News for May 2000
29th May 2000– Cor! A CormorantAlthough very interesting to have this prehistoric (one of the oldest birds in evolutionary terms)bird visit our lake it was not entirely welcomed. Now a regular bird on our inland water ways they can be seen invariably on the local river Trent. We presume thee one that visited us was either fed up with it’s mates on the Trent, or saw us as easy pickings looking very enviously at our healthy carp.
End May 2000 – Appeals inspectorate rejects Fiskerton low energy home schemeHockerton Housing Project has been involved over the last year in an application for 12 semi-detached energy efficient homes built on 2.5 acres of land next to Fiskerton railway station, near Southwell. The original application was rejected last summer, primarily due to being outside the village envelope. We appealed against this decision earlier this year, but on 16/5/00 this was dismissed. The main issue: - "It is not in dispute that the appeal site lies in open countryside where national and local planning policies prohibit housing not justified by agricultural need. What is at issue is whether the sustainable form of housing development proposed in this case and its targeting at lower income groups justify an exception to countryside policies." Conclusion: - "The concept of providing sustainable housing on a rural exception site seems to me in principle to be a good one. But in a number of important respects the development proposed in this case does not accord with the policy for affordable housing at national and local level. In my view the attractive aspects of the scheme in terms of construction (….the proposal demonstrates ingenuity in minimizing the use of energy in the construction and use of the houses - taken from previous report section) and use do not outweigh these clear policy objections." For more details on the history of these proposals see Fiskerton and if you require more details on the ‘Appeal Decision’ please contact us. Although not surprised by the decision, we are nevertheless disappointed. It is sad that any land that can readily obtain planning permission attracts a considerable price premium, which leads most developers to build ‘Executive’ housing in order to recover land costs and maximize profit. Unless the system changes to encourage lower cost/energy efficient housing to make it possible, it is going to be difficult to bring energy efficiency into the starter market. We need more regional and national Government guidance for planning authorities on how best to address this issue. Many local authorities have contacted us directly examining how they can make this sort of development possible. It’s not going to be easy under the current guidelines!
PRESS RELEASE (23rd May 2000) – SunDay 18th June - Hockerton Housing Project joins groups across Europe to celebrate power of the SunSunday June 18 will be the day that people across Europe celebrate the power of the Sun and renewable energy. Who says so? Hockerton Housing Project in association with the International Solar Energy Society (ISES) [1]. This annual celebration, held on or around the summer solstice, has people from Italy to Norway organizing and manning events to demonstrate renewable energy. The U.K. branch of ISES, the Solar Energy Society [2], is co-ordinating events across Britain, in a bid to show as many people as possible the enormous potential of different types of renewable energy. In England and Wales alone there will be open days at wind farms, nature reserves, parks and gardens, where all sorts of alternative technologies will be on display. Meanwhile at Hockerton……….A guided tour of the famous earth sheltered housing project. These revolutionary dwellings have been built with no central heating system. All the heat required to keep warm comes from energy stored from the sun, the occupant’s own bodies and appliances. But this is just part of a holistic project, where they collect their own water, treat their own sewage, grow their own food and harvest fish from the lake. The programme will consist of a slide presentation, site tour, and house tour with a small exhibition and light refreshments. A limited range of relevant publications and goods will be available on the day. Visits only by booking ahead please (numbers unfortunately are limited). A charge of £10/person will be made. All monies raised will be used to further promote green living. Not suitable for children under 12. Contact: Nick White or Sandy Martin, 01636 816902, hhp@hockerton.demon.co.uk The major benefits of wind and solar power are that they are non-polluting, and therefore do not contribute to climate change. SunDay has been organised to highlight these benefits and to show people how to reduce the use of fossil fuels, in order to help protect the environment. SunDay aims to show that renewable energy can meet local energy needs, help alleviate environmental damage, political instability and economic problems caused by the dependence on fossil and nuclear fuels. ISES supports the European Union target to double the proportion of energy supplied from renewable sources, from the present 6% to 12% by 2010. Details of the European events can be found on the website www.sundayeurope.com SunDay 2000 is sponsored by TXU Europe [3] (formerly Eastern Generation), the fourth largest UK electricity generator. TXU Europe has a target to generate 10% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2010. Notes for Editors
In October 1997 the company (then known as Eastern) announced the ambition to generate 10% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2010. To realise this target, a portfolio of renewable energy projects is under development both in the UK and abroad. The initial focus has been on wind power with community scale developments now announced in Cambridgeshire, Devon, Wales and the Western Isles of Scotland. In total over 20 on-shore wind sites are now in the development process. TXU Europe Power’s first wind energy facility, a 1MW wind turbine installed in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, entered operation in December 1998. Moving into the new millenium will see TXU Europe Power expanding into renewable energy schemes utilising biomass, small-scale hydro and offshore wind. 4. A list of events across the UK can be obtained from the Solar Energy Society Secretariat, tel. 01865 484367, e-mail solarsunday@hotmail.com Additional Information
22nd May 2000 – Home-fronted again !!!We were surprised tonight to catch another repeat of BBC2’s Home Front programme that included a nine minute piece on greening the lounge of one of the project member’s homes. Originally filmed and broadcast in 1998, this is the third repeat of the episode that we are aware of. The BBC certainly makes efficient use of their programming. The piece was about how a lounge could be decorated and furnished using environmentally friendly materials without being green and grundgy. So Anne McKevitt the designer chose boldly coloured stripes for the walls, coconut waste as a stuffing for cushions, FSC labeled wood for storage and boxing in, and low energy light bulbs. The BBC also had specially commissioned a coffee table made from waste coffee cups ands coat hangers. You will be able to see the stipey lounge if come on the site visit on June 18th –To book a place, see ‘Sitetours’. It has generally been another busy month with the media, including appearing on Yorkshire TV, and articles in ‘Green Futures’ (Forum for a Future magazine) and ‘Real Money ‘ magazine. See ‘Media Publicity’ for more details of project coverage in the media.
