Building today for a greener future...

We look at the success of some of the National Trust's green building projects...

• The Footprint
• Stamford Brook
• Gibson Mill

The Footprint

© National Trust

The Footprint is an innovative new development which began in 2006 at St Catherine's Woods, near Windermere in the Lake District National Park. The development is the first straw bale building in Cumbria, and also the first to be built by the National Trust.

Using a generous legacy to the property for educational work, a small but beautiful building has been produced for use by school visitors, whose educational visits have been underpinned by an aim to inspire and promote environmental sustainability.

© National Trust

The building blends in well with its surroundings but has a low environmental impact. The design makes full use of the natural light and space and many renewable and recyclable materials were used, having been locally sourced.

The building process using straw walls offered opportunities for practical involvement. Volunteers helped with the construction of the straw walls and training courses were offered in car tyre foundation building, straw and cob wall building, lime and clay plastering and finishing. Approximately 380 standard straw bales were needed for the project, sourced from a farm in Yorkshire.

• Read more about the Footprint Project

Stamford Brook

© National Trust

Working with the developers Redrow Homes and Taylor Woodrow Developments, the aim of Stamford Brook was to create a sustainable and imaginative development of new homes in a landscape which integrated with the surrounding environment.

• The buildings are ultra-efficient in their use of energy, water and building materials.
• There are recycling opportunities
• The homes have been carefully constructed to optimise solar gain
• They are designed to reflect the quality and character of traditional homes in the local area.
• An attractive urban fringe environment has been created using a variety of natural habitats for the benefit of residents and the wildlife community.
• Largest major river restoration project in the country - preventing flooding and increasing ecological value.

Why was the housing built?

© National Trust

In the next few years the income generated from the Dunham Massey Estate would have been significantly short of the total needed to meet liabilities. These liabilites included repairing houses, cottages and farm buildings; maintaining and improving footpaths, hedgerows and farmland and caring for the park, garden and mansion house.

In order to secure the future of Dunham Massey, the Trust took the decision to sell the land at Brookside Farm in accordance with Lord Stamford's wishes. The house was left to the Trust in 1976 by the 10th Earl of Stamford, who identified some areas of land which could be sold to raise funds for the future upkeep of the Dunham Massey Estate.

This not only secured the future of the estate for generations to come but provided housing in an area where it was much needed.

• Read more about Stamford Brook

Gibson Mill

© National Trust

This 19th-century cotton mill has been brought back into use as a facility for visitors and for the local community. This ground-breaking project has renovated the mill as a model of sustainability, using renewable sources. Gibson Mill has no mains electricity, and isn't connected to mains water or sewers. The £1.6 million project was funded jointly by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Yorkshire Foward and other sources.

© National Trust

Energy is generated by:

• Water powered turbines
• Photo-voltaic panels
• Solar hot water panels
• Biomass from the woodland

Other 'green' measures at the Mill as part of the sustainability strategy include:

• Energy efficient measures, including natural insulation materials and use of low energy appliances
• The use of a local water source
• Water efficiency measures
• Local materials for building and construction
• Green transport
• Sewage and waste water treatment
• Composting toilets

• Read more about Gibson Mill