REVIEW: Sustainable Housing Schemes in the UK, Ed Nick White, Hockerton Housing Project, 2002.
Good old Hockerton...having created one of the most influential eco-housing projects in Britain, in the teeth of much obstruction from the planning authorities, they do not rest on their laurels. They spread the word, and communicate the results of their experiences. And they are particularly good at comparative surveys of who is doing what. This book gives detailed case studies of 31 sustainable housing schemes, and thumbnails of 50 others. Everything is systematically laid out, and this allows some very useful comparisons. The diversity is very striking and the examples are well chosen to sample radically different models. A great deal seems to be happening in Nottinghamshire!
The book will be of interest to anyone interested in practical sustainability, but particularly those contemplating similar projects, looking for collaborators, or wanting to join an existing scheme. It should be essential reading for planners and councilors considering their own local policies, or whether to grant planning permission for applicant schemes. The more varieties we have of sustainable housing developments, the easier it will be to find useful models to fit particular circumstances, and the more confidence we will have to speed the process along. This book does us all a great service on the way.
Peter Harper
(Reviewed for Clean Slate, the magazine of the Alternative Technology Association based at Centre for Alternative Technology)