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. 

Related articles

Putting purpose to work: social infrastructure, foundations and endowments 
Care homesAffordable housing
15 May 2026

Putting purpose to work: social infrastructure, foundations and endowments 

Foundations are rethinking how their capital works. Beyond grant-making, investment strategies are increasingly being aligned with mission. Social infrastructure – from affordable housing to care – offers a way to deliver long-term returns while contributing to essential services. For endowments, it’s an approach that can bring purpose and portfolio closer together.
Octopus Capital and Barratt Homes to deliver 110 new affordable homes across East England
9 Apr 2026

Octopus Capital and Barratt Homes to deliver 110 new affordable homes across East England

Octopus Capital has announced a partnership with Barratt Homes to deliver 110 affordable, energy‑efficient homes across Suffolk and Cambridgeshire. Backed by long‑term investment from the Octopus Affordable Housing strategy, the developments will provide affordable rent and shared ownership homes, supporting local housing needs and helping address affordability pressures across East England communities.
Share