In 2013, Park Ecovillage Trust set itself the ambitious goal of overseeing the creation of 25 affordable homes at the Park by 2025 – an initiative known as 25:25. We surpassed that goal when eight new homes at Woodside, North Whins were completed and opened to tenants in August 2022.

Reaching this milestone took years of hard work to secure land, financing, design and construction expertise, alongside innovative approaches to low-energy heating and sustainable building.

Today, PET manages 26 affordable eco-homes across four sites at the Park Ecovillage, Findhorn. Our housing combines affordability with a commitment to environmentally responsible design, energy efficiency, healthy indoor environments and low running costs.

The homes have been developed to high ecological standards appropriate to their time of construction, incorporating features such as high levels of insulation, energy-efficient design, renewable and low-carbon heating systems, natural materials and mechanical ventilation where appropriate. Each development reflects the learning and experience gained through PET’s evolving housing programme.

Our 26 homes are:

• East Whins – 4 homes: two Caring Flats and two shared-ownership family houses, completed in 2012.
• West Whins – 6 homes: four one-bedroom flats and two studio flats, completed in 2017.
• Woodside, North Whins – 8 homes: four studio flats and four two-bedroom homes, completed in 2022.
• Silvertrees – 8 homes: four one-bedroom homes and four two-bedroom homes, completed in 2021.

At East Whins, the homes incorporate energy-efficient design and renewable technologies, including air-source heat pumps and solar thermal panels..

The homes at West Whins and Woodside were developed with a particularly strong focus on energy efficiency and low running costs.

West Whins, for example, was designed to a high eco-specification and incorporated principles associated with Passivhaus, although it was not a certified Passivhaus development.