Hilly location for green self build home

A family who built their own home into a hill are starting to reap the benefits of their seven-year self build project.

Phil and Charlotte Newby and their two daughters moved into their energy-efficient home on a plot in the grounds of Barnsdale Hall Hotel near Oakham, reports the Leicester & Mercury.

The property is built into a hill, with a grassy roof and solar panels that are used for the provision of energy, light and hot water.

Mr Newby, who has so far spent £170,000 on the self build project, is currently adding the finishing touches to a water system that collects and filters rainwater to make it safe to drink.

"At the end of the day, this house pretty much runs itself. I'm pleased and the only thing now is just putting the final touches to it," he added.

Earth-sheltered properties have numerous environmental and financial benefits, according to one self build expert.

Nick White, who has just sold the property he built in the Hockerton Housing Project in Nottinghamshire, has revealed that in ten years his family's space heating bill came to less than £10, while the indoors temperature constantly remained above 18 degrees.