On Tuesday, members of the OPT Team visited Bourne Green, an innovative social housing project in Hook Norton. A once neglected plot of land has been transformed into an attractive and sustainable development for the 21st century, blending new design with the village’s traditional character.

Led by the Hook Norton Community Land Trust (HNCLT) in partnership with Charlie Luxton Design, Greencore Homes, Low Carbon Homes, SNRG and Cherwell District Council, the scheme includes eight affordable rental homes and four market-rate properties. Built to Passivhaus-equivalent standards, the homes feature sustainability measures including a smart electricity microgrid, renewable energy systems, and better-than-carbon-zero construction.

Extensive consultation with local residents ensured that shared amenities, such as a co-working hub, community garden and even an electric car rental scheme, were incorporated into the design. The result is a sustainable and attractive housing solution that meets local needs while setting a benchmark for future projects.

Thank you to Charlie Luxton for showing us around this forward-thinking development. To learn more about this project CLICK HERE.