Carpenter’s Yard: What the future of housing could look like

31 Mar 2026 Reading time: < 1 minute

At Carpenter’s Yard in Thornwood, Epping Forest, 113 homes – including 35 affordable homes – are connected through a shared Zero Bills™️ community microgrid. 

Powered by solar, heat pumps and communal battery storage, every home is eligible for Octopus Energy’s Zero Bills tariff, removing electricity bills for residents for at least 5-10 years. 

Delivered by gs8 and funded by Octopus Capital through the Greener Homes Alliance with Homes England, with 35 homes acquired through our Affordable Housing strategy, Carpenter’s Yard shows how long-term capital, partnership and smart energy design can come together to lower living costs – without compromising on quality. 

Watch how this community is being built. 

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