Parc Eirin homes to be part of national research project
Residents of Parc Eirin are invited to participate in an exciting research project which is looking at people’s experiences of living well in low carbon homes.
The four-year social science research project is being run by Cardiff University and is part of the Active Buildings Centre Research Programme, funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (as part of UKRI Transforming Construction Challenge).
The ‘Living Well in Low Carbon Homes’ researchers are aiming to find out what people are hoping for from their low carbon home, how aware they are of environmental issues such as climate change and whether or not this influenced their decision to move to their current home. The researchers are also keen to speak to people whose decision to move to Parc Eirin was not related to the low carbon nature of the buildings.
Dr Kate O’Sullivan, Research Associate, told us: “We believe that understanding the experiences of residents will be crucial if wider rollout of active homes is to be successful. By taking part in our research and sharing their views, Parc Eirin residents have the opportunity to give an insight into what it is like to live in a low carbon home, which can help to improve this and future developments.”
Elfed Roberts, Head of Sustainability and Innovation at Pobl, said: “Carbon cutting is one of our central ambitions at Pobl, on our route to becoming a net zero organisation. Building low-carbon, truly sustainable homes such as the ones at Parc Eirin is one of the key ways in which we will achieve this. This research provides an exciting opportunity to hear from the people who are living in these homes and learn from their experiences, and I would encourage people to take part.”
If you live at Parc Eirin and would like to get involved, then the research team would love to hear from you.
The interviews will last for approximately one hour, taking place on video conferencing software or by telephone and will be like an informal conversation. Participants are offered £30 as a thank you for each interview. The researchers will then contact you again in about 12 months’ time for a further interview to find out whether or not your home has lived up to your expectations, changes to lifestyle since living at Parc Eirin, and any improvements you can suggest.
If you are interested in signing up to take part, please contact Dr Kate O’Sullivan by emailing OSullivanKM1@cardiff.ac.uk or calling 07813 402 193.
Parc Eirin is a partnership between Pobl Group, Morganstone, Sero and Tirion Homes to develop a total of 225 two-, three- and four-bedroom low carbon homes with a mixture of for sale and for rental properties. The scheme has been supported by funding through the Welsh Government’s Innovative Housing Programme, to demonstrate and promote the delivery of low carbon homes within Wales.
You can find out more about Parc Eirin and register your interest in homes for sale or for rent at the development by visiting www.parceirin.co.uk
