a place for change

The Site

How was wildlife looked after during restoration of the site?

During the construction process special care was taken to protect wildlife in and around the buildings including amphibians, bats and birds. In the barn fledgling swallows appeared completely at home, displaying new skills over the heads of our builders. Wildlife friendly features have been designed in many buildings and the bats have a new 'wardrobe' in the roof space of the dairy.

How were sustainable principles demonstrated?

The buildings were carefully restored using traditional construction practices and materials. Stonework has been painstakingly repaired with lime mortar, roof tiles and timbers have all been reused extensively and most of the original roof trusses have been carefully repaired and reassembled. Where it has been necessary to use new materials, these have been selected only after carefully considering the environmental credentials of the manufacturing process. Just two examples: we have used bio-paints (though these are expensive and difficult to apply), and the kitchens in the bothies are recycled old units

How were renewable-energy sources decided upon?

This followed a very careful study and appraisal of the options and alternatives with our consultants and a visit to the Centre for Alternative Technology to test out our conclusions. Initially the Centre will offer:

  • Bio-mass heating to all buildings from a wood-pellet boiler.
  • Hot water provided by solar panels.
  • Rain-water harvesting – collecting water from the buildings adjoining the farmhouse, which is then stored reusing the historic stone water tanks and pumped into the farmhouse
  • All foul water is connected to a reed/willow bed system.
  • The plant room itself is constructed from rammed earth blocks with lime render.
  • Further renewable-energy projects are being considered for the future and may include an innovative wind turbine (after detailed ecological surveys), ground-source heat pumps and a micro-bore water turbine. No doubt there will also be exciting new developments yet to come.