Zero Bills home featured on The One Show
A life-changing shift
Clarion Housing Group consistently aims to work ahead of the curve and is committed to supporting its residents through the cost of living crisis. With households continuing to face rising prices, providing long-term financial stability and energy-efficient homes has never been more important. That’s why Clarion was approached by Octopus Energy to work with them and The Hill Group to deliver the UK’s largest ever Zero Bills development.
Completed earlier this year, the scheme at Hollymead Square in Essex comprises 89 homes designed to produce more energy than they use through cutting-edge low-carbon technology. Each home includes features such as solar panels, high-quality insulation, heat pumps and home battery storage, all managed through Octopus’s smart energy platform to optimise efficiency and ensure residents have no energy bills.
25 of the homes are for affordable rent and shared ownership, marking the first time in the UK that Zero Bills homes have been available for affordable rent. By integrating affordable tenures into a scheme of this scale, Clarion is helping ensure that the financial and environmental benefits of Zero Bills living are accessible to more people.
Clarion residents have now moved in, and early feedback highlights the real difference these homes can make. Residents will benefit from more energy-efficient homes and no energy bills for at least five years, offering meaningful financial relief and a greater sense of stability at a time when household budgets are under considerable pressure. For many, the prospect of living in a home that is both greener and significantly cheaper to run represents a life-changing shift.
The impact of the development was recently highlighted on BBC’s The One Show, where a Clarion resident spoke about their experience of living in a Zero Bills home and the difference it has already made to their daily life.
The feature helped shine a spotlight on how Zero Bills homes can support those most affected by rising costs, while also showcasing Clarion’s commitment to delivering practical solutions to the challenges facing residents.
The partnership between Octopus Energy, The Hill Group and Clarion brings together leading expertise in sustainable construction, renewable energy and affordable housing. By combining these strengths, the development demonstrates how innovative design and technology can be integrated into new homes at scale, and crucially, across different tenures.
As the UK works towards its net zero ambitions, the project provides a blueprint for how low-carbon homes can contribute to both environmental goals and affordability. For Clarion, it also reflects a core principle: that high-quality, sustainable homes should be available to everyone, regardless of income.
This landmark scheme builds on Clarion’s broader commitment to tackling fuel poverty, improving energy efficiency and investing in homes that support residents’ wellbeing. From large-scale retrofit programmes to new developments built to high environmental standards, Clarion continues to explore ways to reduce costs, cut carbon and future-proof its homes.
Michael Cottrell, Zero Bills Homes Director at Octopus Energy, commented:
“This partnership with The Hill Group is the first giant leap in transforming the way we live in our homes and consume energy. This will also mark both the biggest ‘Zero Bills’ development in the UK and the first with affordable rent options with Clarion. This partnership pioneers a future where sustainable living is the standard for everybody, no matter their situation.”
Richard Cook, Group Director of Development at Clarion Housing Group, said:
“We are thrilled to be partnering with Octopus Energy and Hill Group on such an innovative project. It’s crucial that we cut emissions and cut bills for homes of all tenures. I am proud that Clarion residents are among the first to benefit from a Zero Bills home.”