Treading lightly on the land

  • Zero carbon
  • Rainwater harvesting
  • Solar voltaics
  • Solar heating
  • Wood heating
  • Maximum use of natural materials from the Wood
  • Disabled access

For many years, the needs of the wood's users have been met by the existing buildings but it is clear that the expectations of our visitors, coupled with the importance of Hazel Hill as an education centre for sustainable living, means that we have had to upgrade our facilities.

To meet these needs, we have constructed a small Eco-lodge to provide suitable guest accommodation, near the existing buildings. Named The Forest Ark, it is completely zero-carbon: heating and hot water from solar panels and a wood-fired boiler, using logs from the Wood; electricity provided by photo-voltaic panels. The building is be fully off-grid, using rainwater harvesting from the roof to meet water needs. It will also be low-impact, with minimal use of concrete, and work done by local labour, and timber almost entirely from the wood. The accommodation is 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (one of each with full disabled access): in total around 90 square metres.

Already the solar panels are making electricity for the mains supply. Check the Programme page for more details.

The Forest Ark is sometimes available for private retreats for 1-4 people: please contact Simon Wyre for more details.

For more information, please download the following:-

Project proposalProposal (434 bytes) 29kB   Plan ViewProposal (434 bytes) 675kB