European Regional Development Fund

European Regional Development Fund INTERREG IIIB Community Initiative Concerning Transnational Co-operation On Spatial Planning 2000-2006 INTERREG IIIB NORTH-WEST EUROPE APPLICATION FORM PART A – PROJECT CONTENT and MANAGEMENT

Project Title & Acronym STAPLE Sustainable Territorial Applications for Planning, Learning and Environmental protection. Project Idea Number 0427 Start Date October 2002 Project Registration End Date June 2007 Number Registration date Duration 54 months Date of decision by PSC

Notation To be completed by Applicant Fields completed by the Secretariat Signature and Stamp of Lead Partner after printing

This form must be completed in ONE of the four NWE official languages. If that language is not English, an English version of the Application Form must be submitted in addition to the original version. In the event of differences between versions, the English version will be the reference.

DO NOT send any extra documents other than the officially required Annexes listed at the end of Part A of the Application Form. Any extra documents sent by applicants in addition to the official annexes will NOT be considered in the assessment of the project and will be returned to the Lead Partner.

A paper copy AND a digital version of the Application Form on a CD-Rom or floppy disk must be returned by post to: INTERREG IIIB NWE Secretariat ENO Les Caryatides, 5ème étage 24 Boulevard Carnot 59800 Lille FRANCE Tel: + 33 3 20 78 55 00 Fax: + 33 3 20 55 65 95

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 1 Please ensure that the printed Application Form is identical to the digital version.

SECTION 1 – PROJECT PARTNERSHIP

1.1 List of Project Partners

List all partners in the project starting with the Lead Partner.

Partner 1 – Lead Partner Institution Cork County Council Legal Status* Local Public Authority Address Cork County Council Offices, Annabella Postal Code IRL Town Mallow, Co. Cork Country Ireland Phone (office) +353-22-21123 Phone +353-86-8037362 (mobile) Fax +353-22-43035 E-mail [email protected] Contact Person Ger Cotter

Bank Details

Bank Name Allied Irish Bank

* Please select between: National Public Authority / Regional Public Authority / Local Public Authority / Non-Profit Organisation / Private Enterprise / Research Institution / University. Profit-making private institutions cannot be Lead Partners of INTERREG IIIB NWE funded projects.

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 2 Address 66, South Mall Postal Code IRL Town Cork Country Ireland Account No/IBAN 80919018/ IE37 AIBK 93417880919018 SWIFT Code 93 41 78 National Bank IE 37 Code Internal Reference Holder of Cork County Council Account Is the Partner located in an Objective Yes 1 area?

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 3 Partner 2 Institution Blackwater Resource Development Legal Status* Non Profit Organisation Address “The Showgrounds” Postal Code IRL Town Fermoy, Co. Cork Country Ireland Phone (office) +353-25-33411 Phone +353-87-6866879 (mobile) Fax +353-25-33422 E-mail [email protected] Contact Person Niamh Twomey Is the Partner located in an Objective Yes 1 area?

Partner 3 Institution Housing Association of Delftwonen Legal Status* Non Profit Organisation Address Postbus 268 Postal Code 2600 AG Town Delft, Country The Netherlands Phone (office) +31-15-8880500 Fax +31-15-880505 E-mail [email protected] Contact Person Bob de Rooij Is the Partner located in an Objective No 1 area?

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 4 Partner 4 Institution Devon County Council Legal Status* Local Public Authority Address Devon County Council Offices Postal Code EX 2 4QD Town Exeter Country UK Phone (office) +44-1392-383220 Phone (mobile) Fax +44-1392-382849 E-mail [email protected] Contact Person Steve Batt Is the Partner located in an Objective No 1 area?

Partner 5 Institution Gwalia Housing Association Legal Status* Non Profit Organisation Address 10-13 The Kingsway Postal Code SA1 5 JN Town Swansea, Country Wales, UK Phone (office) +44-179-2646626 Phone (mobile) Fax +44-1792-469566 E-mail [email protected] Contact Person Phil Roberts Is the Partner located in an Objective Yes 1 area?

If you have more than 20 partners, please contact the Joint Technical Secretariat for an extended Application Form (Part A and B).

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 5 1.2 Project Management

Who will be the Project Manager within the Lead Partner organisation? Contact Person Ger Cotter Institution Cork County Council Legal Status* Local Public Authority Address Cork County Council Offices, Annabella Postal Code IRL Town Mallow, Co. Cork Country Ireland Phone (office) +353-22-21123 Phone +353+86-8037362 (mobile) Fax +353-22-43035 E-mail [email protected] Please ensure that this information is the same as that given for the individual partner.

Describe the person’s experience in project management. This section should not be longer than 1 page. Mr. Cotter is Head of the Housing Department of the Northern Division of Cork County Council. He has considerable experience in policy development, policy implementation and project management. In recent years he has been involved in the development and implementation of large housing projects in the Northern Division of Cork County Council. In his position as Head of the Housing Department he is in control of several housing projects in the Division.

Mr Cotter is a skilled project manager. He is fully briefed on all ERDF guidelines and regulations and has the capacity to ensure that the project is carried out in a professional and timely manner.

Abbreviated CV of the Project Manager

1979 – 1999 Various administrative posts with Cork County Council 1999 – 2001 Senior post with Macroom Town Council 2001 – date Head of Housing Department in Northern Division of Cork County Council Various theme-based training courses related to Housing Developments and Management.

Current Work  Daily management of the Housing Department (16 internal and 25 external staff), Spatial Development, Sustainable Development, Project Management, Estate Management, Community Development.  Various external activities (visiting lectureship, lectures, publications, conferences external involvement in StIR/IPSV, etc.)

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 6 Who will be the Financial Manager for the project? Contact Person Ger Power Institution Cork County Council Legal Status* Local Public Authority Address Cork County Council Offices, Annabella Postal Code IRL Town Mallow, Co. Cork Country Ireland Phone (office) +353-21-4285658 Phone +353+87-2367858 (mobile) Fax +353-21-4346832 E-mail [email protected] Please ensure that this information is the same as that given for the individual partner.

Describe the person’s experience in financial management. If this position is undertaken by a non-partner organisation, this must also be justified. This section should not be longer than 1 page. Mr. Power is Head of Finance of Cork County Council. He has over 20 years of experience with public financial management and control. His main objectives for the last three years have been the controlling of a wide variety of large investments as well as managing the development of new financial package for the Local Authority, which is similar to the private sector but suitable for the Public Sector.

He has the skills and authority to set up and implement an adequate project administration and information system to cover the financial protocols of the INTERREG project. Mr Power has had overall responsibility for the many EU projects, in a number of different funding programmes, e.g. SAVE, ALTENER, THERMIE, ECOS-OUVERTURE etc.

Education

1993 Qualified Accountant Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy 2000 Received Master of Arts (hons) degree in Public Management from Institute of Public Administration

Work Experience 1980 – 1992 Various administrative posts with Cork County Council 1992 – 1995 Senior post in Finance Department of Cork County Council 1996 – 1997 Head of Finance Wexford County Council 1997 – Date Head of Finance Cork County Council

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 7 Who will be the Project Co-ordinator (if different to the Project Manager)? Contact Person Niamh Twomey Institution Blackwater Resource Development Legal Status* Non Profit Organisation Address “The Showgrounds” Postal Code IRL Town Fermoy, Co. Cork Country Ireland Phone (office) +353-25-33411 Phone +353-87-6866879 (mobile) Fax +353-25-33422 E-mail [email protected] Please ensure that this information is the same as that given for the individual partner if the position of Project Co-ordinator is undertaken by a partner institution.

Describe the person’s experience in project co-ordination. If this position is undertaken by a non-partner organisation, this must also be justified. This section should not be longer than 1 page.

Niamh Twomey coordinates the Environmental development programme, with a total budget of €1.5 million, for Blackwater Resource Development, a Community Development Organisation based in North Cork.

She has over 4 years experience in the development, coordination and implementation of various environmental projects in areas such as renewable energy, waste management and sustainable building. She has also been involved in the implementation of various EU environmental programmes such as LEADER, Altener and Thermie.

She has excellent communication and organisation skills and is highly qualified to coordinate this project.

Academic Qualifications 1989-1993 B.Sc (Hon) Zoology (2.1) 1993-1994 M.Sc (Hons) Applied Environmental Science 2000-2001 Diploma in Environmental Chemistry 2002 Certificate in Permaculture Design

Work Experience

2001.2003 Environmental Development Coordinator, Blackwater Resource Development 2001.2004 Key Responsibilities:  Coordinating various environment projects in the area of training, awareness and capacity building in the community  Facilitating the development of projects on waste management and energy efficiency.  Developing specific projects around sustainable buildings

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 8 1999-2001 Technical Dept Supervisor, EF Energy, Renewable Energy Company Key Responsibilities:  Development, co-ordination and implementation of renewable energy projects  Coordinating various EU environmental programmes e.g. ALTENER and Thermie  Organising PR and promotional events

1994 – 1997 Zookeeper, Belfast Zoo, Northern Ireland Key Responsibilities:  Monitoring the behaviour, welfare and general animal husbandry of various endangered species  Organising educational and training programmes  Liaising with general public and media on endangered animal welfare and conservation.

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 9 1.3 Summary of Project Partners

Partners contributing financially, listed by institution and country. This information must be identical to that provided in Section 1.1 (same names of institutions; same order of Partners from 1 to 20).

Institution Country Partner 1: Cork County Council IRL Lead Partner Partner 2 Blackwater Resource Development IRL Partner 3 Housing Association of Delftwonen NL Partner 4 Devon County Council UK Partner 5 Gwalia Housing Association UK Partner 6 Partner 7 Partner 8 Partner 9 Partner 10 Partner 11 Partner 12 Partner 13 Partner 14 Partner 15 Partner 16 Partner 17 Partner 18 Partner 19 Partner 20 EU Member States Involved Non EU Member States Involved Belgium partner(s) Switzerland partner(s) France partner(s) Others partner(s) Germany partner(s) Ireland 2 partner(s) Luxembourg partner(s) The 1 partner(s) Netherlands United 2 partner(s) Kingdom

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 10 SECTION 2 – PROJECT DESCRIPTION

2.1 Priority and Measure

Tick the measure that best matches the strategic focus of the project (select one only)

Priority 1: An attractive and coherent system of cities, towns and regions Measure 1.1 More attractive metropolitan areas in the global and European context Measure 1.2 Coherent and polycentric pattern of complementary cities, towns and rural areas, coastal and peripheral areas

Priority 2: External and internal accessibility Measure 2.1 Sustainable mobility management Measure 2.2 Improved access to the Information Society

Priority 3: Water resources and the prevention of flood damages Measure 3.1 Land use and water systems Measure 3.2 The prevention of flood damage

Priority 4: Other natural resources and cultural heritage Measure 4.1 Stronger ecological infrastructure, reduced ecological √ footprint Measure 4.2 Protection and creative enhancement of the cultural heritage

Priority 5: Enhancing the maritime functions of NWE and promoting territorial integration across seas of NWE Measure 5.1 Promote transnational co-operation in the enhancement of maritime functions and in the development of more sustainable links between seaports and their hinterlands Measure 5.2 Facilitating co-operation across and between maritime and inland regions

PLEASE ENSURE THAT ONLY ONE MEASURE IS SELECTED FOR THE PROJECT

2.2 Type of Project Select the type of project (Action, Study or Investment

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 11 Investment)

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 12 2.3 Project Description

Issues to be addressed.

Describe the issues to be addressed. This section should NOT be longer than 3 pages. Formulation of Common Issues

The current proposal is based on Priority Measure 4.1 of the INTERREG IIIB North West Europe Programme Complement – “Stronger ecological infrastructure, reduced ecological footprint” in particular the project is based on meeting Objective 3 of this measure

Drawing up integrated strategies for a more sustainable management of territories combining economic prosperity and social inclusion with a high level of environmental protection”

What is the integrated strategy to be developed? The integrated strategy, which will be developed, is a sustainable, low impact social housing model, which can be implemented by planning and local authorities across the NW Europe region in both urban and rural areas. Planning strategies are largely resource led at present. Construction models which are sensitive to local situations and have a reduced ecological footprint will compliment existing community territorial planning strategies.

How will this contribute to more sustainable management of territories? The model will be replicable in both urban and rural areas, and will enable housing to be developed which is low impact in terms of materials and outputs will have high positive impact in terms of quality of life, long term energy reduction, waste reduction and water management.

How will this combine economic prosperity and social inclusion with a high level of environmental protection? A Task group to consider environmentally friendly construction materials was established in May 1999. (COM(97)539. According to the task group construction materials account for 3- 4% of total EU gross domestic product and the industry directly employs 2.5 million people. The construction sector is hugely important for the community and for economic prosperity.

However, the ecological impact of the sector is unsustainable.1 This project attempts to find a model, which will reduce the ecological footprint of the building industry without damage to the economic prosperity of the community. The emphasis has been placed on social housing as this sector has the most impact on people who are experiencing social exclusion.

