Cllrs back 'green' house in the woods

Published on 31st May 2007 in News

East Riding councillors made an environmentally-friendly decision last week when they voted to approve a planning application relating to the country's only mobile straw-bale cabin.

Meeting last Thursday (May 24), members of East Riding of Yorkshire Council's (ERYC) planning committee were advised by planning officers to refuse an application to use land at Village Farm in Brind Lane, north Howden for the siting of the straw bale cabin, to be used for holiday and research purposes.

The eco-friendly cabin was the brainchild of Carol and Richard Atkinson, and was built from 90 full bales, as well as 33 half-bales, and uses renewable energy sources.

Planning officers recommended that the application, submitted by Richard Atkinson, should be refused on the grounds that the cabin, which is to be used as a holiday home, is not within easy reach of tourist attractions and would inevitably require the use of a private car.

There were also concerns that the building encroaches into the open countryside, and the design is out of character with the surrounding area, which is largely made up of traditional brick and tile cottages.

But members of the planning committee took into consideration the willingness of the applicant to work with the authority, and voted in favour of the application, agreeing to approve the application on the conditions that it is used for a temporary period of five years and is used purely for holiday and research purposes.

"Thank goodness for local councillors," said Carol Atkinson, who created the eco-friendly cabin along with her husband Richard.

"It is only a five-year temporary permission, but gives us enough time to collect lots of research data and attract some visitors.

"Building the cabin was easy but letting people know about it has been difficult. Hopefully, we can now spread the word about the cabin."