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News for March 2003

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HHP plans to create new Sustainable Resource Centre

The Hockerton Housing Project (HHP) has established itself as an exemplar of sustainable development, locally and nationally - currently it receives over 100 enquiries per month and over 1000 visitors a year. However, the numbers of visitors to HHP has been so far restricted due to lack of suitable facilities so that it has been unable to meet the growing interest from schools, colleges and other interest groups. In addition HHP members have to date made considerable use of their own homes, as there are no dedicated non-domestic building facilities on site, with an obvious impact on privacy.

The community members of the Hockerton Housing Project (HHP) have had a long ambition to provide better facilities to demonstrate its sustainable achievements. As the interest has grown in HHP and more generally in environmental issues the need for a dedicated Sustainable Resource Centre on the site seems ever more apparent.

Before embarking on developing HHP further it was decided that it was necessary to undertake a formal feasibility study in order to better understand the needs of the groups we would target, the most effective way of involving local communities and agencies and the financial viability of such a centre. HHP therefore initiated a feasibility study in November 2002, funded by a £4,799 Lottery grant from the SEED Programme, under its 'small grants scheme’.

With the feasibility study now completed, HHP have developed a business plan on how it can most effectively meet visitor needs, whilst balancing the privacy issues of HHP residents. HHP wants to focus primarily on groups that can make a significant impact on affecting change to more sustainable ways of developing homes and communities, but also raise awareness and understanding of sustainable issues through schools, colleges and universities. It is anticipated that HHP will be able to double or treble it’s visitor numbers over the next few years.

The feasibility study has confirmed the need for improved facilities and endorsed the concept of a Sustainable Resource Centre. It has also enabled the HHP community members to prioritise what should be the key actions to deliver such a facility.

·        The upgrade of Hockerton Housing Project to a more valuable and far-reaching Sustainable Resource Centre (SRC).  Most of the new amenities would be focused around an ‘eco-barn’ situated near and complimenting the houses, including a dedicated audio-visual room, seminar facilities and permanent exhibitions.

·        The SRC will be an inspirational centre and act as regional catalyst for sustainable action, offering improved facilities and more extensive activities for a wide range of interest groups, particularly local schools.

More specific objectives include: producing a ‘HHP Teacher’s Educational Resource Pack’, providing training and education on key sustainable themes through facilitating school visits and practical technical workshops, increase local awareness of sustainability through themed event days run at HHP, and developing a sustainable transport plan for HHP visitors and local community.

Due to the potential size of this project including construction of a new building it will not be possible to achieve all the objectives through one funding programme. HHP is therefore investigating a number of sources of potential funding, including the SEED Programme. Any suggestions or offers for funding would be most welcome.

It is hoped that work on developing the new facilities will start this spring/summer.

Additional Notes

1.      The East Midlands has a growing reputation for sustainable development with a cluster of projects resulting in increasing interest and visitors to the district. Facilities in the area and at HHP currently do not match the level of interest. HHP has identified less than 50 sustainable housing schemes in the UK that provide access to visitors, many of which have limited dedicated facilities. Of the 7 schemes identified in the East Midlands only 2 provide dedicated visitor facilities.  

2.      To meet project interest, HHP has developed a range of services through the creation of a small not-for-profit based co-operative business; including guided tours of the development, workshops, and publication of sustainable guides. HHP is unique for the area, and more widely, in being a living practical example of sustainable development/ lifestyle providing a ‘real life’ element combining practical demonstration of sustainable build and renewable technologies.

3.      The Social, Economic and Environmental Development (SEED) Programme

a.       In September 2000 the New Opportunities Fund, a National Lottery ‘good cause’ distributor, appointed the Royal Society for Nature Conservation (RSNC) as an Award Partner in its Green Spaces and Sustainable Communities funding programme. Through this, RSNC’s £15.3 million Social, Economic and Environmental Development (SEED) Programme is to distribute grants to communities throughout England before the end of December 2004.

b.      The New Opportunities Fund distributes National Lottery money to health, education and environment projects across the UK.  The Fund works with national, regional and local partners from the public, private and voluntary sectors to fund initiatives, with particular focus on the needs of those who are most disadvantaged in society.

c.       Press Contacts

SEED Programme press office: 01636 670 062

Email: mdrain@rsnc.cix.co.uk, website: www.rsnc.org/seed.

New Opportunities Fund press office: 020 7211 1888, mobile: 07867 500 572.

website: www.nof.org.uk.

d.      For grant Application Packs tel: 0845 0000 121, or visit www.rsnc.org/seed.

 

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