This £645,000 new-build justifies its sudden sprouting in a nature reserve by its self-sufficiency. It’s not connected to the national grid and will generate an income of around £6 a day in government subsidies from the electricity generated from its photovoltaic panels. Fresh water is supplied from a bore hole and the loos are flushed with rain and grey water via a UV filer. There are three bedrooms and two large basement rooms.
Fine & Country, 023 93 277277 Photograph: Fine & Country
The 'living roofs' on all of the homes in this new development will have helped absorb the recent rain storms and the water butts provided in every garden will be brimming. Each flat and house gets its own cycle rack and store to encourage green motion, and bird and bat boxes have been placed around the landscaped grounds to console wildlife for this huge sustainable brick intrusion. One-bedroom flats start at £139,995.
Bellway Homes, 020 8594 9709 Photograph: Bellway Homes
A private wind turbine provides the energy for this £395,000 farmhouse 21 miles from Glasgow, and you’re assured an annual income of £5,000 until 2030 thanks to a government feed-in tariff. In addition, you could probably stock your larder from the 14.41 acres that come with it. It’s a pity that the five-bedroom house is hard by a main road, but the planners are happy for you to convert a stone barn into another five-bedroom house to the north of the farmyard.
CKD Galbraith, 01292 292535 Photograph: CKD Galbraith
This remote £430,000 long house is warmed by a ground source heat pump, air source heat pump and solar panels. There’s scope for animal husbandry in the 3.54 acres of paddocks and gardens, as well as self-sufficiency in Vitamin C thanks to an orchard and kitchen garden. From the roof terrace, balcony and the five receptions and four bedrooms you can absorb vistas over countryside to the Clywdian hills.
Strutt & Parker, 01244 354880 Photograph: Strutt & Parker
This four-bedroom stone cottage has been refitted and extended using eco-friendly materials and is double glazed to an uncommonly high spec, and its price has just been reduced to €256,800. A single Canadian wood-burning stove connected to the ventilation system warms the whole house and hot water is supplied by a thermodynamic tank. There is a detached garage/workshop in the large, lushly landscaped grounds.
frenchestateagents.com, 08700 11 51 51 Photograph: frenchestateagents.com
