HHP has had a flurry of interest from various written and broadcast media over recent months including:

• BBC One O’clock News & BBC News 24 (23rd June 2005) – Live broadcast linked to Governments launch of a consultation on micro-generation
• Carlton TV (16^th Feb 2005) used HHP as part of a news item to coincide with initiation of the Kyoto Protocol
• Regeneration & Renewal magazine (27^th May 2005) – “Innovations – A self-sufficient eco-housing scheme”
• BBC2-‘No Waste Like Home’ (autumn 2005) – HHP was used as an example of good eco practice
• Energy & Environment magazine (DEFRA) (July/August edition) – Article about HHP
• Self Build & Design Magazine (Due out in next edition) – Article about HHP and new ‘Master Class’ events
• Artist Blacksmith magazine – Article about HHP’s new recycled sculpture
• The Independent (1^st June 2005) – Diary Of An Eco-Builder – ‘If you and your mates want to build a fully fledged eco-idyll, this is the way to do it‘ (Will Anderson). This article was written after Will visited HHP and another local eco-development. A short excerpt from the article: “Hockerton is a contemporary autonomous community… It didn’t cost much to build and it’s clearly a delight to live there. If you and your mates want to build a fully-fledged rural eco-idyll, start here.”

This spring we had a follow up survey of the water vole population on the HHP site overseen by a member of Brackenhurst college (part of Nottingham Trent University). There appears to be a rapid rise in the population of water voles in the main site ponds, which supports the evidence that the habitat is very suitable, with plentiful forage and low predation. The water vole population of each pond is probably at, or near the maximum capacity that can be sustained. Further evidence to support population rise is the presence of burrows and food remains at two new ponds within the site. However there were some unusual population changes in some of the newer ponds which have resulted in plans for a more detailed study over two breeding seasons. Brackenhurst staff feel there is much merit in carrying out the work and may further the understanding of water vole ecology.

HHP opened the doors of its new ‘Sustainable Resource Centre’ (SRC) for visitors at the beginning of 2005, after 18 months of construction and kitting out. The building was designed, work supervised and most of the labour contributed by project members themselves. The new building is in stark contrast to the infamous ‘shed’ used for visitors over the last 7 years for slide presentations, offering comparatively luxurious facilities including a dedicated audio-visual room, seminar facilities and permanent exhibitions.

The new facilities will allow HHP to demonstrate more effectively the key sustainability principles of the project. The ‘eco-community building’ is low profile situated near and complimenting the houses, including an earth covered roof. This building has been designed to meet the same high standards as the homes, ‘Zero CO2’, ‘Zero heated’, and ‘Autonomous’ standards’.

Iskra (a locally based manufacturer) has been very busy in Nottinghamshire this year installing their new wind turbine, including two in Rushcliffe Country Park and one at HHP. At HHP, the 26m tower was raised first, and the turbine was added a few weeks afterwards.

The HHP decided to install the wind turbine in order to meet the ‘Zero CO2’ requirements of the new community building and  planning permission was granted earlier this year for a 5kW rated turbine.

This December the 2nd wind turbine at HHP has begun generating green energy. It is estimated to produce 12,000kWhrs per annum.

HHP receives 1000 visitors a year, however, the numbers of visitors has been restricted due to lack of suitable facilities. Thus, HHP members have had a long ambition to provide better facilities to demonstrate its sustainable achievements. As the interest has grown in HHP (it is anticipated that HHP will double or treble visitors in the next few years), the need for a dedicated Sustainable Resource Centre on site seems ever more apparent. Construction plans for the building are beginning.

The SRC will be an inspirational centre and act as regional catalyst for sustainable action, offering improved facilities, including a dedicated audio-visual room and permanent exhibitions, and more extensive activities for a wide range of interest groups, particularly local schools.

HHP has received a significant boost to its plans to develop the Sustainable Resource Centre (SRC) through a National Lottery grant of £49,619 from the New Opportunities Fund, awarded by the Social, Economic and Environmental Development (SEED) Programme.