20th May 2000 - Five Goslings are a swimmingAfter battling out burning April sunshine and soggy May weather, five goslings appeared on the wildlife pond. These were the result of a pair of Canada Geese nesting on the little island. Although Canada Geese are not always wildly popular, not being an indigenous species, and fouling banks, it is a no doubt a good demonstration of the quality of environment offered at the project that it can manage to support another breeding waterfowl species. We already have five other breeding species; mallard, coot, moorhen, tufted duck, little grebe. Recently we have also seen around the site the return of a number of summer migrant birds, including; swallow, house martins, swift and a cuckoo.
15th May 2000 – Derby Museum hears about HHPOne of Hockerton’s project member’s was today guest speaker at Derby Museum. This was part of an environment week that the museum is managing with a series of events. Over twenty people came to hear Simon Tilley talking about the Hockerton Housing Project. The talk received publicity on the day from RAM Radio Derby. The museum is also arranging a combined site visit and trip to nearby Southwell Minster on Saturday 8th July. For more details contact Bill Grange, 01332 551403 The project has been invited to speak to a very wide range of audiences over the last few years. These have included Government departments, a roadshow of sustainable housing seminars around UK, Universities, Architect groups and general interest groups. If you would like to know more about what we can offer please see ‘Talks’.
15th May 2000 – Hybrid car visits HHPWe were paid a visit today as part of a news story about hybrid cars for a travel magazine, Conde Nast Traveller. The hybrid petrol-electric car was on route from London - Nottingham - Manchester - Leeds - Hull and back. The journalist in the car called on a number of eco-design centres, including Hockerton Housing Project. Photographs were taken of the hybrid car alongside our new electric car in front of the eco-friendly homes. These hybrid cars, of which three leading car manufacturers are now producing models, are being unveiled as the latest fuel-efficient concept cars. The cars use a hybrid diesel-electric drive, with a battery to capture and recycle friction energy from the braking system. . The result is a car that operates at about 80miles to the gallon. Looking further forward, the cars are also designed so the manufacturers can ‘drop in’ hydrogen fuel cells in future models, eliminating the dependence on diesel.
2nd May 2000 – New Grant Boost from Shell Better Britain CampaignSheel Better Britain has awarded a grant of £2,000 towards our project, ‘The Sustainable Community’ (see 13th March article for more details). The grant will go towards the cost of developing an information and support service for groups and individuals interested in setting up sustainable communities along the line of the Hockerton model. Hockerton is well known as the UK’s first earth sheltered self-sufficient ecological housing development and attracts a lot of interest from people looking to establish something similar. If you would like further information please contact us by email – hhp@hockerton.demon.co.uk. Shell Better Britain Campaign forms part of Shell UK’s Community Investment Programme. The campaign provides a package of information and grants designed to encourage more people to embrace the princi0ples of sustainability as they carry out local activities to improve their environment. With a growing network of 25,000 members, the Campaign continues to develop a wealth of practical experience. This is helping communities who are finding ways to improve local life that combine social, economic and environmental benefits. Campaign Director, Peter Woodward says, "We are now targeting our grants fund to support a wide variety of good ideas so that other local groups can share their experiences of building a better life through our Information Service. Hockerton Housing Project Trading Ltd. is exactly the kind of initiative we want to tell people about. We hope the lead taken by this group will be an inspiration to others." Any community group working to improve their local area can join the Campaigns Network which gives access to a wide range of information, advice and grant funds. Contact – Shell Better Britain Campaign, King Edward House, 135a New Street, Birmingham B2 4QJ or email enquiries@sbbc.co.uk.
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