How to Build a House : The Environment and Sustainability

by Ben Tuxworth, February 2003

Contribution to the natural beauty of the area

Trees

The appearance of the site is dominated by the large number of trees, both broad leaf and coniferous, particularly around the boundaries but also throughout the site. Some of these trees are in poor condition, and heavily choked in ivy. Our objective is to maintain the natural character of the site and its contribution to the AONB, whilst opening the site to natural light, to encourage other species. We are clearing much of the ivy from the trees, and being advised on their management by an arboriculturalist. We will also plant trees to offset the carbon dioxide emissions from the new house.

‘Natural’ pool

Because of drainage patterns, topography and the presence of a spring, there is a natural location in the North East corner of the site for a new pond. We aim to establish such a feature, as a contribution to increasing biodiversity in the area (there are few areas of open water on Leckhampton Hill, and, in general, the number of ponds has been dramatically reduced throughout the English Countryside over the last century). The pool will be managed for wildlife, with areas for emergent vegetation and open water exposed to sunlight. A secondary function will be to act as storage for storm water from the house, contributing to the retention of water on site and reducing the burden on surface drainage.

Biodiversity generally

The Cotswold AONB in general, and Leckhampton Hill in particular are rich in wildlife. We have already seen deer, badgers, woodpeckers, owls and bats in from the existing house. We want to maximize the contribution that Southernwood makes to this biodiversity, and will establish a management plan for the site which emphasises the retention and encouragement of wildlife, with a focus on native species.

Building location

Care has been taken to locate the building at a point on the site where it fits with the topography and does not impinge on views from paths within the AONB, or views of the AONB from Cheltenham. It will be all but invisible from Daisybank Road and the Cotswold Way as it passes along the summit of Leckhampton Hill. It will probably be partly visible from the right of way which passes through the field to the North of the site, but no more so that the existing house.

Building materials

We will use materials that contribute to the rural character of the area - principally hardwood timber and natural slate - for the external finish of the building. Some of the timber will be sourced from trees which fell during the storms of last September on this site and in adjacent woods owned by neighbours.

Contributions to sustainable development

The house has been designed to maximise its contribution to sustainable development, a key aspect of Cheltenham Borough Council’s forward strategy, expressed in ‘Our Town Our Future’, the Economic Development Strategy, and certain to be an important principle of the new Local Plan/Local Development Framework. Sustainability is also a central plank of Cheltenham’s Local Strategic Partnership, and a framework agenda for Gloucestershire County Council and the South West Regional Development Agency.

Specific contributions the house will make include:

Climate Change

The house is designed to minimise its contribution to climate change and help achieve that strategy both in terms of its CO2 emissions, and as a demonstration project. A range of technologies including insulation, solar water heating, water minimisation, and high efficiency appliances will reduce CO2 emissions from the building to around 5 tonnes per year, roughly half those of a similar house built only to comply with building regulations.

Materials choice

Life cycle analysis information is being applied to materials choice for the construction of the building. Local sourcing, which maximises contribution to the local economy and minimises transport impacts, will be an important aspect of this analysis. At this stage, timber framing, warmcell insulation and natural claddings seem to perform best, particularly if these materials can be locally sourced. But other options are being evaluated and employed where they perform better and maintain the contribution to the natural beauty of the area

Local sourcing and contribution to Cheltenham’s economy

In line with both the Council’s Community Strategy and Economic Strategy, we are keen to maximise the contribution the building makes to Cheltenham’s economy. Heath Avery Architects were chosen partly for this reason: our fees to them recycle in the local economy, and the environmental impacts of their travel to site are reduced.

We have identified a number of local people to assist in design and construction of the building to emphasise this contribution, and to ensure that local knowledge is applied to achieve the best result. The structural engineer, topographical surveyors and geological surveyors are all local professionals, as are the arboriculturalist, tree surgeon, and landscape architect. We will try to maintain this approach for all other professionals we employ.

For the construction phase, we have already secured the advice of Richard Tibbles, who is a local builder, a member of the Association of Energy Conscious Builders, and a founder member of the Cheltenham Centre for Change, and the services of Steve Rush, who runs the Sustainable Building Company in Stroud.

Cheltenham’s housing targets

Cheltenham faces a significant challenge in meeting targets for new homes set by central government. We will be replacing a substandard bungalow with a viable family home, a net contribution to Cheltenham’s housing stock.

A demonstration project

There is at present no demonstration project within the Borough that we are aware of which demonstrates what these policies mean for an individual dwelling. This house is being designed as a demonstration project of this sort.

It aims to make the case that a family home can be beautiful, comfortable and warm without placing huge burdens on the climate, other people and future generations. We are keen to promote this vision jointly with other organisations locally, and have already placed articles in Green Futures magazine about the project. A wider promotional strategy is being developed. The strategy might include a diary of the build on the Council web site, open days at the house, and other media opportunities such as the Gloucestershire Echo. We are also exploring joint promotional opportunities with the ‘wood for good’ campaign.

Ben Tuxworth, February 2003