Royal approval for The Meadows

The Meadows inner city neighbourhood hasn't always had the greatest press, but in recent times has been reinventing itself as something of a beacon of sustainability in the heart of the city. The Meadows Ozone Energy Services Company (MOZES), a partnership with British Gas, won £0.5m in the recent DECC Low Carbon Communities Challenge to install 55 solar PV systems on homes, 3 on primary schools and one on Arkwright Meadows Community Garden.

The 'O Zone' name came about some time ago, when the idea for a zero carbon neighbourhood first began to take hold. The original idea was that a range of energy efficiency measures, combined with a raft of renewable energy technologies could be applied to the range of housing types, ages and tenures and demonstrate appropriate local solutions to carbon emissions, fuel poverty and energy security. A large community consultation process took place in 2007 and helped get local people on board, when a large application was made to the National Lottery's Living Landmarks scheme. It didn't succeed, but did prepare the way for later breakthroughs. Meadows Partnership Trust and Nottingham Energy Partnership have been central to the process.

The story is well captured in this four minute video, which features architect Julian Marsh talking about his revolutionary Meadows home.

In addition to the new PV panels now adorning the Meadows skyline, a walk down the appropriately named Green Street shows a new housing development well underway. This scheme of modern, highly energy efficient 3/4 bedroom homes has been developed by (sustainable) developers Blueprint and designed by Julian's own practice.