Why these project partners? All of the participating partners in this project are linked by common challenges:-

. They are involved in the development of social housing . They are concerned about the increasing ecological impact of housing and in

1 (Anink et al, 1996, Handbook Of Sustainable Building), the construction sector is responsible for:

1. 50% of the material resources taken from nature 2. 40% of energy consumption (including energy in use) 3. 50% of total waste generated

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 13 particular that of social housing. The main issues relating to sustainable building according to the task force are:-

. Rational Use of Energy . Environmentally friendly Building Materials . Health in Buildings

. They are facing increasing pressures around issues of planning, EU and national directives as well as on-going financial pressures to ensure affordability and good value for money

. Each partner brings particular expertise and geographic representation

Cork County Council – Rational Use of Energy and Renewable Energy Sources. Rural area with threat of spreading urbanisation close to main city

Blackwater Resource Development – Community Planning and Ecological Building. Same operational areas as Cork County Council

Housing Association of Delftwonen – Noise pollution and general high building standards. High density urban area

Devon County Council – Building materials. Rural area, designated as tranquil by the Commission

Gwalia Housing Association – Training, research and sustainable building. Rural and Urban

In order to create a model that can be used in both urban and rural setting across the NW Europe area, partners from both geographic situations are participating in the project. Similarly, the expert observer network has representation from each of the NW Europe member states, from energy agencies, construction industry, technical agencies etc. These experts will be involved throughout the project through participation in task groups, conferences and research.

Based on the core common problems the partners consider that the main issue of this project can be stated as follows:-

Social Housing can be built in a way which has a greatly reduced ecological footprint and which is affordable. The model for developments of this kind can be easily replicated in North West Europe, the mainstream construction industry and the social housing sector.

One of the key challenges of all community policies and the ESDP (European Spatial Development Perspective) is marrying the twin objectives of economic and social cohesion with the ecological imperative of sustainable development. This project considers Sustainable Development to be in accordance with the definition in the United Nationals Brundtland Report “environmentally sound economic development which preserves present resources for use by future generations but also includes a balanced spatial development”

The project partners are committed to supporting the construction industry and to the provision of social housing, however, in order to avoid an ever increasing ecological deficit in the sector the project partners believe that the construction industry needs to be considered in the overall context of sustainable development which can be included in European spatial planning policies.

In order to develop an achievable project, the partnership decided to focus on three of the key priorities for sustainable construction highlighted by the commission task force.

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 14 . Rational Use of Energy . Environmentally friendly building materials . Health in Buildings (Noise Pollution)

The project partners will carry out a number of research actions, which will inform three area specific demonstration projects, in each of the partner countries. The partners will work jointly on innovative solutions for the common problems which will culminate in a model for the construction industry, which is replicable, affordable and low impact. Establishing Housing Need The construction industry is hugely important in the EU and accounts for more than 2.5 million jobs. Similarly, housing is considered to be a basic right for individuals living in the EU, Figures for the participating countries indicate that 48,413 households are in need of housing in Ireland. 2 The Roantree Foundation in the UK estimated in 2002 that demand for extra homes in the UK is now estimated at around 210,000 properties a year. A recent report by the Dutch Ministry for Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment3” stated that in the period 1998-2002 the housing shortage increased by 110,000 up to 166,000. This is 2.5% of the total housing stock.

There is therefore a social and economic imperative associated with the construction industry in Europe. However, due to the huge impact of the construction industry, a new paradigm must be established which will enable the continuation of a successful sector, provision of housing but with a greatly reduced ecological impact.

Energy Buildings are the single largest end user of energy in the European Union, responsible for between 40-45% of energy use in each Member State. Of this, the domestic sector is responsible for two thirds and the commercial (tertiary) sector for one third of buildings energy use. In homes 70% of energy usage is for space heating and cooling; around 50% is used for similar purposes in the tertiary sector.

It is generally accepted that at least one fifth of present usage could be easily eliminated, saving 340 million tonnes of carbon dioxide every year. This is around 12% of current emissions, two-thirds of the Kyoto commitment, and the equivalent of 215 millions tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe) p.a. According to para 2.2.4 of one EC document, COM997)599, "total energy consumption in this {buildings} sector could be reduced by 50% in the EU by 2010".

Many studies and projects funded by the EU have looked at the Rational use of Energy (RUE), this project will add value to these studies by creating an integrated model for the construction industry which will actively reduce energy usage.

Environmentally friendly Building Materials While the construction industry is a major contributor to economic activity within the Union the environmental impact of traditional building methods cannot be over emphasised. Roodman & Lenssen4 estimate that 3 billion tonnes of raw materials – 40% of the total flow into the global economy – are used in the manufacture of construction materials throughout the world.

In the EU, Symmonds5 (1999) has calculated that every year there is around half a tonne of core construction and demolition waste generated per person. These startling figures must be used to create a new methodology within the construction industry which will make genuine moves towards “preserving present resources for use by future generations”

Noise Pollution (Health in Buildings) Noise pollution is an ambient pollutant, which has major impacts on quality of life and

2 Department of the Environment and Local Government, Housing needs assessment 2002 3 Dutch Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment (“kernpublicatie WoningBehoefte Onderzoek 2002) 4 1995, A Building Revolution: How Ecology and Health Concerns Are Transforming Construction 5 (Symonds, 1999, Construction and Demolition Waste Management Practices And Their Economic Impact).

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 15 indeed the health of citizens. In the task force recommendations for improving the health impact of building, noise pollution is a major consideration. As noise pollution is a major determinant of housing in urban areas, the Dutch partners felt that it would be appropriate to include it in the demonstration element of the project, in order to develop innovative solutions to noise pollution in an urban setting.

Residential areas are increasingly encroaching into noisy areas as a result of increasing demands for space for housing. At the same time the demand for space must be managed carefully to protect scarce green areas in densely populated countries. Therefore it is going to become increasingly important to intensify land use in urban areas. By reducing noise pollution along rail and motorways, using innovative solutions it is possible to use these areas for urban expansion.

A recent World Health Organisation (WHO) report on noise pollution6 found that “Noise is a harmful industrial factor responsible for 15 per cent of all occupational diseases. Acoustic pollution has an unfavourable impact upon all systems of the human organism; the nervous, the cardiovascular system and the digestive apparatus are the first that suffer.” The WHO suggest that innovative solutions to reduce ambient noise pollution will have a positive affect on the health of urban populations.

Affordability and Economic Considerations Building social and other housing in a way that has a very low impact on the environment need not be overly expensive. Local and regional Authorities, the mainstream construction industry and housing associations need to be shown that there are achievable and most importantly affordable solutions to sustainable building. For public authorities who are charged to provide housing for people who are socially excluded this is a very attractive option as they usually have multiple mandates, which include environmental protection.

Successful development of this model will also increase supply side intervention, which will result in economies of scale over time and greater affordability. Creating an affordable model for sustainable low impact social housing then would appear to meet the joint imperatives of affordability/value for money and creating a building and maintenance solution which will have a very low impact on the ecological infrastructure of the region.

Objectives.

Describe the objectives of the project. This section should NOT be longer than 2 pages. Main Objective

To create a replicable, affordable low impact, sustainable social housing model for the North West Europe Region, in order to reduce the impact of social housing on the ecological infrastructure of the region.

Sub-Objectives  Identify the benefits accruing to the social housing providers and users in the development of this sustainable model in sectors such as:

. Financial . Social . Environmental

 Identify innovative good and best practice to alleviate the environmental problems associated with:

. Rational Use of Energy . Building Materials used in the Construction Industry

6 Reported in Pravda, July 1999

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 16 . Health in Buildings specifically Noise Pollution

 Increase land availability and usage in areas of high noise pollution areas e.g. beside highways

 Identify innovative building materials, focusing on the use of agricultural products e.g. hemp, timber, cob, strawbale etc.

 Create user friendly training programmes which will act as a catalyst for future development and implementation

 Create a platform for exchanges, transfer and cooperation within the NWE region

 Use and implement the knowledge of external expert groups and of the expertise within the partner group

 Gather information about territorial planning strategies in the NW Europe regions and how to influence territorial planning in the areas of social housing

 Use the findings from the expert observer network and the research to inform the planning for the local demonstration investment pilots

 Evaluate the overall project and develop recommendations for the sector

Long Term Project Objectives

 To increase awareness of low impact, sustainable building methods and maintenance

 Increase amount of social housing which will be developed using this model

 Increase supply side availability

 Reduce the ecological footprint of the social housing and the construction industry

Specific Main Local Objectives  Develop a sustainable social housing scheme in Ireland implementing new and affordable Rational Use of Energy (RUE) and Renewable Energy Strategies (RES) (Ireland)

 Incorporate innovative solutions to combat noise pollution in a social housing scheme in Delft (Netherlands)

 Use sustainable building materials e.g. hemp, timber, cob and straw bale in a planned social housing project in Devon (UK)

Description of the Action Plan.

Summarise the main stages, actions and related results to achieve the project’s objectives. This should include communication and publicity actions. Indicate which partners will be involved in the different actions and how partners will co-operate at each stage of the project.

Please ensure that the summary description of your Action Plan is consistent with Annex I (Action Plan).

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 17 This section should NOT be longer than 4 pages.

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 18 Introduction The Implementation of the Action Plan has been carefully formulated to ensure that the project objectives are met in a timely and efficient manner. For this reason a number of transnational working groups have been established to consider each of the main priority areas for the project:- These include Communications and Publicity, Research, Training & mainstreaming and Demonstration projects relating to sustainable building techniques, with sub- themes looking at priority issues, energy, building materials and noise pollution.

This structure is clearly outlined in section 3. The strategy includes a detailed transnational management structure as well as a comprehensive implementation strategy divided according to the key actions of the project. The main phases of the Action plan are as follows:-

Phase 0 Preparation and Project Development (October 2002 - Sept 2003) 0.1 Identification of common issues and project objectives 0.2 Establishment of the trans-national and regional partnerships 0.3 Agreement of the project content 0.4 Agreement of budget and financial reporting procedures 0.5 Preparation of the application and partnership agreement

Phase 1 Process and operations Implementation 1.1 Setting up of project management structure and systems 1.2 Formation of Transnational Steering Group and Trans-national Working Groups. 1.3 Appointment of project staff 1.4 Detailed planning for Phase 2. A programme of activity has already been agreed, but this must be planned in detail

The process and operations implementation phase will set the tone for the development of the project. All of the transnational working groups will meet in their entirety during this phase and detailed action plans will be put in place. The project has been designed so that all project partners are equally involved in all elements of the project through the mechanism of the transnational working groups. In particular these working groups will meet by teleconference once a month and twice a year at transnational meetings.

Phase 2 Communications and Publicity Strategy Full details are in section 2.6 2.1 Project Website 2.2 Newsletters 2.3 Reports 2.3.1 Progress report 2.3.2 Interim report 2.3.3 Final report 2.4 PR Strategy 2.5 Conferences, meetings and workshops 2.6 Demonstration visits

Phase 3 Research 3.1 Cost Benefit Analysis Developing a detailed cost benefit analysis which will consider the financial, social and environmental impacts of this model of social housing

3.2 Ecological Footprint Analysis Developing a detailed ecological foot-printing report, which will inform all relevant stakeholders of the current ecological footprint, associated with social housing per unit and the ecological footprint associated with the new model of social housing.

3.3 Noise Pollution Research Carrying out a detailed research action on the most appropriate and innovative solution to

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 19 noise pollution in a housing context. Creating a system, which reduces ambient noise pollution, will also result in increased availability of land in high-density areas of the NWE region.

3.4 Rational Use of Energy (RUE)/Renewable Energy Sources (RES) for Social Housing Report Carrying out a comprehensive research project on the most appropriate solutions for energy use and conservation in social housing schemes including a focus on geothermal systems

3.5 Expert Observer Network Expert Observer network consists of specialists from Universities, participating regions, the construction industry, and expert organisations. The Expert Observer network will participate in all meetings, workshops etc. they will feed into the transnational working groups and provide expertise for research actions etc.

3.6 Planning – architectural technical assistance, planning applications etc. 3.6.1 Expert exchange of views with regard to planning and design of demonstration investments 3.6.2 Planning workshops including community consultations 3.6.3 Submission of planning applications based on sustainable building guidelines from research

3.7 Innovative Sustainable building materials research This report will gather together all available research material and find the most suitable alternatives to traditional building materials for this model.

3.8 Spatial Strategy Research and planning Gathering information and increasing knowledge and understanding of changing patterns of housing and planning identifying the spatial and economic impact of these trends. Developing shared information and planning tools, that allow the intelligence gathered to inform future spatial, economic and housing development strategies

Elements 3.3, 3.4 and 3.7 will take place in the first 12 months of the project. The results from the research will inform the demonstration investments. Similarly element 3.6 will take place in advance of the demonstration projects commencing as the design element of the project is crucial. The transnational working group will develop the tenders for the various pieces of research work, will assess experts and consultants and will monitor the work as well as feeding into the development of the various reports, through meetings and focused workshops.

Phase 4 Demonstration Investments 4.1 Investment No. 1 – Develop a sustainable social housing scheme, incorporating new and affordable Renewable Energy systems (RES) and Rational use of energy (RUE) (Ireland) 4.2 Investment No. 2 – Incorporate innovative solutions to combat noise pollution in social housing (The Netherlands) 4.3 Investment No 3. – Use of sustainable building materials in a planned social housing development (UK)

The investments relate to the realisation of demonstrations, one in each participating country. These demonstration projects concern investments in the operational area of the network partners whereby optimal use is made of the input (expertise and practical experience) from the other partners via the transnational working groups and the expert observer network 3.5 The results and expertise acquired (output) as a consequence of these investments (demonstration projects) are then re-processed and used for the realisation of other projects in the other areas and will be used for the production of the final report.

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 20 Phase 5 Training and Mainstreaming 5.1 Community Consultation Training 5.2 Construction Industry Training 5.3 Mainstream Skills training programme

The training and mainstreaming action of the project has been included to ensure that the findings and good practice are continued past the life of the project. By creating working training programmes, which are transnational in nature, the important elements of the project can be used for future projects and by the mainstream agencies. All training activities will be developed by the transnational working group for training and mainstreaming, in association with the expert observer network, the working group will develop plans, contract experts or consultants, meet with national and regional training bodies and organise the training activities.

