete roof tiles and mineral wool insulation, the homes are designed to remain warm during winter, cool during summer and resilient to the changing climate.

With cavity widths increased to 150mm, IG developed bespoke lintels capable of spanning deeper wall constructions without compromising structural performance. The one-piece lintel design also enhanced structural integrity while simplifying installation.

 

3. Delivering Airtight Construction

Exceptional airtightness was fundamental to achieving Future Homes Standard performance.

IG Lintels worked closely with Keepmoat’s technical team to ensure lintel installation integrated seamlessly with airtight membranes and plaster systems, maintaining continuity of the air barrier around every opening.

This collaborative approach helped the development achieve a 100% score in the NHBC Construction Quality Review process, demonstrating that quality of installation is just as important as product performance.

 

4. Enabling Low-Carbon Homes

The highly insulated building envelope works in partnership with the homes’ low-carbon technologies.

Solar PV panels generate renewable electricity, while intelligent hot water cylinders learn occupants’ usage patterns to heat only the water required, reducing both energy use and carbon emissions. Air source heat pumps provide efficient space heating and hot water, while underfloor heating improves comfort and maximises internal space. Effective mechanical ventilation maintains excellent indoor air quality, ensuring homes remain healthy as well as energy efficient.

By reducing unwanted heat loss through the building fabric, IG’s Hi-Therm lintels help these systems operate more efficiently, lowering running costs and supporting the transition away from fossil fuels.

 

Project Impact

Gedling Green demonstrates how careful structural detailing and collaborative design can help deliver the Future Homes Standard at scale.

Key project outcomes include:

• Designed to achieve over an 80% reduction in operational carbon emissions compared with 2013 Building Regulations, with monitored performance reaching up to 91%.
• High-performance Hi-Therm+ lintels significantly reduced thermal bridging across structural openings.
• 150mm cavity wall construction enabled enhanced insulation and improved whole-building thermal performance.
• Lower energy consumption and reduced household running costs through improved fabric efficiency.
• Homes that are healthier, more comfortable and resilient, maintaining warmth in winter and reducing overheating in summer.
• A 100% NHBC Construction Quality Review score, highlighting the importance of quality, collaboration and attention to detail.
• Valuable performance data generated through Birmingham City University’s Centre for Future Homes research programme to help shape future regulations.
• Homes designed for a lifespan of at least 150 years, providing adaptable, climate-resilient housing for future generations.

Gedling Green demonstrates that advanced structural components such as IG’s Hi-Therm+ lintels play a fundamental role in delivering genuinely future-ready homes, supporting a fabric-first approach that combines sustainability, durability, comfort and buildability.

 

Engineer Testimonial

“Keepmoat Homes are a long-standing IG Lintels customer and have been working with IG for over 11 years. We frequently specify the IG 150mm Hi-Therm Range because the products play a significant part in ensuring thermal efficiency and support our fabric-first approach. Keepmoat and IG Lintels have developed a core set of approved details and product ranges, allowing house types to be scheduled within site-specific quotations for a quick and efficient ordering service.”

Mark Hutchings, Technical Engineer, IG Lintels

 

Industry Testimonial

“Our primary aim was to deliver high-quality homes, avoid unintended consequences and evaluate the lived experience of residents. The quality and performance of these homes is exceptional and is a testament to the collaborative approach of all the stakeholders involved in this groundbreaking project.

I have worked with the Keystone Group for many years both in my role as CEO of the Building Alliance and as a Visiting Professor at Birmingham City University’s Centre for Future Homes. I admire the team’s commitment to customer service, innovation and quality. Attention to detail was the hallmark of the Keepmoat Future Homes Standard Demonstrator, including the need to address thermal bridging. I had no hesitation in recommending Keystone’s Hi-Therm+ lintels and greatly valued the outstanding technical support they provided.”

Mike Leonard, CEO, Building Alliance