Close to Druridge Bay on the Northumberland coast there is a unique opportunity to live in new 'homes that don't cost the earth'. Between 20 and 30 new homes are being built in a new way. There are houses for local people to rent, houses to buy and plots to buy and build your own home. All the houses being built on the site are part of a project to promote  sustainable ways of building and living.

The houses are sustainable because they are built using products that made from renewable resources and from recycled products, Living in them will not cost the earth. They are built from timber from sustainably managed forests. The houses include super levels of wall floor and roof insulation to dramatically reduce energy use and the costs of living in the houses. Rainwater will be captured, filtered and reused for flushing toilets, gardening  and clothes washing. The power of the sun is being harnessed to heat domestic hot water and to naturally warm the houses. The houses use the latest technology in gasfired central heating.

A new way of building, a new way of living
A wide variety of house designs are available on the self build site. With the chance to harness the suns energy through installing photo-voltaic panels fitting a wind turbines and recycling household 'grey' water to further reduce water bills.All materials used in the construction have been the subject of a life cycle analysis to ensure they meet set sustainability criteria for the project,  Where possible construction materials are made from recycled raw materials and are being bought from local manufacturers and suppliers. The site includes Community composting and community organic gardening opportunities.

The houses are being built by local people training in construction technology. Supervised by qualified and experienced builders they are bringing 21st century sustainable building technology and science to Northumberland. The team of people building the houses are available to assist self builders in constructing their houses.

Local services?

The village is well served with regular bus services to Morpeth, Amble and Blyth with connections through to Newcastle. The nearest station on the main east coast rail line is  Widdrington Station 5 minutes drive. The village has a health centre, community centre, vibrant primary school and all local shopping facilities. Castle Morpeth DC have a neighbourhood centre for council services.


The Self build site

The site will provide plots for eight homes.  Plot are 0,2 ha (third acre )each. Enquiries about plots should be made to Sustainable Buildings and Homes Ltd. Plots are available  on self build or 'assist build'. Plot owners will have a Sustainable design service for their houses as part of the purchase package.  The show home will be constructed during the spring of 2000. The remaining plots will be serviced and available from the summer of 2000. Serviced plots are available from £11,000.

Who is involved?

Sustainable Buildings and Homes Ltd are coordinating for Castle Morpeth Council a sustainable regeneration project in the Druridge bay area based on the village of Hadston. The other partners in the project are the regional Development Agency 'One NE', the Single Regeneration Partnership for the Northumberland Coalfield and  Northumberland Training Agency..