Training will be delivered in part by partner staff and in part by experts and to three different targets:- . Communities and tenants . Social housings providers, housing associations, local authorities etc. . Construction industry, builders, architects, developers and trades people

Phase 6 Consolidation and Evaluation Phase A detailed evaluation of the project is a key action, in that it allows the partnership to consider in detail the results and the learning from all of the project actions. This will take the form of a full ex-ante evaluation and will include an interim report and a final report which will focus on the following elements:-

a) Partnership b) Transnationality c) Mainstreaming d) Research e) Training f) Demonstration investments

During the final phase of the project, the results will be consolidated from each of the demonstration projects and will be presented at the final conference. In addition the information will be consolidated to inform the final report, evaluation document and audit.

The Actions can be best demonstrated in terms of a matrix, which identifies each of the main objectives and links it to an action, output and partners involved. N.B The preparation phase of the action plan has been omitted from the matrix as these actions are now complete.

Objective Action(s) Output Partners MAIN OBJECTIVE To create a replicable, All Actions A model for replicable, affordable 1,2,3,4 and 5 affordable and sustainable and sustainable social housing social housing model for the model for the North West Europe North West Europe Region. In Region. order to reduce the impact of social housing on the ecological infrastructure of the region. SUB-OBJECTIVES To identify the benefits 3.1 Cost Benefit Analysis Cost Benefit Analysis Report Research Working Group accruing to the providers and 3.2 Ecological Footprint (2 members from each users in the development of Analysis Ecological Footprint Report partner organisation) this model 1,2,3,4 and 5 Progress report (2.3.1) Interim report (2.3.2) Expert Observer Network Final Report (2.3.3) (3.5) Identify innovative good and 3.3 Noise Pollution Report documenting solutions to Research Working Group best practice to alleviate the Research noise pollution as well as (2 members from each environmental problems increasing peripheral land use partner organisation) associated with Rational of 3.4 Rational Use of Energy 1,2,3,4 and 5 Energy, building materials (RUE)/Renewable Energy Rational Use of Energy used in construction and Sources (RES) for social (RUE)/Renewable Energy Sources Expert Observer network Noise Pollution Housing report (RES) for social Housing report (3.5)

Increase land availability and 3.3 Noise Pollution Report documenting solutions to Research Working Group usage in areas of high noise Research noise pollution as well as (2 members from each

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 21 pollution areas e.g. beside increasing peripheral land use partner organisation) highways 1,2,3,4 and 5

Expert Observer network (3.5) Create a platform for 3.5 Expert Observer Discussion papers Communications and exchanges, transfer and Network Publicity transnational cooperation between partners Publicity outputs Working Group 2.5 Conferences, meetings 1,2,3,4 and 5 and workshops New learning for the project Expert Observer network (3.5) Use and implement the 2.5 Partner meetings Efficient decision making Transnational Steering knowledge of external expert Committee groups and of the expertise 2.5 Joint decision making Transfer of experience 1,2,3,4 and 5 within the partner group 3.5 Expert Observer Expert Observer network network (3.5) To create user friendly Pilot training programmes Model of community Training and training programmes which in consultation/training Mainstreaming Working will act as a catalyst for future 5.1 Community Group development and Development 20 organisations trained in 1,2,3,4 and 5 implementation 5.2 Construction Industry ecological building methods Expert Observer Network 5.3 Development of a 1 mainstream national training (3.5) mainstream training programme established programme Gather information about 3.8 Spatial Strategy Spatial strategy report Research Working Group spatial planning strategies in research and planning (2 members from each the NW Europe regions and partner organisation) how to influence territorial 1,2,3,4 and 5 planning in the areas of social housing Expert Observer network (3.5) Use the findings from the 3.6 Consider findings of Planning applications for three 1,2,3,4 and 5 expert observer network and training, research and joint pilot investment projects the research to inform the planning to inform planning for the local demonstration pilots demonstration investment pilots Consolidation meetings (Phase 6) Evaluate the overall project Phase 6 –Evaluation Evaluation report Transnational Steering and develop Committee recommendations for the 1,2,3,4 and 5 sector Expert Observer network (3.5)

SPECIFIC LOCAL Develop a sustainable social 4.1 Local investment- Collaborative Model of affordable Transnational Steering housing scheme in Ireland and sustainable social housing Committee implementing new and Development of 12 social for NEW region 1,2,3,4 and 5 affordable RUE/RES housing units in North Cork – built to highest ecological Training initiatives standards Local project Dissemination of cost benefits management team and social and environmental benefits Incorporate innovative 4.2 Local Investment Collaborative Model of affordable Transnational Steering solutions to combat noise and sustainable social housing Committee pollution in a social housing Addition of innovative noise for NEW region 1,2,3,4 and 5 scheme in Delft pollution solution to existing social housing Training initiatives project in Delft Local project Dissemination of cost benefits management team and social and environmental benefits Use of sustainable building 4.3 Local Investment Transnational Steering materials e.g. hemp, timber, Collaborative Model of affordable Committee cob and straw bale in a and sustainable social housing 1,2,3,4 and 5 planned social housing project for NEW region in Devon Training initiatives Local project management team Dissemination of cost benefits and social and environmental benefits LONG TERM To increase awareness of low 2 Communications and Newsletters (2.2) Transnational Steering impact, sustainable building publicity programme Website (2.1) Committee methods and maintenance Reports (2.3.1,2.3.2, 2.3.3) 1,2,3,4 and 5 2.6 Demonstration visits Conferences (2.5) Media Coverage (2.4) 2.5 One to one meetings Film (2.4)

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 22 5.3 Mainstream training Training Programmes programmes (5.1,5.2,5.3) Increase amount of social Sharing results through Communication & publicity Transnational Steering housing which will be local , regional and strategy (2) Committee developed using this model European networks 1,2,3,4 and 5 Cost Benefit Analysis (3.1) Transnational working 2.4 Disseminating results group Communications of the project in and Publicity publications and newsgroups for social housing Transnational working group Research 3.1 Quantifying the long term savings related to this model of development Increase supply side 5.2 5.3 2.6 Informing Open access to demonstration Transnational Steering availability developers of the benefits projects Committee of this form of housing 1,2,3,4 and 5 Publicity 2 Increasing demand Transnational working Training programmes group Training and 5.2 5.3 Improving training Mainstreaming opportunities & increased numbers of qualified, professionals Reduce the ecological 3.2 Quantify the reduced Ecological Footprint report Transnational Steering footprint of the social housing ecological footprint of this Committee and the construction industry model of development 1,2,3,4 and 5

Transnational working group Research

Please go to Annexes I, II and III and fill in the Action Plan, Implementation Schedule and Milestones for Phase 1 of the Project (i.e. the first 6 months of project implementation).

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 23 Key actions.

If you wish to give more details on the main actions which make up the project, please indicate for each key action of your plan: - Its link to the main objectives of the project; - its transnational impact and relevance; - how and at what stages the different project partners are involved in the design or implementation of the action; - its innovative character (if relevant).

This section should NOT be longer than 1 page per action.

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 24 Communications and Publicity Strategy

Its link to the main objectives of the project;

This action is the main process element of the project and refers to the key communication, information and dissemination actions of the project as well as monitoring and evaluation and operational issues. One of the sub-objectives of the project is to “Create a platform for exchanges, transfer and cooperation between partners”. In order to achieve this a comprehensive communications strategy has been put in place. This is detailed in section 2.6 of the application. In order to fully disseminate the important results of this project a comprehensive dissemination list has been compiled which features, construction industry, social housing associations, local, regional and national governments, planning authorities, as well as European networks e.g Energie Cities, Euroform, Reves, Fedarene, Islenet and the European network of energy agencies.

Transnational impact and relevance;

This action is fully transnational in that it is the mechanism for disseminating the information about the project as widely as possible and ensuring that the maximum numbers of people are made aware of the project. The expert observer network will also be responsible for ensuring that their parent organisations and extended networks are fully appraised of the findings of the project and implement as many of the actions, research and training outcomes as possible.

How and at what stages the different project partners are involved in the design or implementation of the action;

All project partners will have two representatives on the transnational Working Group aligned to this main action. All partners will input into the process through the transnational Working Group for Communications and Publicity. This group will have responsibility for:-

 Ensuring that project outputs are in place in a timely, efficient and user friendly manner  Disseminate information about the research outputs and training programmes  Disseminate information about the demonstration investments  Target key stakeholders and inform them of project  Deliver the conferences, workshops and symposia

Main Outputs for thes actions are:-

 Project Website  Newsletters (6)  Reports o Progress o Interim o Final

 Conferences, meetings and workshops  Demonstration Visits

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 25 Training and Mainstreaming

Its link to the main objectives of the project

The transnational Working Group on Training and mainstreaming has been established to carry out the objectives of this main action. The link to the main objective of the programme is that training is necessary to reduce the impact of social housing on the ecological infrastructure of the region. Training is imperative to:-  Ensure that residents are aware of the importance of living in a sustainable manner  Inform the construction industry and suppliers of the methods and products involved in ecological building  Inform national and local government as well as planning authorities of the costs benefits, social and ecological benefits of this model of housing  Train social housing providers in ecological living and community consultation mechanisms

Transnational Impact and relevance

 Community Consultation model and training will be developed joint by the transnational working group on training in consultation with the expert observer network and will be implemented across all partner areas.  The Construction Industry training will be based on best practice already being implemented in the NW Europe area and will be delivered in all areas, using common trainers, modules, manuals etc.  This training model can be replicated and delivered in other areas with comparable problems in the NW Europe region  The Mainstream training will link into national/regional training bodies and will create long-term training opportunities for students interested in learning the skills of sustainable building, which will help to reduce the ecological footprint of construction in general over many years

How and at what stages the different project partners are involved in the design or implementation of this action

All project partners will have at least one representatives on the transnational Working Group aligned to this main action. All partners will input into the process by bringing expertise from their own countries and regions to the transnational working group. In this case the International working group on training and development have responsibility for:-  Developing tenders for the training consultants  Appointing experts and consultants  Working with consultants to create training programmes which are meaningful to the programme  Working with project coordinator to deliver the training in each local area  Utilising training modules as part of demonstration actions

Main Outputs for this actions area:-

 Community Consultation Training Programme – Delivered jointly in each of the partner areas  Construction Industry Training Programme- Delivered Jointly in each of the partner areas  Mainstream training programme – International training programme accepted and delivered by mainstream national/regional training body in each partner area

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 26 Innovative character of this action

Research to date has shown that there is no mainstream training programme on sustainable building methods in any of the partner areas.

Research Its link to the main objectives of the project In order to create a replicable model of sustainable social housing it is necessary to provide a scientific and financial justification for the work, including specific research in the areas of:-  Ecological Foot printing analysis  Noise Pollution  Energy  Sustainable building materials  Spatial Planning

The research to be carried out will build on previous research work and project analyses, for example Blackwater Resource Development and Cork County Council were jointly involved in an ALTENER II project looking at Renewable Energy against Social Exclusion. One output of this project was a design guide looking at best practice in bio-climatic design. The key findings in this report will inform the Energy study & the building materials study for this project. Devon County Council were also involved in a relevant ALTENER project with Austrian partners called Solar Devon which looked at renewable energy systems for communities.

The particular research actions will directly link to specific sub objectives of the project, for example “To identify the benefits accruing to the social housing providers and users in the development of a sustainable model.” Research to be carried out to support this sub- objective includes a detailed cost benefit analysis as well as an ecological footprint report. Ecological Footprint Analysis uniquely approaches the issue of sustainability by reference to the overall ‘carrying capacity’ of the planet. The footprint indicator is shown to have several advantages: the single index provides for ease of communication and understanding; a variety of goods, activities and services can readily be assessed and compared; a link can easily be made between local and global consumption; an assessment of sustainability is possible; the relationship between different impacts can be explored; and values are based on ecological realities rather than arbitrary weightings.

Transnational Impact and Relevance The research will be collated into a model for sustainable and affordable social housing, which will be replicable across the North West Europe area. The research will include experts from all NWE countries as well as the partner countries and all of the findings will be disseminated widely. (See communication and Publicity Plan)

How and at what stages the different project partners are involved in the design or implementation of the action All project partners will have at least one representatives on the transnational Working Group aligned to main action. All partners will input into the process by bringing expertise from their own countries and regions to the transnational working group. In this case the International working group on research have responsibility for:-  Developing tenders for the research work

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 27  Appointing experts and consultants  Monitoring and Evaluation research work  Co-ordinating research findings into overall model  Informing demonstration actions

Main Outputs for this actions area:-  Cost Benefit Analysis  Ecological Footprint Analysis  Noise Pollution Research report  Report on new building materials focusing on agricultural products  Rational Use of Energy (RUE)/Renewable Energy Sources (RES) for social Housing report  Territorial and Spatial planning recommendations

Overall Output – Model for replicable, affordable and sustainable social housing for North West Europe Each partner’s demonstration project will concentrate on a particular research area and this partner will lead on the research action for this topic.

Innovative Character All of the research will build on existing research in all of the topics from all of the partner countries and observer network countries and will incorporate them into new innovative research focusing on the ecological impact of social housing. Demonstration Investments

Its link to the main objectives of the project

Full details of the demonstration investments have been outlined in the investment section of 2.3. Project description. The main objective of the project is to create a replicable, affordable and sustainable social housing model for the North West Europe region.

