In 2 days time my husband, Rob, and I are moving to an eco community in Nottinghamshire. It’s going to be a bit different from our current life in the centre of Camden Town, and people are wondering how we’re going to cope – so are we! – hence the blog.
So first some Frequently Asked Questions….
Why is your new home so special?
The houses are earth covered and have passive solar heating without a space heating system. Wind turbines and photovoltaics provide all of the energy required to run the homes and a community building. The water and sewage system is self-contained. Since completion in 1998 Hockerton Housing Project has established itself as an exemplar of sustainable development locally and nationally, providing a unique ‘real-life’ experience of living sustainably.
How did you find it?
Two years ago we went to visit the community as we were both interested in ways to cut our carbon emissions. We found amazing homes in a beautiful setting, but never thought we’d move there. Then last June one of the houses came on the market just as I was facing redundancy and Rob was considering life past his MSc – fate called us to put in an offer and go with the flow…it was accepted…we managed to get money out of Iceland just in time to exchange back in October, and now the (very long) wait is nearly over…
How much?
Mind your own business! – other than to say it was comparable to other 3/4 bed homes in the area – without taking into account the chickens, the lake, the sheep, the home office, the ducks, the orchard and the almost free energy and food. Not a bad deal – although the original build only cost about £65k a house.
