Common Sense Solutions has been running workshops on strawbale and cob (earth) construction, carpentry, roofing, lime mortars and renders and natural clay plasters. An exhibition, Affordable homes that don’t cost the Earth case-studied working examples of affordable homes around the UK and was shown at community centres in the area. In addition, a Strawbale Exhibition Centre built with the help of course participants will shortly be opened.    

The next stage of the work is moving towards building 12 autonomous affordable eco-homes. Traditional local materials and techniques will be used and training and apprenticeships will be an integral part of the project. Negotiation is under way with a landowner to transform an edge of village green-field site into an oasis of biodiversity, biomass, food and beauty centred around human living systems.

Self-interest is a powerful motivating energy and the project will be run and built by local people wanting to construct homes for themselves and others offering a positive replicable model of eco-sustainable living. Positive and innovative Models for Living are needed for the time when society realizes that it is in all our collective self-interests to live more lightly on our earth.

For more information about Common Sense Solutions contact Rupert Hawley at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone 07974 787709.