World-wide significance in the Blenheim solar subdivision

Press, 1 June 1985, Page 19

World-wide significance in the Blenheim solar subdivision

By

CAROLE van GRONDELLE

Being driven along the rutted, uneven ground of Blenheim’s “Wither Run,”'sympathising somewhat with the frazzled passenger in the Barry Crump four-wheel-drive advertisement, I it 1 was ( hard to imagine that this brown and barren expanse of land Would one day yield a residential I subdivision of international importance. V It is the site 'of what will be a unique subdivision in New Zealand, based on low energy and passive solar energy principles. The development, which is being organised and promoted by the Blenheim Borough Council, with Ministry of Energy assistance, is a total package: the plan entails not just the building of passive solar' houses, but it is also aimed at significantly reducing transport and fuel costs within the community through the careful linkage of commercial, industrial, and residential sectors.

Although the concept is not new — the township of Davis, California, was built along such lines in the early 1970 s — its size, encompassing 700-plus sections, makes it of world significance. The Wither Run development is on an 80-hectare stretch of farmland at the base of the Wither Hills, immediately to the south of Blenheim. The land was bought in 1972 by the council along with 300 hectares of surrounding hill country. Two small conventional subdivisions have since been built, and afforestation and landscaping have also begun. The subdivision under this new energy-efficient plan will continue to look conventional from ground level, but will nevertheless include many improvements in energy technology. Its aim is td provide a

warmer, more comfortable, economic, and attractive environment for residents.

Blenheim’s senior town planner, Mr Rodney Witte, is quick to point out that there are “no high tech or magic formulae” involved in the plan. The principles are basic and commonsense.

Of primary importance is the fact that sections will be divided lengthwise along the east-west axis so that house facades can be faced to the north for maximum sun. Sections will also be arranged to reduce the likelihood of one house shading another. Prospective residents will be encouraged to build passive solar houses, with attention given to the means of storing heat inside the house, primarily through the use of high density building materials, and insulation against heat loss. East and west windows will also be minimised to prevent overheating in summer.

Four sections have been set aside for demonstration passive solar houses as part of an early community awareness programme. The subdivision will be laid out in an extensive network of pedestrian and bicycle pathways. This is designed not only for convenience and safety (due to a minimum of intersections with vehicle traffic routes), but will also act as a petrol saver by giving people a safe and convenient alternative to using their cars for short trips. Last, but by no means least, extensive landscaping and tree plantation of the.entire area has been planned from, the beginning —

an unusual feature for most developments the world over. Under the direction of a forestry consultant, Mr Paul Millen, this is aimed at providing much needed shelter from the prevailing nor’west wind, shade, and an established green environment by the time people come to build their houses. Care will also be taken to ensure that tall trees will be planted on the north side of roads so their shadows fall on the roads and not on the north-facing houses. Over the last two years, $150,000 worth of trees have been planted, and another $50,000 has just been approved by the council for future planting. By the end of this planting season, more than 60,000 trees will have been planted in the threeyear period, Mr Millen says. An impressive variety of tree species are beginning to dot the otherwise bleak outline of the Wither Hills, including nut and fruit, olive, blackwoods, and many types of eucalyptus. A smooth transition between the landscaped urban environment of the subdivision and the rural environment of the surrounding hill country is aimed at with the degree of afforestation being planned. As it is, the New Zealand Walkways system exists in the area and it is hoped the recreational use of the land will be greatly enhanced. ' Initial enthusiasm for the passive solar subdivision came from the Blenheim borough engineer,' Mr Keith Cloughly, long an advocate of low energy developments. The idea was given impetus wjgferi the coun-

cil’s town planner, Mr Witte, attended a seminar on passive solar and energy efficient house design organised by the Ministry , of Energy at Lincoln College last November. The consultant forester with the council, Mr Millen, was then brought in on the idea, and within barely four months ah inch-thick comprehensive report on the Wither Run development was delivered to Blenheim borough councillors for consideration. In late March, the proposal was given unanimous council approval. From such a rapid beginning, progress has steadied down in order to gather public support, and to get necessary district scheme changes and legal safeguards (re access to the sun) for prospective buyers confirmed. Work in earnest is expected to begin next financial year.

At this stage the most concrete thing accomplished has been the “council’s acceptance to a greater or lesser extent that low energy considerations will permeate much of council’s thinking in the future,” explains Mr Witte. “The whole thing ,is still really just grid-lines on paper.” Nevertheless, initial publicity in Blenheim has attracted an enthusiastic response. A “Design for the Sun” seminar held in the town in late March for builders and architects was well attended; and a public meeting of interested citizens held recently attracted about 80 people, in spite of being on a Saturday night! Mr Witte is also receiving a constant stream of telephone calls from interested people around the country.

Informing the public and

ally promoting the benefits of passive solar living will be given a professional touch later in the year when a new council position of “community energy co-ordinator” will be filled. He or she will have the task of auditing the council’s own energy operations, educating real estate agents, developers and prospective buyers about the features of Wither Run, and providing information on how existing home-owners in Blenheim can adapt and modify their houses to passive solar design.

Mr Witte and Mr Millen acknowledge the great deal of support and assistance given by the Ministry of Energy, particularly the technical expertise given through the Ministry’s Auckland-based consultant, Pacific Energy Design. Messrs David Breuer and Joel Swisher of P.E.D. not only co-authored the relevant chapters in the council report, they have also been responsible for conducting the Ministry’s passive solar seminars being held throughout the country.

The Blenheim project is perhaps the most important part of an ongoing national programme being sponsored by the Ministry for demonstrating, educating, and promoting the benefits of passive solar housing and energy efficiency. It is hoped Blenheim will lead the way for similar comprehensive projects to be developed in New Zealand in the future.

As the Mayor of Blenheim, Mr Philip Taylor, points out, the passive solar design is cost-effective. The Ministry of Energy staff worked out that, at today’s costs, $150,000 worth of power could be saved a year in the subdivision. This would obviously include less need for electricity for home-

heating purposes — an important bonus when electricity costs are constantly increasing. It would also have an important impact on air pollution, with fewer wood and coal burning fires required for home heating. Not least, warmth and comforts of pas-

sive solar living are perhaps beyond measure, Mr Taylor says. He believes that Blenheim is -an ideal spot for a subdivision of this type, with its high rate of sunshine hours. He has only praise for the council staff which has pushed the idea along. “They were the right the right time,” he adds.

The council fully recognises how essential such foresight in energy conservation is for the sake of New Zealand’s future. “We have got to plan not for tomorrow but for 10 years ahead,” the Mayor says. “We have to be prepared for (he