The Waterside is believed to be the first zero carbon retirement development in the UK. Offering a range of 37 spacious, carbon-neutral, independent-living bungalows for over-55s, the new community sits within the picturesque landscaped grounds of the award-winning Middleton Hall Retirement Village. Dwellings are designed to the Fabric Energy Efficiency Standard (FEES) and to the Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH) Level 6. Bungalows are available in a range of Arts-and-Crafts inspired, low-maintenance designs. A variety of character areas featuring garden and lakeside settings. The architectural style fits the wider Darlington character and blends traditional values with high specification, contemporary design features appropriate to the setting of the Grade 2 listed Middleton Hall. Formal and informal courts allow privacy and encourage community-living with ‘open-plan’ garden areas extending into the landscape and links through woodland walks and cycle paths to superb nearby facilities. The bungalows benefit from Energy Saving Trust Enhanced Construction Detailing and mechanically-ventilated heat recovery systems aloow high levels of thermal insulation and air tightness. Primary heating in the form of electric panel heaters using electricity generated by on-site PV arrays has led to residents from the first phase of the development receiving zero energy bills in their first year, demonstrating the development uses less energy than is generated on-site. Secondary heating is provided by log burning stoves which are fuelled by wood from the on-site woodland.