Middleton Sustainable Community

Builders planning an eco-friendly paradise

By Clive White

Developers are hoping to pave the way for a new type of "green" living.

Mark Sayer, managing director of Ilkley-based Myddelton Construction, is planning an eco-friendly hillside complex - believed to be the first sustainable community project of its kind in Yorkshire.

The scale of the development on the 58-acre former Middleton Hospital site in Carters Lane, Ilkley, has not been designed on the same level anywhere else in Britain.

So convinced of the eco-value of the scheme is Mr Sayer and his wife Janet, of Myddleton Lodge, that they are planning to live there as well. But first they must win over officers at Harrogate district council, the planning authority while Bradford Council planners will also get their say because of its nearness to Ilkley.

The ambition is to have a small-scale mix of homes, offices and even a micro-brewery producing real ale.

There would be 16 dwellings, some with offices and workshops, heated by solar panels and a bio-mass boiler using wood from the surrounding woodland, with a recycling centre for household waste.

There are also plans for ground source heat pumps to warm the buildings and for reed beds to eliminate the need for mains sewers.

It is also hoped the market garden on the site will be managed to produce fruit and vegetables.

Architect Matthew Sturgeon said: "Our design philosophy is to produce as much on-site renewable energy as possible and make it self-sufficient, if we can. It is not going to be easy, but we think this land needs something that is sustainable for the future and the mix of housing and business is the best thing."

Mr Sayer said: "If we get the go ahead it will be a landmark and other councils could use it to show others the sort of development they want."

Claire Walker, who is in charge of business development said: "Myddelton is moving into new market areas, investing considerable resources in research in sustainable building techniques and technologies."

The site is classed as previously developed land in the green belt, Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation.

Myddelton is an award-winning company specialising in Listed Building and sustainable construction.

Reproduced by permission of Claire Walker....N.D.

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