Hockerton Eco-Housing Project
Our October outing (organised by Ruth Robinson) was well attended by 21 members, and it gave us a fascinating insight into the shared community (5 families) of this almost unique project, which generates its’ own clean energy from 90 voltaic panels (one-third) and two wind turbines (two-thirds). At the same time energy consumption is much reduced by using velux conservatory windows, log burning stove, an electric car with a range of 50 miles for communal use, grass rooves, no tumble driers (!) and very thick insulation in the houses. This latter (theoretically) does away with the need for heating (except for the immersers, which run off the voltaic panels), the internal temperature reducing from 24.5 to 17.5 degrees over the winter.
Commitment of 300 hours per family per annum to growing organic food on their 26 acres, a flying flock of sheep and fish from the lake leads to a reasonable degree of self-sufficiency.
Rain water is harvested, each conservatory providing 18,000 litres per year, which is stored in tanks or a reservoir. Waste material is recycled without causing pollution or CO2 emission. A mini-sewerage farm treats waste water through a gravel and sand filter. The floating reed bed system in the lake cleans up the outflow from the septic tanks.
Is this the future lifestyle for us all, and our descendants?
Rosamund Macfarlane