In order to reduce the impact of social housing on the ecological infrastructure of the region and to apply the learning from the research and training actions of the project and to demonstrate them in a practical manner, pilot investment actions are necessary. The opportunity for key stakeholders to view the demonstration pilots in operation will be vital to the overall success of the project through, o Enabling individuals to observe and experience first hand, what it is to live in a low impact sustainable house o Providing an opportunity for members of the construction industry to study the new methods, materials, etc. o Creating a platform for training and experimentation o Providing an opportunity for decision makers, planners etc. to see how the housing actually works and to view the scientific results that support the model o Allowing local people to associate with a European project and actually see the results in their own locality

These will lead to greater knowledge and understanding in the sector and most importantly to future investment in the sector.

Transnational Impact and Relevance

The transnational impact and relevance of this project is that a single model of sustainable and affordable social housing can be developed which is generic and not site specific and allows for easy replication across the NW Europe region. Each of the demonstration projects will focus on specific elements of sustainable build, energy, noise pollution and materials. All will be built to high general ecological standards, using as a minimum Dutch building standards. The overall results from each demonstration pilot can be incorporated into the general model to inform future development in the sector.

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 28 How and at what stages the different project partners are involved in the design or implementation of the action;

All partners will be involved in the planning, design and implementation the pilot demonstration investment through the transnational working group considering the demonstration actions. The groups will communicate monthly by teleconference and meet twice a year in person to consider the research findings and to plan the implementation actions. This group also has three sub-committees looking at the three priority areas of Energy, Noise Pollution and Building materials

Innovative Character

These are the most innovative actions of the project as, with these practical applications the most innovative findings of the research working group will be implemented, the cost benefit of sustainable social housing will be demonstrated, and the ecological footprint of three areas will be reduced in a way which is easily replicable to the NW Europe Region.

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 29 Investments.

If investments are planned, please describe each investment as outlined below.

For single country investment projects only, please demonstrate what the “significant impact” of the investment is. Please refer to any transnational strategy or internationally agreed strategic document to which the project relates.

Please make sure that the numbering of investments described corresponds to that used in Annex VII (Detailed Investment Sheets).

This section should NOT be longer than 2 pages per investment.

All of the demonstration investment projects will focus on one main priority, which is based on the “Key responses to the challenge” from the final report of the Task Group established in the context of the Commissions Competitiveness in the construction industry [Com(97)539] All three projects will:- o Adopt baseline environmental building standards based on project research o Will plan common waste and water management strategies o Share architectural and engineering expertise through expert planning meetings and briefing o Develop plans which will come together seamlessly in the development of the integrated housing model which is the ultimate objective of this project

In addition each demonstration project will take the findings from the research actions in particular those considering Energy, Noise Pollution and sustainable building materials to develop investment pilots, which meet innovative new standards while at the same time being affordable and replicable.

Investment No. 1:

Brief description of the content of the investment

Demonstration Investment One – Ireland Each demonstration project will focus on elements of sustainable building and will be based on the research findings of the project. The Irish investment project will focus on the development of a cluster of 12 households and will look in particular at Rational Use of Energy (RUE)/Renewable Energy Sources (RES) for social Housing. Cork County Council is the largest Local Authority in Ireland serving the largest county in Ireland. One of the main sections of the Council is its’ housing obligations in the form of social, affordable and sheltered housing.

The current proposed local project will be located in the rural village of Lombardstown with a population 856 people (2002 census preliminary figures). Lombardstown is located approximately 6 miles from the main market town for North Cork, Mallow. This social housing scheme will be based on need and demand, which is derived from the Cork County Council housing list. All people who are eligible for social housing place their name on the housing list. The County Council will apply to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (DOEH&LG) for funding for the core housing units. This exchequer

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 30 funding will be used as matching finance for the INTERREG ERDF funding. The (DOEH&LG) do not have funding available for any additional costs associated with sustainable construction. This project will be used to demonstrate not only the ecological benefits of sustainable housing to the main funding department but also the long-term financial benefits, in the form of energy savings and quality of life indicators.

Transnational impact and relevance The project partners are contributing to this project through transnational working groups, meetings, symposia and expert observer network and special consultations in the following substantial and technical manner:-

Delftwonen Housing Association – Expert advice on the high standards and statutory obligations already in place in the Netherlands. Noise and Energy experts will travel to advise on Irish demonstration investment. Devon County Council – Sharing expertise on new building materials and methods. Transfer of architectural personnel

Gwalia Housing Association- Architectural expertise, solving problems and trouble shooting in areas relating to construction methods, based on previous experience

The learning from the Irish Demonstration project will have huge transnational impact as part of the overall development of the model. Specifically the partners will gain the following useful outputs

Delftwonen Housing Association – Use of geo-thermal energy for district heating schemes – cost analysis Devon County Council – Methods of creating affordable social housing models, which can be used as a document to persuade further investment from National Government Gwalia Housing Association- Mechanism for sourcing additional funding for social housing schemes in Wales

Benefit for the partnership as a whole / How and at what stages the different project partners are involved in the design, implementation, outcome and/or use of the investment

Benefit for the partnership as a whole lie in the opportunity to compare different ways of designing and specifying sustainable homes, using materials and methods which take account of local resources and circumstances and exploit the potential to develop the local supply chain and hence economy.

Lessons will also be learned from a comparison of the spatial planning framework of each partner and the way it enables or supports the different schemes. For example in the UK, the use of 1) “exception planning” to allow development which is specifically for the needs of local people and 2) section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to ensure and sustain affordability criteria, will be the main instruments used. The project partners will share information about their relative success in using the planning system to promote rural social housing and the scope for using these instruments in other locations.

The three investment projects will be developed, designed and implemented at the same time based on the findings from the research actions. The Transnational working groups focusing on the Demonstration Investments will consider the research findings and will create a joint model. Project personnel will travel between the projects to assist in the development and the implementation of the project; this is especially relevant to planning, architectural and engineering staff members and external consultants.

Innovative character:

The final use materials, energy etc. will only be decided on after the results of the research

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 31 projects have been gathered and collated, however it is anticipated that the energy use and conservation methods will be new and innovative and this learning will be transferred to all of the other partners and the partners involved in the expert observer network. The project is extremely innovative in the Irish context in that it is the first project of this kind to be undertaken by a local authority in Ireland. As the largest local authority in Ireland there will be a significant multiplier effect if the results of the cost benefit analysis are positive and can be translated into the mainstream building projects of the council.

Investment No. 2: Delftwonen housing association (not for profit organisation) is the largest housing association in the city of Delft. It manages over 10.000 units at present. It is known locally not only for it’s demonstration projects concerning the use of Photo Voltaic Systems, but also for involving the local community in the decision making processes concerning their buildings by the use of shares. Another area in which Delftwonen is active is supplying housing and services to people with special needs.

The area we are focusing on in this proposal is locally known as Die Delfgaauwse Weije. It is an area in which all the houses are owned by Delftwonen. The city of Delft and Delftwonen agreed to a spatial planning scheme in 1998. The creation of more green places and the increasing of the number of units per sq. meter were the main characteristics of the plan. In 1998 there were 450 houses in the area and there will be a total of 375 in the year 2006. The total investment of Delftwonen during this period exceeds € 35 million.

Delftwonen wants to build 90 houses (the total costs of the building project are estimated at € 13,8 million) in the area that is most close to the highway.This strip of land naturally faces severe pressures from it. The highway (the A-13) is one of the busiest in the Netherlands being the main route between Amsterdam and Rotterdam, or Amsterdam and Paris, if you wish. The noise pollution created by this highway will have to be tackled in the project. Delftwonen wants to find sustainable solutions for this challenge. Solutions however, that can be applied to comparable situations in which intensive land-use is desirable.

The second area of concern for Delftwonen and its tenants is energy usage both for financial and environmental reasons. Though Dutch building regulations on energy usage are quite severe, Delftwonen wants to supply more value to its tenants by supplying them with houses that have better quality and less energy use. For the association Delftwonen itself it is important to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Transnational Impact and relevance

This issue has enormous transnational impact as it may increase land availability in areas of high land demand and density throughout the NW Europe region. Reducing noise pollution and establishing new methods of preventing environmental noise pollution. If a successful demonstration can be developed through this project, all major metropolitan areas in the NW Europe region will be interested in the model to increase available land banks.

The transnational impact of investing in energy when regulations are already in place can be seen as the next steps on the path that will have to be followed by all building organizations when energy pressures become more severe. Because regulations tend to be following on social questions the design and use of energy systems that are already prepared to switch to different (sustainable) sources of energy today will have tremendous value for the building proposals of the future, all over Europe.

Inputs

Cork County Council - Expert support in insulation and energy saving methods which will

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 32 also assist in the reduction of environmental noise pollution Blackwater Resource Development – Design and implementation of ecological housing developments Gwalia Housing Association – Architectural advice and support in developing noise pollution solution Devon County Council- Suggested alternative building materials which may be useful in reducing environmental noise pollution

The learning from the Dutch Demonstration project will have further support the development of the overall model. Specifically the partners will gain the following useful outputs

Cork County Council - Future planning with regard to social housing along major roadways – previously this land would be zoned for industrial development, however this may make this land available for housing units Blackwater Resource Development – New learning on project management systems in the Netherlands Gwalia Housing Assoication - Valuable links between similar agencies, expertise in noise pollution reduction, which can be incorporated into future developments. Learning about environmental standards in the Netherlands Devon County Council- Making best use of available land banks. Sustainable planning practices

Benefit for the partnership as a whole / How and at what stages the different project partners are involved in the design, implementation, outcome and/or use of the investment:

The Dutch demonstration project is extremely important in the overall context of the project as it provides a mechanism to demonstrate the applicability of the model to high- density urban spaces. It also examines the extremely pertinent issue of noise pollution and reduction strategies, which is a growing issue for social housing programmes across the region. With high growth in car ownership and motorway development making many land areas unsuitable for housing unless innovative solutions to noise pollution can be found.

The Dutch environmental standards are relatively high in the NW Europe context and the partnership intends to use these standards as a minimum in all of the housing developments. As energy costs are on the agenda of all tenants examples of the measures that will be necessary in the future are of value to all partners involved in social housing.

Innovative character

Though the project has not started yet it is obvious enough that finding sustainable answers to noise pollution and installing energy systems in social housing that can switch to sustainable sources of energy is quite innovative in itself. However since the experts have not been asked for their diagnosis yet, we do not know which the most innovative elements will be, nor what they will look like.

Investment No. 3:

Brief description of the content of the investment

Devon County Council manages some 700 premises with a current asset value in excess of €970M (£680M) from which it provides a wide range of educational, economic, environmental, social and community services to its citizens. It employs over 20,000 staff. As part of its economic and regeneration activities it owns a rural estate of 100 farms with a total area of 4300 hectares dispersed right across the County. The estate provides opportunities for new entrants into the agricultural industry but is also a major publicly

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 33 owned asset that can be used as a catalyst to aid community development. This is the position in this case.

The current site within the isolated rural village of High Bickington in the north of the county is proposed as the demonstration site. Extensive consultation has taken place with the community over 2 years to arrive at an agreed development and investment plan. The two main issues to be addressed through the demonstration investment are the use of sustainable building materials (e.g. hemp, straw, timber and earth) all to be found in rural areas as well as the building and maintenance of additional affordable (social) housing, vital for such rural areas. The project will be incorporated into the overall integrated community plan for the village by way of 40 demonstration homes. These will be managed either by a community owned and operated company (not for private profit) or by a registered housing association. Funding is being provided through the transfer of land assets by the County, Social Housing Grant, cross-subsidy from housing for sale, finance raised from the disposal of surplus community owned property and loan finance which can be repaid from rental income.

Transnational impact and relevance:

Concrete, UPVC and other related construction industry products are huge net pollutants. It has been estimated that the use of concrete products alone contributes 200 million tonnes of CO2 into the environment in Europe. Devon County Council will look at zero CO2 building material options as part of this pilot investment. Tests in this pilot investment if successful could be incorporated into the overall model of sustainable, low impact and affordable social housing. This would have huge transnational impact as it could potentially:-

o Create new opportunities for low income farm families (growing building products e.g. hemp) o Create new industry standards o Reduce ecological footprints of building materials o Reduce the overall building costs per housing unit

Inputs

Cork County Council - Expert support in insulation and energy saving methods including district heating schemes Blackwater Resource Development – Agri-diversification planning, based on community co-op models and permaculture methodologies Gwalia Housing Association – Innovative architectural design concepts based on best practice. Model of community ownership Delftwonen Housing Association- Transfer of experts to advise on building standards

The learning from the UK Demonstration project will have further support the development of the overall model. Specifically the partners will gain the following useful outputs

Cork County Council - Creativity and flexibility about new building materials, to be translated into new Planning policy documents Blackwater Resource Development – New learning on project management systems in the Netherlands Gwalia Housing Association – Local network, material usage for forthcoming housing projects. Support and advice in approaching local authorities for similar projects Delftwonen Housing Association- Transfer of architectural experts in the development of the projects

Benefit for the partnership as a whole / How and at what stages the different project partners are involved in the design, implementation, outcome and/or use of the investment:

The UK demonstration project presents a major element of the overall strategy for the

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 34 STAPLE project. The issue of low or no impact building materials has rarely been tackled by local authorities and/or planning authorities, which can be conservative. Using and demonstrating the viability of alternative building materials in mainstream social housing will present opportunities to the entire partnership as it literally provides the “building blocks” of a sustainable housing model. All of the project partners will be involved in the planning of this project through the transnational working group responsible for the demonstration projects. Project architects and designers from the other partners will travel to each of the demonstration projects to share ideas and to create pilots which will integrate seamlessly together to create a genuine model which is replicable and affordable in the NW Europe context.

