Green Light In Totnes
"There must be few better-known houses in Totnes and probably none greener"
Jim & Kate’s house is an admirably sustainable home. An oak and Douglas fir timber frame, lime rendered oat straw bale walls, sheep's wool insulation, solar panel and numerous other design features have produced an extremely impressive low energy house. It is a striking property which has won national recognition as Ecohome of the year from the Federation of Master Builders and which was built using natural and indigenous materials such as Douglas Fir, straw and wool, all of which were locally sourced so that it is a house made in the West Country.
The oat straw for the walls, which Jim chose while walking through a field, arrived by tractor and the wool insulation is also local, from sheep on Dartmoor. "I wanted to show that it's possible not only to make a warm, long-lasting family home out of renewable, local materials but also that homes like this aren't some kind of backwoodsman's hut, but beautiful, modern and comfortable," says Jim.
All this combined with woodburning, solar heating and a thermal store for heat, has resulted in many awards and £80 heating bills. The house has a wonderful ambience and a genuine feeling of peace and calm. “For the owners, it’s a house of space, rather than rooms” says Luscombe Maye’s Piers Whiting, “and this really does come across”.
Contemporary living is arranged in reverse with the upper level given over to generous, open plan living including sitting, kitchen and dining areas. Picture windows give a loft warehouse feel and French doors open onto an balcony with a stylish glazed balustrade and a spectacular view over the town and beyond. Also on this floor are a study, pantry and cloakroom.
Downstairs there is a principal bedroom with an ensuite shower room, three more bedrooms, bathroom and utility room.
The property also has a large garage and parking for several cars and an attractive landscaped garden with deck, lawn and wildlife pond. It stands near the edge of town and is five minutes’ walk from the High Street.
Luscombe Maye’s Totnes office is asking £595,000 and further details and pictures can be seen at www.luscombemaye.com or obtained from Luscombe Maye, Totnes (Tel 01803 869920; E: totnes@luscombemaye.com)