Powys' first ever Passivhaus primary school and housing development have earned two top award nominations.

Building contractor Pave Aways has been shortlisted in the sustainability category in the Wales Property Awards for Passivhaus homes it built in Sarn and the new Welshpool Church in Wales Primary School for Powys County Council.

Passivhaus buildings are designed to use low energy for heating and cooling homes. The £1.3m development in Sarn, near Newtown, include solar panels and mechanical heat ventilation recovery systems.

County Times: Welshpool Church in Wales Primary School. Picture: Eleri ParryWelshpool Church in Wales Primary School. Picture: Eleri Parry

Pave Aways took over the building of the partially completed Welshpool Church in Wales School in January 2020, following the collapse of the original contractor. The 360-pupil school was built around a sustainably sourced timber frame and features a superior level of insulation and was built to be airtight. It also has a heat recovery and ventilation system and solar panels on the roof to minimise running costs.

Managing Director Steven Owen said both projects were equally deserving winners.

“Both schemes were delivered during a testing time for construction following Brexit and during the Covid pandemic, so it is testament to the hard work of our team, our partners, our sub-contractors and suppliers, that they have been recognised in these awards,” he said.

“There’s some tough competition from other big industry names, so to be shortlisted is an achievement in itself,” he added.

Pave Aways will find out if they have won the award at a ceremony in Cardiff City Hall on September 15.