New Swindon care home to be powered by renewable energy
Energy efficiency and sustainability are central to the design of a new state-of-the-art care home set to open in South Marston next year.
Published: Friday, 13th March 2026
Councillor Emma Bushell, Deputy Leader of Swindon Borough Council and Ambassador for the Greener Swindon mission, recently visited Coate Water Care - a family‑run provider of nursing and residential care for older people - to learn more about the company’s ambitious plans.
Earlier this year, Coate Water Care secured planning permission to transform an office building at 9 Lancaster Mews, on the South Marston Industrial Estate, into a modern care home with capacity for 60 residents.
During the visit, Jamie Smith, Director at Coate Water Care, outlined how the new building will incorporate a range of renewable technologies, including solar panels and a ground source heat pump system.
These features are designed to ensure that renewable energy will meet the vast majority of the home’s operational needs, resulting in extremely low day‑to‑day carbon emissions.
Typically, around 40 per cent of a care home’s total carbon emissions are generated from heating, cooling and lighting. Within that, water heating alone can account for up to 30 per cent of daily energy use, making it another major contributor.
The new care home will also integrate grey water reuse - capturing water from showers, sinks, baths and washing machines - alongside rainwater harvesting to optimise water usage and further enhance environmental performance.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has incorporated sustainability into its regulatory framework as part of its commitment to driving continuous improvement across the sector.
While the core focus of the CQC remains on care quality and patient outcomes, sustainability now intersects with these goals, as environmentally conscious practices are seen as integral to long-term operational success and community well-being.
Councillor Bushell said: “Climate change requires all of us - individuals and businesses - to think differently and put sustainability at the heart of our decisions.
“It is impressive to see Coate Water Care leading by example. By prioritising energy efficiency from the outset, the company is going the extra mile to ensure this new care home operates with a minimal carbon footprint. Their investment in renewable energy and smart design will also help reduce running costs by lowering reliance on grid‑supplied power.
“It was a pleasure to visit the site and see firsthand the passion behind this project. I look forward to the opening of the new care home next year.”
Jamie Smith, Director of Coate Water Care, said: "For the last 10 years Coate Water Care have been passionate about reducing the impacts our homes have on the environment and the wider communities.
"Our ongoing sustainability programme is focused on reducing our carbon footprint and achieving our sustainability goals.
"This new flagship care home offers us the opportunity to go one step further.
"From its inception our goal has been to achieve as close to net zero as possible, while still delivering quality care and supporting the local community."