Photovoltaic solar panels and a green sedum roof are to feature at a multi-use centre to be run by a social enterprise.The Cleobury Country Centre will house a community library as well as facilities for businesses such as a training room and space for conferences, reports the Ludlow Advertiser.Funded in...

Renovated farm buildings heated with a ground source heat pump have received a conservation award from the South Norfolk Council.Pump Hall, now a three bedroom single storey bedroom, had been dilapidated farm outhouses until Hugh and Vic Redington brought it back into practical life.With the help of designer Heather Longman...

An earth-sheltered home which in 12 years cost its owners just £10 in space heating has been sold amid high levels of interest, despite the housing market slowdown.The home in the Hockerton Housing Project, near Nottingham, is one of five single-storey homes buried six-metres deep in a hill, from where...

A housing scheme in Surrey has become the first to attain a level five certification under the Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH).Raven Housing Trust's Mid Street development received the certification from the Building Research Establishment (BRE).Built by construction and civil engineering company Osborne for Raven, the two two-bed flats feature...

Affordable homes that feature water conservation measures and meet level three of the Code for Sustainable Homes have been built in Uffington.The organisation's first affordable housing scheme to be built to the demanding standards has been unveiled by the Oxfordshire Rural Housing Partnership (ORHP).Working with the Vale Housing Association, ORHP...

A timber-frame building that is insulated with straw has won a sustainability award in Wales.Environment minister Jane Davidson awarded the Consortium of Local Authorities in Wales (CLAW) Sustainability Award for the Eco-building in Cwbran woend by the Torfaen council.The highly insulated structure imagined by White Design is not only a...

A council home which was insulated and draught proof to high standards has won a prize for the best upgraded home of the year and may be interesting to visit for domestic energy assessors.Inside Housing's Lowe Energy Upgraded Social Housing Project of the Year was awarded to Camden Council's EcoHome,...

Bananas have grown against expectations in the UK in an energy efficient home built by eco-housing expert Mike Hillard.The plants of a Japanese strain of banana have borne fruit in the green building pioneer's solar room at a house called Tranquillity.According to Mr Hillard it is the most energy efficient...

Renewable energy features are attractive features of a home and are being used in the marketing material for a new development.Two new developments in Ashford are flaunting their energy generating devices as a means of enticing new residents.The West Lodge has photovoltaicmicrogeneration systems which will cut the electricity bills for...