Category: Sustainable living

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.

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.

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.