Eco-bungalows could be on their way

"GROUND-BREAKING" eco-bungalows could soon be developed in Holbrook, The Evening Star can reveal today.

The bungalows, which would have grass roofs and timber panelling, would be built just off Ipswich Road in Holbrook and would be the first of their kind in the village.

The development is the brainchild of architects Knox Bhavan who have already won an award for their work in Suffolk.

Simon Knox, of Knox Bhavan, said: "They have a grass roof and are single storey, low impact housing which is very appropriate for the field siting.

"It is a design with a sustainable agenda.

"The client wants to melt the house into its surroundings.

"There is timber panelling on one side and glazed panelling onto the open space but it is green in more ways than one."

The two properties will also have south facing windows and will include passive solar collection aided by glazed panels.

Much of the development will be derived from local materials.

The grass roof will be irrigated using water from a nearby pond and it is hoped it will attract birds and butterflies.

Mr Knox added: "It will have a number of green features which we are proud of and our hope is that it will be seen as ground breaking as well as add to the architectural debate as to the appropriate architecture in Holbrook."

The scheme is Knox Bhavan's second in Babergh. The company also designed the Pavilion at Wissington which won a Royal Institute for British Architects (RIBA) Regional Award and was runner up for house of the year in 2003.

The latest development is to be built for the Joslin family who own the land and have had connections to Holbrook for the past 50 years.

They are soon to retire and wish to move back to the village.

A planning application has been lodged with Babergh council and is due to be considered at a planning meeting on December 15.