Eco-friendly homes win backing

If the Peak District National Park Authority approves the plans, then six houses and two bungalows would be built at Conksbury Lane on the edge of the village.

It is hoped that the homes could house local people who are priced out of the housing market and currently unable to find anywhere to live in their own community.

The plans are being backed by the Friends of the Peak District, Youlgreave Parish Council, the Peak District Rural Housing Association and Derbyshire Dales District Council, which says there is a housing shortage in the village.

John King, planning officer at Friends of the Peak District, said: "This is a great little scheme. We love the passive solar heating – it's a brilliant green design feature, but also think the houses would fit in the National Park well.

"They would be built of natural stone and incorporate traditional features such as stone lintels and sills, so they'd suit this Peak District limestone village.

"But, equally importantly, the houses will meet a vital demand for more affordable homes for people living in and around Youlgreave. According to a survey done by Derbyshire Dales District Council, there's a need for nine new dwellings in the village, so they are crucially important for local people."

Derek Trowell Architects has drawn up the blueprints for the development, which would see the eight houses built with "brilliant green design features."

The north, east and west walls of each home would have small windows and be highly insulated to reduce loss of heat. The southern facing walls would have large double glazed windows to harness heat from the sun.

Deciduous trees would be planted in front of the houses to provide shade in the summer, but allow in daylight during the rest of the year.

A spokesman for Friends of the Peak District said that the group is satisfied that the proposed site in Conksbury Lane was the best place for the development. Other possible sites were deemed unsuitable in planning terms, or else the landowners would not sell.

"There was a thorough search of the village. Although this is a greenfield site, it's right between existing houses and bungalows, and won't significantly spoil landscape views," Mr King added.

The Peak District Rural Housing Association, which provides affordable homes for rent and shared ownership in the National Park so people can find housing close to their own communities, is also supporting the scheme.

Alison Clamp from the association said: "The housing needs survey showed a significant need for housing. The conclusion of the report is that the need in the parish is for nine units of housing and the proposed scheme would provide eight units.

"The need demonstrated was for three and two-bed houses and for two-bedroomed bungalows or flats. The scheme will provide four three-bedroomed houses, two two-bedroomed houses and two two-bedroomed bungalows.

"This mix of units gives a flexible housing scheme for a variety of household sizes. While the bungalows would be suitable for older people or those with mobility problems, they would not be reserved for this group and so could also accommodate small families."

Ms King added: "This application represents a good opportunity to provide much-needed accommodation for local people."

The Peak District National Park Authority is expected to make a decision on the application at a planning committee meeting this summer.