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Walsh starts work on Fenland eco house

Posted: 05/04/2007

Nick Seaton, Fenland District Council's building control manager, joined Tommy Walsh of Ground Force television programme fame as worked kicked off this week on the ambitious plan to build an affordable, eco-friendly, two-bedroom house for £60,000 in just 60 days.

Riding the baby dumper truck that he called a 'toy for the boys' around the compact site in Church Steet, March, Tommy was clearly enjoying himself. Nick Seaton was on hand to witness the ground-breaking project begin.

Tommy's latest programme - to be called Tommy's House - is now in full swing with his Wisbech building team and film crew hard at work on the innovative design created by Steve Willis.

The idea for the programme came from the former Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, which was keen to explore the potential for people to build their own eco-friendly affordable homes as part of the massive Thames Gateway development where about one million homes are proposed.

Tommy's company, Free Spirit, took up the challenge, creating a modular concept building suitable for the growing self-build market.

Tommy searched the length and breadth of Britain before settling on the ideal site in March. As well as building the house, Tommy and his film crew will be out and about all over Fenland, filming interesting characters and eco-friendly initiative, such as the wind turbines.

Nick Seaton said: "This is a compact site and it will be interesting to see it develop over the next two months. The size of the plot has meant Tommy has had to use miniature earth moving equipment, which he dwarfs when he operates it.

"There is a shortage of affordable homes in Fenland and this sort of initiative can only help relieve the problem. We are pleased that Fenland has been chosen for this project, because it will help spread the word about what a wonderful place Fenland is to live and work to a nationwide audience.

Cambridgeshire Times  
 

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