Innovative Character

Devon County Council is the second largest rural authority (in terms of area) in the UK. It has already committed itself to sustainable construction and has won awards for innovative design for schools. It has experimented with new materials and community owned asset transfer. This proposal will provide the extra funding necessary to demonstrate that such construction can really work and provide multiple benefits in terms of local economic, environmental, life-long learning and social outcomes. The project is also innovative in being driven by needs identified by the community itself; in looking holistically at living, working, social and leisure requirements as well as the housing which is the subject of this project; and in seeking to build in long term affordability and sustainability through the sharing of development value and transfer of property to establish “community” equity.

On this basis, the County Council is already investigating (and actively pursuing) similar options for other towns and villages in the rural county. Hence there will be, as in Ireland, significant multiplier effects that can be used in other mainstream projects the Council wishes to take forward across the whole county.

It will also act as an innovative real community in order to encourage other authorities, agencies and the private sector to develop ‘green’ communities both elsewhere in South West England and further a field. The County is working with Wessex Reinvestment Trust, Exeter and Salford Universities on aspects of this scheme which has a wider remit for helping to develop and disseminating this model..

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 35 Output indicators, expected results and impacts per Measure.

In Annex IV fill in the output indicators, expected results and impacts per Measure.

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 36 2.4 Relevant Considerations for the Assessment of Projects

List the main arguments that should be considered in assessing the project against the Selection Criteria. Refer to Chapter 6 of the Programme Complement for the detailed description of the Selection Criteria. This section should NOT be longer than 4 pages. Selection Criteria 1: Transnationality The main objective of this project is :

‘To create a replicable, affordable, low impact, sustainable social housing model for North West Europe. In order to reduce the impact of social housing on the ecological infrastructure of the region”

The issue of providing social housing in an ecologically sound manner is of significant relevance and importance for the whole of the NWE region and cannot be satisfactorily dealt with on a local and regional level. Transnational cooperation is required because building regulations; expertise and building methods can differ quite significantly between different countries. Therefore it is a necessary that this project is carried out in collaboration with a number of different countries to compare and contrast methods of sustainable construction.

Although the project partners are only representative of 3 NWE Countries, it is envisaged that this project will by its completion have reached all NWE countries. This will be achieved through the establishment of an ‘Expert Observer Network’, which will be made up of organisations from both within and outside the NWE area. This is a truly transnational action, and will be of major benefit to the project. Each of these organisations will be invited to take part in a number of meetings throughout the life span of the project and asked to contribute as experts on various aspects of the project.

The Expert Observer Network is made up of the following representatives to date; additional experts may be invited to join as the project proceeds depending on need.

Name Organisation Country Expertise Jean Offerman Agencie de l’Energie Luxembourg Energy du Luxembourg Muriel Glaude Hainaut Belgium Environmental Development Issues William Holman South West Energy UK Construction Group representative Raphaël Didierjean Conseil Général des France Sustainable building Côtes d'Armor materials Jürgen Veit Öko-Zentrum NRW Germany Training and sustainable construction Gerard Magnin Energie Cities France Energy Stuart Bond WWF UK Ecological Foot printing David Pickles OBE Nottinghamshire UK Sustainable building County Council James Hogan Clean Technology Ireland Pollution Centre technologies The transnationality character of this project can be summarised in the following manner:

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 37  Each of the project partners share a common need to find solutions to common problems of developing sustainable, affordable social housing  Each of the partners will work jointly, exchanging expertise and knowledge on finding innovative solutions for these common problems.  The project will create a replicable model for the development of sustainable housing across the NWE region  The results and outcomes of the project will have local and regional implications for the spatial and territorial planning for NWE region.  An expert observer network with representatives from organisations from countries within the NWE region will be established to contribute to the research of the project and the dissemination of the results  A number of training programmes for both residents, construction industry and mainstream skills will be established to ensure the future development and implementation of the project. In particular by mainstreaming these training programmes, ecological building will enter conventional construction and will have a huge multiplier effect and a reduced ecological footprint for the construction sector

Selection Criterion 2: Innovative approach to territorial planning.

The approach being incorporated in this project is unique because it is taking the best of technology and research from different regions of North West Europe and collating them to produce a model, which will be replicable throughout NW Europe.

This project will increase knowledge and understanding of changing patterns of housing and planning and will serve to inform future spatial, economic and housing development strategies. It is expected that this project will also mainstream techniques and training for producing Cost effective Sustainable Housing and it is believed that this approach should be incorporated into the principles of the ESDP and the Spatial Vision.

Selection Criterion 3: High level of cross-sector integration.

All demonstration projects are characterised by the multi-disciplinary approach and cross- sector integration. Not only are there sustainable housing aspects important in all investment actions but also, sectoral involvement from:- o Planning o Policy o Environmental issues o Community development o Rural Development o Construction industry This multi-sector impact is shown in the management structure, with working groups being set up to deal with the sub-theme issues. The working groups will be made up of recognised experts in each area, representatives of each working group will then come together under the banner of the transnational steering committee, to allow transfer of ideas and to allow a frank exchange of views between the partners and invited members of the committee.

Selection Criterion 4: Building on existing transnational planning documents

This project builds on existing transnational planning documents such as the ESDP which states that it is important for regional and local authorities to cooperate across national boundaries to work towards sustainable development. The project also perfectly complements the Spatial Vision Document, which highlights the need to reduce the NWE’s global environmental impact through trans-national cooperation.

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 38 Indeed community policies and the ESDP converge on the issue of sustainable development. The Amsterdam treaty establishes that” environmental protection requirements must be integrated into the definition and implementation of community policies and activities sin particular with a view to promoting sustainable development.” The ESDP indicates sustainable development as one of its key objectives.

Similarly, at the Cardiff Summit in June 1998, the Commission Communication 7 identified among other things energy as a priority sector.

With regard to noise, community action has essentially focused on noise directives acting on individual sources of noise such as machines, vehicles and aeroplanes, however the concept of land use planning methods are increasingly being used to influence development. At present a new framework directive to reduce ambient noise is being prepared by the Commission.

This project has examined the ESDP and Spatial Vision documents carefully, and the model for sustainable social housing meets many of the objectives as represented in these documents as well as Commission Directives. A comprehensive model which relates to housing can be incorporated into future territorial planning documents.

Selection Criterion 5: Contribution to a more geographically-balanced development of the European terri tory

At present sustainable housing is prevalent in some countries while being non-existent in others. In this project the partners will develop sustainable housing in a cost effective manner and will show the benefits of sustainable housing to all relevant stakeholders. The project will produce a model for sustainable housing and develop training material aimed at all the target groups. t is envisaged that this will demonstrate the benefits of sustainable housing and increase the uptake of sustainable building throughout North West Europe.

A flexible approach in territorial planning is required when building housing schemes in rural and urban areas. For example it is imperative to small rural communities that housing is developed as a regeneration tool. However, this housing must be sustainable and also meet local planning requirements. Similarly, housing in urban areas need not simply fill the demand for housing in large cities, but should also be sensitive to environmental issues and maximise the use of the scarce resources which are available.

Selection Criterion 6a [Action and Investment Projects only]: Improvement of the territorial impact of EU policies

The ESDP calls for polycentric development as a means for improved spatial development. The Irish Investment project is looking at developing a housing estate in a rural setting which will demonstrate that housing does not need to be centred around an urban base, but can be expanded to more rural areas, while still being accessible to an urban centre. The Dutch investment project, where the housing units are being built in an urban area, which would not generally be accepted as an idyllic setting for housing due to it’s proximity to a motorway. This investment will show that solutions can be found to most problems and reducing the barriers to future housing development in areas otherwise zoned for another purpose. The UK investment project will use and demonstrate the viability of alternative low or no impact building materials such as timber, strawbale or cob in mainstream social housing.

According to the ESDP growing traffic volumes and an inefficient organisation of settlement patterns helps to make the EU a major contributor to worldwide CO2 emissions. This is a major consideration in light of the EU’s Kyoto protocol. Sustianable settlement patterns which can be incorporated into larger territorial planning documents for the community as

7 “Partnership for Integration – A strategy for integrating environment into EU policies”, COM(98)333

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 39 a whole can only be valuable.

Selection Criterion 7: Building on experience from earlier EU- funded Programmes.

The project partnership has had a long history of involvement in E.U. funded Environmental projects, especially in the areas of Energy and Sustainable Development in the past 8 years, Cork County Council alone has had in excess of 30 such E.U. Co-Funded Energy projects, in a number of different funding programmes, e.g. SAVE, ALTENER, THERMIE, ECOS-OUVERTURE etc.. One such recent relevant project was an ALTENER project entitled ‘Renewable Energy Against Social Exclusion’. One of the main deliverables of this project was the production of a Handbook entitled ‘Good Practice design Guide for sustainable social housing’. The project included 2 of the partners in this project Cork County Council and Blackwater Resource Development. It was through the work carried out on this project that the idea of this project came about and given that this partnership had worked so well together it was the obvious combination to take this current application forward.

Devon County Council have also participated in an ALTENER project called Solar Devon which looked at renewable energy strategies for communities in association with partners in Austria. The findings from this project, and in particular methods of working with communities on environmental issues. Findings and learning from both of these projects in particular will inform the work of the STAPLE project going forward.

Selection Criterion 8: Effective communication strategy and transferable results

The communication strategy focuses on a large number of target groups ( future tenants, construction industry, local, regional and national governments, training bodies, planning authorities, environmental networks, members of observer network) which will be reached through an extensive communication and dissemination phase, which will be on-going throughout the life of the project, and will be co-ordinated through the specially assigned communications and publicity working group, with the overall aim being to mainstream results into policy by targeting and involving key actors. (see management structure) The communication tools used will be, local national and E.U conferences, demonstration visits, through European networks, e.g Energie-cities, Fedarene, Islenet, European network of energy agencies. This part of the project is seen as being very important by the project partnership and so will be dealt with in a professional and efficient manner, as will all sections.

Selection Criterion 9: Prospect for long-lasting activity and leverage for extra investment

Given that each partner is either a Local Authority or works in many instances on behalf of a Local Authority it is probable that successful elements of the project will be incorporated into the future development plans of the local authorities, this will ensure a long lasting effect.

Based on the results of the cost benefit analysis, housing authorities will be in a more informed position to develop sustainable homes, as they will provide better value for money in the long terms as well as creating nicer living environments for tenants. Finally, close links with local authorities will mean that the opportunity to change policy is greatly increased.

Selection Criterion 10: Good value for money

10.A The individual elements of the project budget breakdown represent good value for money compared to their market price.

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 40 During the course of the project the partners will operate a zero budget policy, whereby each purchase and expenditure must be justified against the budget. At least three quotations will be obtained for all investments; time spent on the project will be managed and documented to ensure value for money in this area. All travel and accommodation will be limited to a cost per night as per INTERREG guidelines. Through efficient financial management and project management the partners will deliver comprehensive results in a cost effective manner, ensuring a good value for money project.

10.B The project budget represents good value for money as it is proportionate to the expected outputs and results. The good value for money aspect of this project is not only important for the INTERREG Steering Committee but also for the partners involved. In most cases the current economic situation of the partners has forced them to analyse very carefully the perceived value of this project and furthermore the long term value in rolling this pilot project out in large- scale development. It is believed that this project offers excellent value for money as by this single action it is possible to change the views of the major housing authorities in 3 NWE countries directly, and indirectly in the remaining NWE countries through the ‘Expert Observer Network’. This will result in better environmental conditions and reduced problems of serious issues such as fuel poverty and excess greenhouse gas emissions.

Selection Criterion 11: Sound and efficient management structure

Apart from the expertise and experience involved, the intended working structure will ensure efficient management systems. The transnational working groups will implement detailed work plans through consensus agreement. Advanced payments and declarations of costs will be matched by these output contracts. The project will build heavily on extended experience in EU-funded programmes and projects. Key preparation has been completed to ensure a quick start to the project if successful. Expenditure eligibility has been checked and clear financial procedures have been put in place. Appropriate project management staff, have been chosen and the amount of time needed for the project has been carefully calculated to ensure the smooth running of the project.

Selection Criteria 12/13/14: Contribution to the objectives, outputs and results of the relevant Measure

As can be read in the project objectives and actions this project will contribute very well to the objectives of measure 4.1 because:

 It will aid in the improvement of air quality, and reducing environmental noise. The project will show how greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced in the housing sector through the rational use of energy and the use of renewable energy technologies.  The project will endeavour to reduce the amount of waste throughout the project through re-use and recycling techniques in all aspects of the project particularly during house construction and end use.  The project will also contribute to the further development of ecological networks within and across North West Europe through the setting up of the ‘Observer Network’

The project will contribute to the outputs and results of measure 4.1 because:

 It will show demonstrable improvements in environmental quality, such as better air quality, , noise reduction and energy conservation.  The use of renewable energies such as geothermal heating will lead to the reduction of greenhouse gas in the housing sector, leading to a reduced environmental footprint.  The training programmes will lead to improved environmental awareness and performance across a number of sectors, and again aid in the reduction of

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 41 environmental footprints The Expert Observer Network and indeed the project partnership will result in a new ecological network in the NWE region.

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 42 Geographic Scope of the Project.

Please attach a map as Annex V and give extra information regarding the geographic scope. For Action and Investment Projects: the map should indicate the location of partners and the location of actions and/or investments. For Study Projects: the map should indicate the location of partners and the geographic scope.

This section should NOT be longer than 1 page.

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 43 2.5 Follow-up of the Project.

How will the project be followed up once it has been finalised? This section should NOT be longer than 1 page.

