Energy efficiency and sustainability are central to plans for the facility in South Marston.
Emma Bushell, Deputy Leader of Swindon Borough Council and Ambassador for the Greener Swindon mission, recently visited Coate Water Care to hear more about the scheme.
Earlier this year, Coate Water Care secured planning permission to convert an office building at 9 Lancaster Mews on the South Marston Industrial Estate into a 60-bed nursing and residential care home for older people.
During the visit, Jamie Smith, Director at Coate Water Care, explained how the development will incorporate solar panels and a ground source heat pump system.
The renewable technology is expected to meet the majority of the home’s operational energy demand, resulting in very low day-to-day carbon emissions.
It is estimated that around 40 per cent of a typical care home’s carbon emissions come from heating, cooling and lighting.
Water heating alone can account for up to 30 per cent of daily energy use.
The new home will also include grey water reuse, capturing water from showers, sinks, baths and washing machines, as well as rainwater harvesting to improve efficiency.
The Care Quality Commission has embedded sustainability within its regulatory framework as part of efforts to drive improvement across the sector.
While its primary focus remains on care standards and patient outcomes, environmentally responsible practice is increasingly seen as part of long-term operational success.
Councillor Bushell said: “Climate change requires all of us – individuals and businesses – to think differently and put sustainability at the heart of our decisions.
“It is impressive to see Coate Water Care leading by example. By prioritising energy efficiency from the outset, the company is going the extra mile to ensure this new care home operates with a minimal carbon footprint.
Their investment in renewable energy and smart design will also help reduce running costs by lowering reliance on grid-supplied power.
Jamie Smith, Director of Coate Water Care, said:
“For the last 10 years Coate Water Care have been passionate about reducing the impacts our homes have on the environment and the wider communities.
“Our ongoing sustainability programme is focused on reducing our carbon footprint and achieving our sustainability goals.
“This new flagship care home offers us the opportunity to go one step further.
“From its inception our goal has been to achieve as close to net zero as possible, while still delivering quality care and supporting the local community.”
