The Project was filmed and broadcast in the same week in March by BBC ‘Countryfile’. The programme covered the project set up and how the houses are designed to minimise energy use. However they also focused on two other aspects:
(1) The design principles of the homes at Hockerton Housing Project (HHP) as a potential solution to building more homes to a higher energy efficiency standard. A link was made to a local speculative development, Millenium Green, that HHP helped inspire to integrate much higher levels of energy efficiency. A spokesman from the Government’s Energy Efficiency Best Practice programme was also interviewed and invited to comment on the need for higher standards.
(HHP was monitored as part of the Governments’ Energy Efficient Best Practice Programme – A case study report was published last year)
(2) Link to the Government announcement in same week to increased funding of £100m towards renewable energy.
The programme has produced one of the quickest and biggest responses that HHP has received after a media broadcast.
BBC Newsround, the children’s news programme, recently filmed the project for a special ‘Newsround Extra’ on climate change & global warming. They spent the day filming the project on an extremely cold day with the lake frozen and ice on the trees. This contrasted well with the warm homes, (despite no dedicated heating system, but still at 18 degrees!!). Some of the children from the project (Luke, Rebecca, Jenny & Ricky) were interviewed about what the project meant to them in relation to environmental issues. The article for the programme is only a short piece of about 2 minutes, but hopefully will convey the essence of the project and help children relate to the big issue of climate change.
Hockerton Housing Project has won one of the categories (not for profit) of Eurosolar UK Awards (2000).
The Eurosolar UK Prizes are awarded each year (for the last 5 years) to those who have given outstanding service to the promotion of renewable energy including categories for local authorities, companies, individuals, engineers, architects, owners of renewable energy plants, authors and organisations. In the context of these awards, solar energy or renewable energy means energy derived from the sun, whether directly or indirectly, through weather systems (such as wind and hydropower) or crops. The aim is to promote renewable energy for widespread replication and public acceptance.
The judges looked for systems and projects that are inspiring and that can be reproduced. Winners will have demonstrated vision, persistence and ability to introduce and succeed with their project.
Judges comments on HHP:
“The integrated approach to living was very impressive and the low-impact ethos has considerable appeal. It is an important demonstration of the possible in a realistic context and is the strongest of a very strong field”.
“An extremely commendable project, which has had to persist and fight for its success. The whole system, which includes a reasonable amount of ‘lifestyle’ provides an example of future living standards”.
The award ceremony will be at Lord’s Cricket ground on 14th November as part of a ‘Sustainability in Public Services’ conference.
On 6th October we were visited by one of our local MEPs (Member of European Parliament) for East Midlands, Phillip Whitehead.
Philip Whitehead wrote back to Councillor Stan Crawford (leader, Newark & Sherwood District Council), who had organised the day, “The range of projects you are nurturing and the foresight and enthusiasm displayed by all those involved does you great credit.”
This visit is more important perhaps than it might seem at face value. In many ways we in the UK are lagging behind many other European countries in terms of sustainable development and use of renewable technologies. Let’s hope Newark & Sherwood allow the momentum to continue by supporting future sustainable development proposals
HHP has recently been the subject of a new Government publication (part of ‘Energy Efficiency Best Practice Programme’): –
New Practice Profile (119) -The Hockerton Housing Project – design lessons for developers and clients
In our opinion this is a useful report. It covers project features & house construction, energy consumption, monitoring the internal environment, and design lessons.
It concludes – “The houses at Hockerton are a successful experiment in low-energy design. They are attractive and pleasant to live in, although some occupants had some complaints. The design of the site enables a sustainable lifestyle with self-sufficiency in water and food while also providing a high level of amenity for the occupants. The houses were built at a comparable cost to conventional housing, although the self-build element of the work distorts comparisons. Many of the elements of the housing could be replicated in more mainstream developments….”
The complaints referred to were minor and in the context of the whole project insignificant.
This report is now one of three publications on the project.