At the end of this INTERREG project the STAPLE partnership will have succeeded in meeting the objectives as set out above and so be in a position to influence a much wider audience as was reached in the project. Specifically the project will be followed up in the following important ways:-

Demonstration Visits

Each of the demonstration projects will have an element, which will remain open to the public, industry and experts. This will be resourced and managed by the partners in each demonstration area. This will enable people to come and view the tangible results from the demonstration projects as well as literature about the overall project result and the new model for sustainable, low impact and affordable social housing.

Network of Local Authorities

The network of Local Authorities in Europe is an important vehicle for the on-going and future dissemination of project results. Cork County Council as the lead partner are committed to using this network to disseminate the results of the project using the network website, partner visits etc. Other important European wide networks include, Islenet, Fedarene, Energie- Cities and Reves. Each of these will be included on the dissemination list for all materials from the project. In particular these groups will be invited to attend the project conferences and the demonstration visits. In this way the project partners will work on persuading other planning authorities, local and regional authorities to adopt the principles of sustainable construction for future housing programmes. This will have a very positive impact on the ecological infrastructure of the NWE region.

Mainstreaming

One of the most important long term objectives of this project is:- o To Increase the amount of social housing which will be developed using this model and thereby reduce the ecological footprint of the social housing and the construction industry

This objective will be achieved through a mainstreaming effect. The dissemination, communications and publicity plan will aim to target as many housing suppliers as well as developers as possible and through training and awareness building (especially of the financial benefits) begin to get more organisations operating to higher ecological standards. If mainstream providers such as the local authorities and housing associations begin to use these standards the long-term objectives of the project will begin to be met.

Each of the partners will make sustainable building a part of their normal process and given that Cork County Council alone has dedicated in excess of 50 million euros into housing in the past 5 years with a similar budget for the next 5 years, If the results of this project are positive then a large portion of this budget could well be spent on low impact sustainable housing which will greatly reduce the stress on the local ecological infrastructure. This will also have a multiplier effect on suppliers, contractors and developers in the partner regions.

Dissemination of Results

Social housing suppliers (local Authorities and Housing Associations) in North West Europe

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 44 will be informed of the ongoing progress of the project. The results of the project will be disseminated at a final conference and through attendance at other relevant EU Conferences, and exhibitions. The results of the project will be further disseminated through contact with members of the expert observer network and through contact with the partner organisations.

Training The mainstream training programme will have the longest term follow up impact of the project. Providing the on-going skills for sustainable building in the construction industry will have far reaching effects for future developments.

Will the project bring about long-lasting effects in terms of further impacts of investments? Please justify to what extent it will trigger further development opportunities in the area concerned. This section should NOT be longer than 1 page.

The long term objectives of the project are:-

1 To increase awareness of low impact sustainable building methods and maintenance 2 Increase the amount of social housing which will be developed using this model 3 Increase supply side availability 4 Reduce the ecological footprint of social housing and the construction industry

These objectives will be met through a programme of dissemination, publicity, targeted policy meetings and on-going training and exposure to the product.

Specifically:-

1 & 2 Awareness levels about sustainable building will be greatly increased in the partner areas and throughout the NWE region through the partners communication and publicity plan. Increased awareness will have a knock on effect of increased interest, increased demand for ecological construction and therefore increased number of homes, which will be built in this way in the future. The project research will ascertain the exact ecological footprint of a conventional house in each partner area and the corresponding ecological footprint associated with the new model.

3. The training material produced in this project as well as the demonstrations will ensure the long lasting effects of the project. Given the life span of a house is generally said to be 50 years (usually a lot longer in practice), these demonstrations will be pilot units, which will be open to visits/study tours by all interested parties far beyond the final date of the application. The training material will also be relevant for a considerable period of time as it will include information, which surpasses current building regulations and construction practices and so will be before its time.

4. Every house, which is built using the methods, materials etc. suggested through this project, will have a greatly reduced ecological footprint; this has a positive impact on the overall ecological infrastructure. While it will not be possible to ascertain the exact number of houses that will be built differently as a result of this project, the partners are satisfied that it will be significant.

When this project is completed it will show financial benefits in sustainable housing as the technologies used will yield low pay-back and recoup their costs approximately 3 times over during their life span. With short payback periods these innovations will become very popular and should trigger further developments in the area not only by the partner organisations and in the partner countries but in all regions of NWE

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 45 If so, will the project follow-up activities be financially self- sufficient? This section should NOT be longer than 1 page.

The project promoters believe that the actual cost of developing this scheme will be approximately 5%-10% higher than a control development. However a number of issues need to be considered when looking at the financial viability of developing these schemes without ERDF support.

1. The energy saving over 10 years will be an estimated 6500 euro/unit, which will cover the additional development costs over the long term.

2. Economies of scale will emerge if these schemes increase in popularity, with more products and service providers entering the market. Over the short to medium term we anticipate that costs will drop in real terms by up to 10%. This has proven to be the case in the Dutch market where environmentally friendly products are more widely available and at a much lower rate than in the UK and Ireland.

3. Housing plans are influenced by more than pure financial considerations, for example improved quality of life for tenants is a major benefit. The bio-climatic effect of these housing units will be very positive on the health and well being of the tenants. This may not be an easy measure to quantify in financial terms however; it is an important consideration for moral social housing providers.

4. Once prices have dropped for products and services, and real benefits can be seen in terms of long-term savings we anticipate that improved building techniques and more mainstream developers and providers will adopt ecological building methods.

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 46 2.6 Promotion and Publicity.

How do you intend to raise public awareness of the relevance of the NWE Programme to different local issues and of transnational co-operation in general? This section should NOT be longer than 1 page.

The transnational steering committee will establish two working groups relevant to this issue:-

o Research o Communications and Publicity

The findings and recommendations from the research-working group will feed into a detailed dissemination strategy, which will be delivered by the communications & publicity- working group. The dissemination strategy is critical because it is the element, which will lead to the mainstream effect of the funding and the ultimate multiplier effect in relation to reducing the ecological impact of social housing in the NW Europe region.

Information and publicity about this project will be carried out in line with community regulations: Articles 34 and 36 of regulation (EC) no 1260/1999, which lays down general provisions on the structural funds. Commission Regulation (EC) no 1159/2000, 30th May describing the information as well as publicity activities of member states will also be complied with.

The dissemination strategy will include the following elements:-

o Involving many local stakeholders in all project activities o Devising information campaigns aimed at the public, newspaper, radio and television o Meetings and seminars focusing on local stakeholders, social agents and administrative authorities in all partner areas o Dissemination of scientific results and research in appropriate scientific publications, especially ecological foot-print comparisons o Project website, which will be linked to the Association of Local Authorities in Europe Website, as an information tool o Demonstration homes within each demonstration investment to enable long term learning and training opportunities for the general public, members of the construction industry and local authority members and decision makers o When the results of the research working group is complete, a major presentation will be made to the relevant member state departments responsible for social housing to show the relative value of developing housing in this way o When the results are available major presentations will be made to the relevant, local, regional and national authorities responsible for spatial planning to provide alternative policy recommendations, based on real evidence

Specific outputs of the communication and information strategy phase of the project will include:-

o On-going PR strategy, including local, regional and national newspapers, radio and other publications o Evaluation o Interim report o Final report o International Conferences on three topics:-

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 47  Rational use of energy  Noise pollution Solutions for housing  Sustainable building materials o Final Conference o Demonstration visits

Specific high level meetings and presentations to relevant authorities as outlined above.

Please give a brief summary of the major actions foreseen in the communication plan, specifying for which target groups each action is intended. These actions must be included in the Action Plan (Annex I). This section should NOT be longer than 1 page.

The main actions of the communication plan can best be demonstrated using a matrix

Action Target Group Output 2.1 Project Website All Project website will go live on General dissemination tool the 30th June 2004 2.5.1 Starting conference Project Partners 2.2 Newsletters Local and Regional authorities Two volumes per year Housing associations (6 in total) Construction Industry tri-lingual National Departments Environmental Action groups 2.5.2 International Final Local and Regional authorities Final report Conference Housing associations Model of social housing Construction Industry National Departments Environmental Action groups 2.5.3 Specific meetings Local and Regional authorities Present cost benefit analysis Housing associations Present ecological footprint report 2.5.4 Policy presentations Planning associations and Territorial planning report institutes 2.6 Demonstration visits Building and Construction Site visits Industry Site specific learning Planning authorities Housing associations 2.5.3 Specific targeted National Departments of the Policy recommendations meeting and presentation Environment 2.4 PR Strategy All Stakeholders Dissemination of all reports 5.3 Mainstream training Training Authorities Establishment of mainstream programme training programme on sustainable building methods

Additional information

2.1 Project Website The project website will be developed in the first 6 months of commencing the project, and will be maintained by the project co-ordinator. All relevant documentation relating to the project will be posted on the website including press and media coverage, reports, evaluations and research documents.

The site will feature a project intranet which will enable all project partners to communicate in project rooms, this innovative methodology has been developed as part of the “worklinks” EQUAL community initiative www.worklink.org

2.2 Newsletters

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 48 The project will present 6 newsletters during the project, two per year. The newsletter will be printed in three languages, English, French and Dutch, this will ensure greatly increased exposure in the NW Europe area. 3000 copies of the newsletter will be printed, 2000 in English, and 500 each in French and Dutch. The full dissemination list is detailed in the communication plan in section 2.6 The newsletter will also be featured on the website in all three languages and it will be disseminated using the email databases that all project partners possess. In addition the extended networks of the expert observer network will be used to disseminate the newsletters.

2.5 Conferences, meetings and workshops

A number of transnational meetings, conferences and symposia are planned during the project. The transnational working groups and the transnational implementation team will meet monthly by teleconference; they will meet physically twice a year to ensure efficient delivery of the project objectives. This method has been selected to ensure maximum benefit from both human and financial resources. A major conference on each of the main themes for the demonstration investments will take place over the duration of the project to raise awareness of the issues, to present the relevant research and to get feedback for the implementation phase of the project.

2.6 Demonstration visits In order to ensure that as many people as possible can be informed about the positive implications of this project, each demonstration project will have an element, which is open for demonstration visits. These are described more fully in section 2.5.

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 49 How will you publicise the end results of the project? This section should NOT be longer than 1 page.

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 50 Locally

The communication plan will be implemented locally using the local media, with a full report on the final results of the project in all local newspapers and radios. Members of the public will be invited to come and visit the demonstration homes at an open day in each area. Thereafter the demonstration homes will be available by appointment only through the relevant managing authority.

Local interested stakeholders will be invited to the final conference. Local environmental groups will receive all of the published documentation. Linking the project website to local authority websites, and other stakeholder websites.

Regionally

We will link with the regional authorities in each partner country to carry out a joint dissemination programme, aimed at other Local Authorities, builders, developers, architects, and the general public. This will include the meetings with the relevant planning authorities and regional authorities to inform these groups about the finding from the project. Linking the project website to the regional authorities and regional assembly sites.

Nationally

National seminars will be held in each of the partner areas to disseminate the project results and a major final conference will also be held to present the overall project results, including the ecological foot-print report, planning policy document and overall cost benefit analysis of the pilot schemes.

National publicity on the website address, through industry newsletters, mailing lists etc.

North West Europe

The implications from the project will be relevant to the entire North West Europe area and results will be disseminated in accordance with commission regulations as outlined above.

Project Website

Cork County Council commit to maintain the project website for 12 months after the end of the project and to reply to any queries which may result from the result dissemination.

Final Conference

The final conference will be the main mechanism for disseminating the final results of the project. At the conference there will be a presentation on each of the main research findings. There will also be a presentation on the overall model, which will be based on best practice from the research findings and the demonstration investments. The final report of the project will be distributed to each attendee of the conference.

Final Report

2,000 copies of the final report will be printed in three languages to ensure maximum dissemination in NW Europe. The report will be circulated using all available databases and networks.

Demonstration Visits

Demonstration visits of the working pilot schemes will take place in the last six months of the project this is very important so people can actually see what the working models look like and how they operate.

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 51 With which indicators will the effectiveness of promotion be monitored (for example, press pick-ups, Website visits, level of enquiries)? This section should NOT be longer than 1 page.

