FANCY a school trip to a hobbit house with a grass roof? That is exactly what students in Penistone might be doing when two new eco-houses are built.
Two neighbours in Holmfirth have agreed to allow pupils into their ‘earth shelters’, that have roofs made from soil and grass, to find out more about reducing the effects of climate change.
Building of the first house, which will take three years to complete, is getting underway and another could soon be given the go ahead from planners.
Gerald Parker of Upper Maythorne Lane has just started building his three-bedroom house in a disused quarry and neighbours Sue and David Barker hope their plans will be approved at a planning meeting next week.
Mr Parker said he hopes to use solar power and geothermal heat to warm the house being built for his 18-year-old daughter Victoria.
