Launch Day, 27th October, 1998

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The successful completion of the houses is a result of five years planning, building and development. The launch day was an opportunity to celebrate our achievement and say thank you to all those who have been involved in the project. It also marks the move towards the next phase of the project, the demonstration of sustainable living in practice. The focus for the project will now be to develop the trading company (HHP Trading Ltd), thereby providing an income for company members which is based on sustainability.

On October 27th 1998 Nick Raynsford MP, Construction Minister (pictured), formally opened the project. Over 100 guests joined us on our launch day, including individuals who had supported and helped the project, suppliers and media. Visitors were given house tours, bike taxi rides, an opportunity to look at our new exhibition and videos, and provided with refreshments.

The launch received extensive coverage, featuring on BBC 6 o'clock News, Radio 4 'Today' programme, Sky News, Central News, and in the Daily Telegraph. Live links were also set up for ministerial interviews with Sky and Central.

Members of the project felt very satisfied with the launch and would like to thank all those that helped us on the day, in particular the Co-op Bank for providing refreshments and Martin Smith of De Montfort University for driving the electric car.

The Hockerton Housing Project has had to overcome a series of hurdles. It was by no means certain that the project would succeed during early years of planning. The fact that the project has completed the construction phase is testimony to the determination and enthusiasm of it's members, as well as the support and encouragement it has received.

Members of the Hockerton Housing Project came together in 1993 to daft a proposal for five earth-sheltered houses to be built on a 25-acre site outside the village of Hockerton. The houses were to be the centre of a sustainable development using minimal energy and with little environmental impact. Electricity would be generated by an on site wind turbine, water collected for all household needs, and sewage treated on site. The dwellings were seen as the focus of a holistic way of living, with the production of organic foods, development of lakes where fish could be farmed, planting of trees and encouragement of wildlife. Employment would be generated in ecologically sound businesses.

The planning application was considered in May 1994, and approved subject to a section 106 agreement. However this took a further two years to set up, delaying construction until August 1996. In February 1998 the first family moved into 1 Mystery Hill, followed sequentially by 2-5 Mystery Hill over the remainder of the year.

The wind turbine had to be applied for separately. Two applications in 1995 and 1996 failed. Most of the issues concerning the application have been addressed and the group is optimistic that the third application, due to be considered December 1998, will be successful. This will allow the project to complete its objective of being a 'net zero CO₂-emission development'.