Effectiveness of the promotion will be measured and monitored by:-

o Level of enquires to Cork County Council offices about the project o Level of enquires to the offices of Blackwater Resource Development about the project. o Level of enquiries to the offices of the Housing Association of Delftwonen o Level of enquiries to the offices of Devon County Council o Level of enquiries to the offices of Gwalia Housing Association o Dissemination of newsletters – number of copies distributed o Number of attendees at conferences, energy, noise and building materials o Number of monthly visits to the project website o Amount of press coverage, local and national o Dissemination of final report – number of copies distributed o Number of attendees at final conference o Number of attendees at demonstration visits o Number of attendees on training programmes o Number of meetings attained with important stakeholders, e.g. planning authorities, national departments

The effectiveness of the promotion will also be monitored in terms of actions that occur as a result of the dissemination of the results of the project. This includes:

. The utilisation of elements of the programme by other local authorities in their own building schemes . The implementation of a mainstream training programme . Any relevant supply side impact on the construction industry

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 52 INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 53 SECTION 3 – PROJECT MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE

3.1 Overall co-ordination and Management of the Project.

Describe the management structure of the project, including a diagram if necessary. This Section should NOT be longer than 2 pages, including diagram. Transnational Steering Committee (TSC)

The transnational steering committee (TSC) is responsible for the overall co-ordination and management of the project. This group comprises two members representing each partner organisation as well as the project co-ordinator. The steering committee members will communicate regularly using the project intranet. In addition there will be a monthly teleconference established to discuss operational issues relating to the project. The members will meet twice every year for the duration of the project at rotating locations. The functions of the TSC are as follows:-

. Define policy for the project . Decide work plans and review as appropriate . Ensure that the aims and objectives of the project are being met . Review work of the international working groups and make decisions for implementation by the working groups . Ensure that the statutory terms and conditions of the project are being met

Transnational Management Team (TMT)

The TMT will be headed by the lead partner. The TMT supports the function of the TSC and the transnational working groups with regard to implementation and will carry out the day- to-day operations of the STAPLE project. The Management team will comprise a project manager (ultimate responsibility), financial manager, and a project coordinator who is responsible for implementation of the project actions. Administrative and other staff will be recruited as necessary. TMT main functions are:- 1. Coordination and management of the project . Maintaining contact with and supporting the local projects . Maintaining contact with the European Commission . Collecting and distributing relevant information . Maintaining other relevant networks

2. Coordination of transnational activities . Facilitating all of the transnsational working groups including the TSC . Supporting all transnational work including meetings, conferences etc. . PR, dissemination and communications activities . Coordinating evaluation and research actions for the project

3. Administrative and Financial Functions . Progress reports . Interim and final evaluations . Financial audits and administrative tasks . Producing financial reports . Ensuring compliance with all EU regulations and guidelines

Transnational Working Groups (TWG)

Four transnational working groups have been established to carry out the specific actions relating to the project. Each group is focused on one of the main actions of the project:-

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 54 . Communications and Publicity . Research . Training and Mainstreaming . Demonstration Topics . Sub theme – Rational Use of Energy . Sub theme – Noise Pollution . Sub theme – Sustainable building materials

The TWG’s will comprise at least one member from each partner organisation as well as invited experts from the Expert Observers Network. These groups will meet monthly by tele-conference and bi-annually at rotating locations.

Function of TWG’s

. Agree definitive action plan for the programme . Ensure implementation . Review and monitor actions . Report to transnational Steering Committee

Local Implementation Teams (LIT)

These teams will be established in each partner areas where a demonstration project is being developed. This team will mange the general day to day operations of the local project, and will include such staff as are deemed necessary by the local partner.

Expert Observers Network (EON)

This is a network of internationally renowned experts in the area of sustainable building, ecological foot-printing, energy, noise etc. They will sit as invited members on the IWG’s and will attend various symposia, workshops etc. Their expertise and experience will support the research, training and implementation elements of the project as well as increasing the dissemination elements of the project

Project Management Structure

Local Implementation team Transnational - Management Team Local Implementation team - Transnational Steering Committee Local Implementation Team – Devon

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t n a l i l l l i n a o p e i a c n a a a i c i i u t s i l n n n n a m o a e n b o o o o

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t n n n n n s p p p o s s s s m n u u u n o n n n i m o o o a a a a a C r r r e r r r r T T G T G m T G D Sub- theme Sustainable Building Materials INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 55 Expert Observer Network

3.2 Administrative and Financial Management of the Project.

Describe the administrative and financial management of the project with particular emphasis on the audit trail and the way the accounts will be handled between partners. This Section should NOT be longer than 1 page.

Administrative and Financial Management of the Project

The financial administration of the project will be organised in a decentralised manner. All the partners will have a separate STAPLE account. Each partner will pay all local invoices.

The lead partner will responsible for the administrative and financial function of the overall project. The lead partner will compile a Financial Procedures Manual, which will detail the financial guidelines, and procedures that the project partners will adhere to. This manual will be complied with the ERDF regulations and statutory requirements relevant to each project partner.

The lead partner will operate a dedicated ”STAPLE” bank account. The project partners will also be required to operate a dedicated STAPLE bank account.

Financial Management Reporting and Responsibility

The financial management function will be vested in the lead partner. The project partners will report income/expenditure on a regular basis to the lead partner in line with guidelines issued by the lead partner. Each partner will be responsible to ensure that all expenditure complies with ERDF regulations and is not outside the remit of the programme. All monies will be allocated in accordance with the budget agreed with the secretariat and in relation to the actions carried out by each partner. The lead partner will undertake an internal audit at regular intervals of programme partners financial systems and transaction accounting.

Financial Systems

 An Income/Expenditure cash accounting system is the financial recording method used  Project partners will be required to report income/expenditure on a quarterly basis (or in line with programme reporting requirements)  Expenditure will be incurred in line with agreed budget parameters and monitored by the lead partner  Management accounts will be prepared by the lead partner collating income/expenditure incurred by partner  The Financial Manager will prepare Profit & Loss and Balance Sheet for annual audit  All accounting practices and procedures will be in line with recognized standard European account practices and procedures.

Matching Funding

Cork County Council, as the led partner commits itself to monitoring and ensuring compliance with all elements of matching funds for the INTERREG programme. The

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 56 organization will ensure that appropriate processes are put in place to monitor meeting’s consultations, staff time, voluntary labour, cash matching funds and matching funding in kind. All partners are committed to complying with agreed procedures.

Accountability and Transparency

Cork Country Council, as the designated partner, are fully aware that in handling public funds it is imperative that there is full accountability and transparency within the organization. The organization has detailed knowledge and experience in dealing with EU programmes and the related responsibility.

3.3 Auditors.

Who will be the certified auditors responsible for securing the correct use of ERDF funding? Please indicate their contact details.

James Byrne & Co., Chartered Accountant and Registered Auditor, 25 Bank Place, Mallow, Co. Cork Ireland

+353-22-21047 (t) +353-22-21877 (f)

Please ensure that a Joint Convention is negotiated between project partners and tailored to the project’s needs. At least a draft copy of this convention must be submitted with this Application Form as Annex VI.

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 57 SECTION 4 – CONFIRMATION, CERTIFICATION and SIGNATURE

Please note that Parts A, B and the authorised Annexes form an integral part of the Application Form.

4.1 By signing the Application Form, the Lead Partner hereby confirms that the project, in whole or in part, has not and will not receive any other EU funding during the INTERREG IIIB NWE Programme Period.

4.2 By signing the Application Form, the Lead Partner confirms that all partners in the partnership receiving funds from the INTERREG IIIB NWE Programme comply with the rules on Final Beneficiaries as stated in the INTERREG IIIB NWE Programme Complement.

4.3 By signing the Application Form, the Lead Partner confirms that all partners listed in the Application Form are committed to take part in the project’s activities.

4.4 By signing the Application Form, the Lead Partner confirms that public procurement on works, supplies and services contracts will take place in compliance with European Community Directives 92/50/EEC, 93/36/EEC, 93/37/EEC, 93/38/EEC, 97/52/EC, 98/4/EC and national regulations.

4.5 By signing the Application Form, the Lead Partner confirms that sufficient publicity will be accorded to the implementation of an EU funded project in compliance with Commission Decision 94/342/EC in order to attract the attention of potential recipients of Community assistance and to increase the public’s awareness of the Community’s role in co-financing the project.

4.6 Signature and Stamp of the Lead Partner Signature of Lead Partner Stamp of Lead Partner

Name and position within Lead Partner Organisation

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 58 Lead Partner Organisation

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 59 CHECKLIST

The Lead Partner must ensure that:

One paper version of the completed Application Form (all sections of ◊ Part A and Part B, plus authorised Annexes) is submitted in a ring binder to ease photocopying.

The paper version of the Application Form is signed and stamped by ◊ the Lead Partner.

One electronic version of the completed Application Form (all sections of Part A and Part B, plus authorised Annexes) is submitted ◊ on a floppy disk or CD-Rom. The document can be zipped in order to reduce the size of the files. Please ensure that identical applications are submitted in the electronic and paper versions.

The paper version and the electronic version of the Application Form are submitted by post to the Secretariat in one single package. It ◊ should be post-marked before the final deadline of the Call for Proposals.

The following Annexes are complete and included with the hard copy of the Application: ◊ Annex I Action Plan ◊ Annex II Implementation Schedule ◊ Annex III Planned Milestones for Phase I Annex IV Output Indicators, expected Results and Impacts per ◊ Measure ◊ Annex V Map showing the geographic scope of the Project ◊ Annex VI Negotiated and tailored Convention between Partners ◊ Annex VII Detailed Investment Sheets for each investment Annex VIII Original, signed Letters of Intent for each Partner ◊ contributing to the project ◊ Annex IX Bank Guarantees8 (if required for private partners) ◊ Annex X Two page summary of the project application

Additional documents other than the officially required Annexes listed above will NOT be taken into account when assessing the project and will be returned to the Lead Partner.

◊ The figures given in the Letters of Intent match the individual budget

8 PSC1 of 11th and 12th July 2002 decided that project Lead Partners need not absolutely submit a bank guarantee. Instead, the Lead Partners are required to provide a document that gives sufficient guarantee regarding the ERDF amount applied for.

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 60 figures given for each partner in part B of the Application Form exactly.

All partners contributing financially to the project are listed in the ◊ Application Form.

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A – Version 4 61 ANNEX I – ACTION PLAN Phase/Acti Action Name Reference Description Concrete Results/ Duratio Location of on numbers of Outcomes n Action Number partners (Month involved s) Phase 0 Preparation Phase 0.0 Start up meeting 1,2 Cork County Council and Partner search 6 1 Blackwater Resource Development were interested in participating in INTERREG III around the issue of sustainable building 0.1 Identification of 1,2,3,4 Pro-forma document and Project partners identified 3 1,3 Common Issues and partner search objectives 0.2 Establishment of 1,2,3,4,5 Metings in Cork, Wales, and Final partnership agreed in 10 1,3,4 transnational and Delft June 2003 regional partnerships 0.3 Agreement of project 1,2,3,4,5 Project partners worked on Action plan was developed 4 1 content this together and two meetings were held with the secretariat in Dublin, February and September 0.4 Agreement of budget 1,2,3,4,5 Technical elements of the Final budget agreed 2 1 investments worked out September ‘03 0.5 Preparation of the 1,2,3,4,5 Outline, application form, 2 1 application and letters of intent and joint partnership convention agreement Phase 1 Process and Implementatio Operations n 1.1 Setting up project 1,2,3,4,5 Project organisation Final agreement on final 2 1

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A - Annex I 1 management project management structures structures 1.2 Formation of 1,2,3,4,5 Appointment of individuals Consensus on committee 2 1 transnational to sit on all transnational structures steering group and committees working groups 1.3 Appointment of 1,2,3,4,5 Appointment of new and/or Interviews will take place 1 1,2,3,4,5 project staff existing project staff to locally INTERREG – STAPLE duties 1.4 Detailed planning 1,2,3,4,5 Detailed work plan for 2004 Work plans 1 1 meeting Outline work plan for 2005- 2006 Phase 2 Communications Publicity and 2.1 Project Website 1,2,3,4,5 Project website will be in Operation website for publicity, 8.59 1,3,4,510 place by June 2004 information and communications 2.2 Newsletter 1,2,3,4,5 Bi-annual newsletters, 6 Newsletters 18 1,3,4,5 disseminated widely, produced in English, French and Dutch 2.3.1 Progress Report 1,2,3,4,5 Produced for dissemination Progress report 2 1,3,4,5 and information purposes 2.3.2 Interim report 1,2,3,4,5 Produced at the mid term Interim report 3 1,3,4,5 stage of the project- will include some research results 2.3.3 Final Report 1,2,3,4,5 Consolidation of all Final report 6 1,3,4,5 information about the project, including research key findings and model of social housing

9 Allows 6 months for development and 1 day per month for updating and maintenance 10 Partners 1 and 2 are operating in a co-terminus geographic area, therefore location 1 signifies both partners

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A - Annex I 2 2.4 PR Strategy 2.4.1 Press Releases 1,2,3,4,5 Press releases on progress 6 per year in each partner 811 1,3,4,5 of project and key country milestones 2.4.2 Radio Slots 1,2,3,4,5 Radio interviews and 2 per year in each partner 812 1,3,4,5 commentary country 1 per year in each country in the NW Europe area 2.5 Conferences, Meetings 2.5.1 Starting Workshop 1,2,3,4,5 Involving all project Workplan for 2004 1 1 partners, working group Familiaraisation and getting to members and expert know you session for all observer network members 2.5.2 Partner meetings 1,2,3,4,5 Transnational work groups Teleconference monthly 3 1,3,4,5 Expert Observer Network Transnational meetings bi- annually 2.5.3 Specific Meetings 1,2,3,4,5 These will take place Raised awareness of project, 3 1,3,4,5 with Stakeholders throughout the project to funding and issues share information, network and mainstream 2.5.4 Policy Presentations 1,2,3,4,5 Structured policy 3 in each country over the 2 1,3,4,5 presentations to decision duration of the project makers 2.5.5 Energy Conference 1,2,3,4,5 To disseminate the findings International conference 1 1 of the energy research and to generate awareness of Irish investment project 2.5.6 Noise Pollution 1,2,3,4,5 To disseminate the findings International Conference 1 3 Conference of the noise pollution research and to generate awareness of Dutch investment project

11 Allows 2 days for a press release x 18 per year 12 Allows 2 days for a press release x 18 per year

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A - Annex I 3 2.5.7 Sustainable Building 1,2,3,4,5 To disseminate the findings International Conference 1 4 materials conference of the building materials research and to generate awareness of UK investment project 2.5.8 Final Conference 1,2,3,4,5 To disseminate the overall International Conference 1 5 findings of the project. Raise awareness and promote the new model of sustainable social housing 2.6 Demonstration Visits 1,2,3,4,5 To promote the actual 3 in each demonstration area 3 1,3,4 viability of the projects as in the last 6 months of the built structures. Raise project awareness of new methods Phase 3 Research 3.1 Cost Benefit Analysis 1,2,3,4,5 Developing a detailed cost Cost Benefit Analysis report 313 1,3,4,5 benefit analysis which will consider the financial, social and environmental impact of the project 3.2 Ecological Footprint 1,2,3,4,5 Ecological footprint report Ecological Footprint report 3 1,3,4 Study to do a comparative analysis of new model of social housing compared to a control scheme 3.3 Noise Pollution study 1,2,3,4,5 A detailed research study Noise Pollution Research report 5 3 on the most appropriate and innovative solutions 3.4 RUE and RES Study 1,2,3,4,5 Comprehensive research RUE and RES report for social 5 1 for Social Housing project on most appropriate housing solutions 3.5 Expert Observer 1,2,3,4,5 Attendance at all meetings, Active participation and advice 52 1,3,4,5 Network conferences and from members of the Expert

