Green subterranean homes are 'the new black'

Partially underground homes are reportedly in fashion with self builders in the UK.

Subterranean homes are discreet, energy-efficient and are full of reflected natural sunlight, the Independent reports.

Tim Bawtree and his wife Zoe live in an ecohome that is 70 per cent underneath street level - one of 30 believed to have been built, or dug, in the UK.

Mr Bawtree told the newspaper that the local planners would not allow him to build upwards, so he went down.

"We removed 1,000 tonnes of sand, used heavy duty steel piles and dug down to a total of four metres," he explained.

Underground homes are said to be more energy efficient and - with the help of a little insulation - will provide homeowners with an average temperature of 17 degrees C in winter and 25 degrees C in the summer months.

In 2003, a home in Cumbria was built into a hole left at an old, disused quarry site and such innovative uses of space and ecologically friendly ideas could provide inspiration for anyone who is embarking on a self build project.