Hockerton Housing Project (HHP) is the UK's first earth sheltered ecological housing development. It emerged from the desire of a small group of people to develop a lifestyle more in touch with the natural environment and its cycles. They wanted to build homes that would use the power of the sun directly as the main source of energy to heat our homes. During the 1990s HHP developed plans together with local 'green' architects Brenda and Robert Vale to build five earth sheltered houses on a 25 acre site in the North Nottinghamshire countryside. After several years of negotiating with the local council, providing detailed plans for managing the land surrounding the houses they were successful in gaining planning permission. The self build project allowed members to contribute to the building of their own homes according to skills and availability. Virtual tourFollowing two years of building work they moved in during 1998 and began to enjoy the fruits of our labour. |