13 relates to number of days in project budget

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A - Annex I 4 workshops. Experts from Observer Network many disciplines will provide information advice and dissemination opportunities 3.6.1 Expert meeting of 1,2,3,4,5 Joint planning and design of Shared expertise 6 1,3,4 planners and demonstration schemes architects 3.6.2 Planning workshops 1,2,3,4,5 Including community Community involvement in the 6 1,3,4 consultation process project 3.6.3 Submission of 1,2,3,4,5 Based on sustainable 3 planning submissions 6 1,3,4 planning applications building guidelines from in three pilot areas research 3.7 Sustainable building 1,2,3,4,5 Building on findings from Sustainable building materials 5 4 materials research the commission task force report and creating an appropriate framework for a social housing model 3.8 Spatial Strategy 1,2,3,4,5 Piece of strategic research Spatial Strategy policy 3.2 5 research and to inform spatial and document planning territorial planning with reference to housing development Phase 4 Demonstration Investments 4.1 Sub-theme Energy Cork 4.1.1 Work preparation Direct 1, 2 Specific project planning, Local Project ready for 12 1 Indirect 3,4,5 design, local realisation communication and approval, tendering 4.1.2 Local Organisation 1,2 Contract developer and Project team in place 30 1 and Communication associated technical assistance 4.1.3 Project Development Direct 1, 2 Development of 12 houses Sustainable social housing 30 1 Indirect 3,4,5 built to high ecological project in place standards and piloting new

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A - Annex I 5 RUE/RES systems 4.2 Sub-theme Noise Delft Pollution 4.2.1 Work preparation Direct 3 Specific project planning, Local Project ready for 12 3 Indirect 1,2,45 design, local realisation communication and approval, tendering 4.2.2 Local Organisation 3 Contract developer and Project team in place 30 3 and Communication associated technical assistance 4.2.3 Project Development Direct 3 Development of innovative Sustainable social housing 30 3 Indirect 1,2,45 noise pollution protection project in place system in housing scheme – all houses built to similar standards to other demonstration investments 4.3 Sub- theme Devon Building materials 4.3.1 Work preparation Direct 4 Specific project planning, Local Project ready for 12 4 Indirect 1,2,3,5 design, local realisation communication and approval, tendering 4.3.2 Local Organisation 4 Contract developer and Project team in place 30 4 and Communication associated technical assistance 4.3.3 Project Development Direct 4 Development of 30 houses Sustainable social housing 30 4 Indirect 1,2,3,5 in High Bickingdon built to project in place highest ecological standards and incorporating innovative, sustainable building materials Phase 5 Training 5.1 Community Consultation 5.1.1 Work preparation Lead 5 Transnational working Community Consultation 3 5

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A - Annex I 6 1,2,3,4 group, agree priorities training programme prepared criteria etc. tender for experts 5.1.2 Training design and Lead 5 Prepare modules, consult Planning complete 6 5 agreement 1,2,3,4 with all partners and experts, agree programme 5.1.3 Community Lead 5 Training carried out in each 4 training programmes carried 12 1,3,4,5 Consultation Training 1,2,3,4 of the partner areas out 5.2 Construction Industry Training 5.2.1 Work preparation Lead 5 Transnational working Construction Industry training 3 5 1,2,3,4 group, agree priorities programme prepared criteria etc. tender for experts 5.2.2 Training design and Lead 5 Prepare modules, consult Planning complete 6 5 agreement 1,2,3,4 with all partners and experts, agree programme 5.2.3 Community Lead 5 Training carried out in each 4 training programmes carried 12 1,3,4,5 Consultation Training 1,2,3,4 of the partner areas out 5.3 Mainstream Training 5.3.1 Work preparation Lead 5 Transnational working Mainstream agencies 12 5,1 1,2,3,4 group, agree priorities approached criteria etc. meet with mainstream training agencies- prepare proposal 5.3.2 Training design and Lead 5 Work with mainstream Mainstream programme ready 12 5,1 agreement 1,2,3,4 agencies to develop to be rolled out modules, which can be accredited. Agree implementation procedures 5.3.3 Mainstream Training Lead 5 Mainstream training Mainstream training 12 1 Programme 1,2,3,4 programme commences in programme one partner country Phase 6 Consolidation and Evaluation 6.1 Evaluation 1,2,3,4,5 Project Review focusing on:- Justification of the efforts and 6 1

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A - Annex I 7 Partnership lessons learned Transnationality Dissemination Research Training Value of investments 6.2 Audit 1,2,3,4,5 Official commission Audit report 1 1 requirement Please insert extra rows if necessary

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A - Annex I 8 ANNEX II – IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE Phase/Acti Months from Project Start Date on 6 8 15 17 27 29 Number 1 2 3 4 5 M 7 M 9 10 11 12 13 14 M 16 M 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 M 28 M 30 O2 N2 D3 J3 F3 3 A3 3 J3 J3 A3 S3 J4 F4 4 A4 4 J4 J4 A4 S4 O4 N4 D4 J5 F5 5 A5 5 J5 Preparation Phase 0.0 0.1  0.2 14    0.3 0.4 0.5 Implementation Phase Phase 1 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 /  Phase 2 2.1 15 2.2 /    2.3  2.4.1 – /  2.4.2 

14  = Meeting /  = Partner meeting 15  Publication date M = Project milestone

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A - Annex II 1 2.4.3 2.5.1  2.5.2,        2.5.3, 2.5.4, 3.5 2.5. 2.5.5, 6 2.5.6, 2.5.7, 2.5.8 Phase 3 3.1  3.2  3.3  /  3.4  /  3.6 3.7   3.8 Phase 4 4.1.1 4.1.2  4.1.3 4.2.1 4.2.2  4.2.3 4.3.1 4.3.2  4.3.3

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A - Annex II 2 Phase 5 5.3.3   

Please insert extra rows if necessary. Please contact the Secretariat if the project is longer than 60 months (5 years). ANNEX II – IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE (continued) Phase/Acti Months from Project Start Date on 39 41 51 53 Number 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 M 40 M 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 M 52 M 54 J5 A5 S5 O5 N5 D5 J6 F6 6 A6 6 J6 J6 A6 S6 O6 N6 D6 J7 F7 7 A7 7 J7 55 56 57 58 59 60 Implementation Phase Phase 2 2.1 2.2    2.3   2.4.1 – 2.4.2 2.4.3  2.5.2,         2.5.3, 2.5.4, 3.5 2.5. 2.5. 2.5. 2.5.5, 5 7 8 2.5.6, 2.5.7, 2.5.8 2.6 Phase 3 3.1 

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A - Annex II 3 3.2  3.8  Phase 4 4.1.1. 4.1.2 4.1.3  4.2.1 4.2.2 4.2.3  4.3.1 4.3.2 4.3.3  Phase 5 5.1.1 5.1.2 5.1.3 5.2.1 5.2.2 5.2.3 5.3.1 5.3.2 5.3.3  Phase 6 6.1  6.2  Please insert extra rows if necessary. Please contact the Secretariat if the project is longer than 60 months (5 years).

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A - Annex II 4 ANNEX III – PLANNED MILESTONES FOR PHASE 1 (First 6 months of project implementation)

Title Phase 1 – Process and operation Implementation

Strategic Build up transnational and local INTERREG networks Commence Communication and Publicity Strategy Focus Commence Research actions

Actions 1.4 3.1 Involved 2.2 3.2 2.3 3.3 2.4.1-2.4.2 3.4 2.5 3.7

Describe the major activities and main outputs of each month Month 1 Setting up project management structures and systems Formation of transnational and regional partnerships Prepare tender documents for research actions 3.1, 3.2 and 3.7

Month 2 Appointment of Project staff First transnational workshop Accept tenders for research actions 3.1, 3.2 and 3.7

Month 3 Consolidation of Transational steering committee Consolidation of Implementation team and recruitment of final project staff Commence research actions 3.1, 3.2 and 3.7

Month 4 First newsletter published First project press releases in each partner country Contract consultant to undertake cost benefit analysis of social housing schemes and control site Contract consultant to undertake ecological foot print report

Month 5 Commence cost benefit analysis research Commence ecological foot print report/analysis

Month 6 Project Website goes live

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A - Annex III 1 ANNEX IV –

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A - Annex IV 2 ANNEX IV – OUTPUT INDICATORS, EXPECTED RESULTS AND IMPACTS MEASURE 4.1 Stronger ecological infrastructure, reduced ecological footprint

OUTPUT INDICATORS

Please mark which of the following statements correspond to the project. More than one statement can apply.

The project: a) improves air quality  b) improves waste management and reduces waste c) improves soil protection d) reduces environmental noise  e) reduces greenhouse gas emissions  f) implements a rational use of energy  g) increases the use of renewable energy sources  h) increases the use of combined heat and power i) reduces the use of non-renewable resources  j) increases the re-use and recycling of materials k) improves the environmental performance of enterprises l) contributes to the development of ecological corridors m) integrates risk management into more global and sustainable development strategies n) promotes resource-efficient settlement patterns  o) reduces environmental risks  p) promotes environmentally-friendly tourism q) improves the protection of and enhances cultural landscapes r) improves the protection of and enhances natural landscapes s) disseminates information on environmental issues  t) raises awareness of environmental issues, threats and  protection strategies

Please indicate target values (figures) for the following output indicators: a) the number of national, regional and local government 50 authorities involved b) the number of other public bodies involved 10 c) the number of third sector (non profit) organisations involved 25 d) the number of private bodies (profit-making) involved 20 e) the number of semi-public bodies or public-private 5 partnerships involved f) the volume of investments in firms 0 g) the volume of investments in fixed capital (such as small-scale 0

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A - Annex IV 3 infrastructure) h) the size of the population reached by awareness raising 5 million campaigns i) the number of transnational studies and databases completed 5 concerning resource interdependence with other areas j) the number of transnational studies and databases concerning contaminated sites k) the number of strategies and tools developed for the ecologically sound remediation of contaminated sites

EXPECTED RESULTS

Please mark which of the following results are expected from the project. More than one result can apply.

The project: a) improves planning and management strategies dealing with  the improvement of environmental quality, such as better air quality, improved waste management , soil protection and the reduction of environmental noise b) redirects planning and management strategies towards a  general reduction of the NWE environmental footprint, such as the reduction of gas emissions, a more rational use of energy, an increased use of renewable energy and of combined heat and power, a reduction in the quantity of waste c) redirects planning and management strategies towards an increased re-use and recycling of materials d) improves environmental awareness and performance in businesses e) improves strategies and planning practice related to the reduction of land consumption, urban sprawl and urban traffic f) improves strategies and planning practice related to the regeneration of biodiversity g) improves strategies and planning practice related to the increase in the surface of ecologically rich green spaces h) improves the integration of risk management into more global and sustainable development strategies i) improves the protection of and enhances natural and cultural landscapes j) increases awareness about environmental threats related to  climate change and biodiversity k) improves the knowledge of environmental conditions within NWE l) improves knowledge about resource interdependence with other areas m) improves knowledge about contaminated sites

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A - Annex IV 4 n) develops more efficient tools for the ecologically sound remediation and re-use of contaminated sites o) improves the efficiency of public policies related to natural resources p) increases efficiency in the management of natural resources q) increases knowledge of the efficiency of environmental policies in the context of regional development r) increases consistency between EU sectoral policies and the  objectives of Measure 4.1

EXPECTED IMPACTS

Does the project contribute to the following impacts? - Improvement of air quality  - Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions  - Reduction of the quantity of waste requiring final disposal at the source - Improvement of waste management - Increased re-use and recycling of materials - Safeguard of open spaces in urban fringes

- Reduction of environmental risks  - Increase of public security regarding environmental risks - Improvement of public health  - Better protection of eco-systems - Development of ecological networks within and across NWE  - Regeneration of biodiversity - Increase in the surface of ecologically rich green space - Development of low-impact tourism - Better protection and enhancement of natural and cultural landscapes Please quantify the contribution of the project to the impacts listed above using the following indicators if applicable: a) the area where soil quality has been improved (in m2) 42492 m2 b) the number of people benefiting from an improved air quality 500 c) the number of people benefiting from noise reduction 500 d) the reduction in the quantity of waste requiring final disposal (in tonnes) e) the increase in re-used and recycled materials (in tonnes) f) the increase of safeguarded open space (in m2) g) the increase in the surface of ecologically rich green space (in m2)

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A - Annex IV 5 h) the number of ecological networks created 1 i) the area where investments have an impact (in km2) 129.5K m2

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A - Annex IV 6 ANNEX V – MAP SHOWING THE GEOGRAPHIC SCOPE OF THE PROJECT

See Section 2.4 of the Application Form.

Investment Location 1 – Lombardstown, Co. Cork, IRL

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A - Annex V 1 Investment Location 2 – Delft, NL

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A - Annex VI 1 Investment Location 3 – Devon, UK

INTERREG IIIB NWE Application Form Part A - Annex X 1