Thatch the way to do it (From Western Telegraph)

Thatch the way to do it

While the debate over the perceived rights and wrongs of the Brithdir Mawr Roundhouse rages on, reporter Jenny Hanson takes a look at two sustainable, low-impact homes that have been given the go-ahead by local planning authorities.

When it comes to building houses, sustainable development means using environmentally-friendly building materials, preferably locally sourced, and relying on green energy - solar panels, wind turbines and so on - to power the structure once it is built. In short, the goal is to have as little impact on the environment as possible.

I spoke to two people who have received permission to build low-impact, sustainable homes in Pembrokeshire - homes that embody the environmentally-friendly ambitions of their owners, as well as satisfying the planners.

With permission from the National Park Authority, Steve Wilson has built a clom - or mud - extension to his north Pembrokeshire cottage. Structures of unbaked earth were quite commonplace in the past, but Steve's extension is believed to be the first clom house built in Wales for 150 years.

The extension has stone footings and an over-hanging thatch roof.

The walls are a mix of straw and clay sub-soil, which is built up in layers and trimmed into shape. Steve built the walls and master thatcher Alan Jones made the roof.

"Soil is an effective insulator and it's a very effective building material," said Steve. "I went for a thatched roof because it's a great insulator as well. My extension complies will all building regulations, as well as being environmentally benign."

Steve has tried to maximise the use of local materials in creating the clom structure, sourcing environmentally sound materials from further afield only when he could not find what he was looking for in the county.

"My materials are natural and mostly local, so all the money I have spent has gone back into the local economy, not to large manufacturers and shareholders," he said.

Steve's extension will be heated by a high-efficiency wood burner. Because it is so well insulated, very little heat will be required.

"The building is completely recyclable," said Steve. "I could take it down tomorrow and rebuild it 20 yards away, and it would go up perfectly. The walls will last indefinitely, but the thatch will have to be replaced in about 30 years."

Sponsored by the National Park sustainable development fund, Steve - who is also working with affordable housing group To Gwyrdd - is compiling a report about the building of the clom house.

"I would like to see other people in this area benefiting from this information and these type of buildings," he said. "Local people need cheap housing, and clom houses are cheap to build."

Rachel Whitehead, with permission from Pembrokeshire County Council, is currently building a straw bale house in St Dogmaels. The two-storey load-bearing structure is the first of its kind in the UK.

The bales are stacked on stone footings and lime plaster will coat the outside walls. The roof is tiled with cedar shingles and insulated with sheep fleece. "I wanted a house that was sustainable and wouldn't have a large impact on the environment. Straw is close to nature and it breathes," said Rachel. "The only thing I compromised on was concrete foundations - I had to get going, and I didn't have time to research alternatives."

After speaking to a building regulations officer, Rachel began researching straw as a building material.

"I applied for planning permission and found an eco-architect to come up with some drawings," said Rachel. "A senior planning officer came up to see me and listened to what I wanted to do."

Two years later, Rachel got planning permission for the straw structure. She has carried out much of the building work herself, with the help of volunteers, and has been advised by Yorkshire-based straw house specialist Barbara Jones, of Amazon Nails.

"I have been running courses during the project, so people can learn how it's done," said Rachel.

She estimates that the total cost of building her home, which should be finished in August, will add up to just £40,000. The house will be powered by solar panels and, later, a wind generator. An energy efficient wood-burning stove will provide the small amount of heating that such a well-insulated building needs.

"I have had a lot of good feedback about the house," said Rachel. "I hope people will be inspired by it."