Community Heat Hub with GTC and Taylor Wimpey

Westland Heath, Sudbury, Suffolk is a major new development where GTC is delivering fully integrated multi-utilities infrastructure, including a zero-carbon heat network serving 950 homes and a new local school.


At the heart of the scheme is an award-winning Community Heat Hub powered by networked air source heat pumps, providing reliable, low-cost heating and hot water at scale. The system demonstrates how low-carbon heat networks can be successfully delivered beyond dense urban settings, offering a practical and future-ready solution for new communities.

 

Benefits:

  • Provides a coordinated, efficient heat supply while simplifying on‑plot design, reducing space constraints, and centralising heat generation to support more usable internal layouts.

 

Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs):

  • Optimised efficiency – thermal stores balance peak demand
  • Smarter Grid Use – reduces peak electrical site demand by up to 15%
  • Space-saving – compact HIU replaces gas boiler; no cylinder or bulky outside unit Future Homes Standard compliant – cuts carbon by 75-80% from day one

 

Technology:

Efficient Design. Future-Ready.

  • Low-temperature network – 60°C design with insulated polymer pipes
  • Space-saving – compact HIU fits neatly indoors; no external ASHP
  • No cylinder required – HIU delivers instant heating and hot water on demand
  • Thermal stores – charge at night-time rates for low-cost heat at peak times
  • Future-proof – ready for grid decarbonisation without retrofits

Details of the Site Visit

Date: Thursday, 19th March 2026

Times:  12.30-3pm

Location:  Acton Lane, Chilton Woods, Sudbury, Suffolk,, CO10 1PU (What3Words: smarter.twilight.announced)

PPE: Hard hat, protective boots and high viz (high viz can be supplied if needed)

Capacity: 20 attendees

Join the Site Visit

Andrew White

Managing Director, Metropolitan (BUUK Infrastructure Group)

 

Andrew White holds a BSc in Environmental Geology from Royal Holloway, University of London, and an MBA from the University of Surrey. With over 25 years of experience in renewable energy and heat networks, he leads Metropolitan, BUUK’s heat business. Andrew has played a key role in developing GTC’s Community Heat Hubs and Networked Ground Source Heat Pump solutions, helping to deliver practical, low-carbon systems for new developments. He works closely with housing developers, local authorities, and policymakers to support the UK’s transition to net zero.


Martin Eaton

Technical Manager (Design/Utilities), Taylor Wimpey London

 

Martin brings over 30 years of experience in the construction industry, having begun his career after leaving the armed forces in the 1990s. His career has come full circle, starting with McLean Homes and returning to Taylor Wimpey London in 2014. Martin specialises in utility procurement and design, working closely with the TW London planning team across land acquisition and development, and playing a key role in implementing the London Plan’s requirements for heat networks in the London business unit. He is also the project lead for the UK’s first rural Community Heat Hub low carbon heating scheme at Chilton Woods, demonstrating that heat networks can be successfully delivered in low density developments, not just high-rise urban settings.