Yesterday I went to look at the Eco housing being built by Dunelm Homes on the old Cape site at Bowburn. It was extremely interesting and if I had the money, and wanted to live there, it would be really attractive to live in a home which will use so little energy and contribute so little to global warming.

Amongst the features are an Air Source Heat Pump which supplies hot water to the underfloor heating system, mechanical ventilation which reycles the air to extract and reuse the warmth while keeping the air fresh, photovoltaic solar units (made by Romag in Consett) on the roof which generate electricity to run the electrics in the home and also to generate income from the “feed-in” tariff.

It also has superb insulation and low energy lights and appliances.

Most of us will never live in a home as eco-friendly as these, but they set targets and aspirations that we can all strive towards. And when they build them with a view over the Derwent Valley ………..