Pickard Properties is combining heritage and innovation at its Spinning Acres development in Far Headingley, Leeds, where it is installing a state-of-the-art ground source heating system to provide heat and hot water to the 19th Century villas, Moor Grange and Moorfield Lodge.
The system, designed and installed by Kensa, the UK’s leading ground source heat pump manufacturer and installer, will help future residents benefit from low cost, low-carbon heating while preserving the character of the historic buildings.
The installation forms part of a £5million refurbishment to transform Moor Grange into six apartments and two houses and Moorfield Lodge featuring six apartments. The regeneration of Moor Grange and Moorfield Lodge is being delivered by Weetwood-based C&AJ Marshall Builders, as part of Pickard Properties’ £40million investment programme at Spinning Acres, a new community revitalising a former University of Leeds estate.
The Kensa system works by transferring heat from the ground, where temperatures remain stable throughout the year, via a shared ground array with 110-metre-deep boreholes. This renewable energy is then used to efficiently provide space heating and hot water to the properties.
Located within the Far Headingley Conservation Area, Spinning Acres takes inspiration from the area’s historic links with the textile industry. The regeneration of Moor Grange and Moorfield Lodge reinforces Pickard Properties’ commitment to creating a vibrant, sustainable community that celebrates both heritage and innovation.
The two villas, which face onto the central green at Spinning Acres, each have their own distinct history.
Moorfield Lodge was built on land awarded to Leeds cloth merchant George Bischoff under the 1829 Headingley Moor Inclosure Act. Moor Grange was once home to Professor Arthur Mayo-Robson, a pioneering surgeon and former professor of surgery at the Yorkshire College, the forerunner of the University of Leeds.
Following his death in 1899, the property was acquired by the Middleton family, who were related to the forebears of HRH The Princess of Wales.
Later, Moor Grange was incorporated into Tetley Hall as part of the University of Leeds’ estate, its unique character preserved through careful conservation.
Kensa, which is partly owned by Legal & General and Octopus Energy Generation, has installed nearly 20,000 ground source heat pumps across the UK. The company has helped save more than one million tonnes of carbon emissions by decarbonising heat for thousands of homes and businesses.
Miles Pickard, Director of Pickard Properties, said: “Spinning Acres is about breathing new life into historic buildings while ensuring they are sustainable and efficient for future generations. The installation of ground source heat pumps at Moor Grange and Moorfield Lodge reflects our belief that heritage and sustainability can, and should, go hand in hand.
“These homes will be part of our long-term rental portfolio, so we want to ensure they are futureproofed with modern, energy-efficient systems that enhance comfort and reduce environmental impact while retaining the craftsmanship and beauty of these remarkable villas.”
Iain Carr, Pre-Construction Director at Kensa, said: “It’s fantastic to see sustainable heating technology being integrated into buildings of such architectural and historical importance. Our systems are designed to deliver reliable, low-carbon heat while being sympathetic to the fabric and function of heritage properties.
“This collaboration with Pickard Properties demonstrates how innovation can help protect the legacy of the past while delivering a greener future.”
