This new house will be zero carbon, truly ground breaking and one which enhances its landscape setting and makes a positive contribution to the local community. The proposal is not just for a zero carbon dwelling but also for a lifestyle which is entirely dependent upon its agricultural setting. The house will be designed to level 6 of the Code for Sustainable Homes Planning history After receiving a positive report from SHAPE, the regional design review body, this new eco-house was submitted for planning consent as a PPS7 exception. The application was refused and went to appeal where in September 2012 it was approved under NPPF clause 55 Planning Inspector’s report The new house and outbuilding are to be constructed using natural, locally sourced materials (local straw bale, timber frame and locally produced hemp). The significant point about this development is the opportunities it would provide for an integrated approach to sustainable, low energy, environmentally-friendly style of living and working. The house and outbuilding are designed as part of a wider sustainable and mutually dependent system involving home, landscape and farming methods using best environmental practices. Part of the land is to be planted with woodland and coppiced to serve future heating requirements. The landscape design proposes new hedges to re-introduce the small field patterns lost to prairie farming on land to the north of the appeal site. The combined circumstances of implementing buildings of highly developed, progressive “green” credentials and a principle of landscaping design that would connect construction and liveability of the house to the land contribute to a design that is potentially outstanding. The proposed house would represent uncompromising contemporary architecture with exemplar energy performance and zero carbon credentials. The design embraces the site’s physical advantages (contours, orientation and views) while also introducing a dynamic composition of rectangular and semi-circular shapes and volumes partly floating and part buried beneath the ground on which it sits. The timber clad west facing façade in particular would be a striking addition to the open landscape, with the interplay of the zinc boxed window and shuttered openings adding to its sculptural qualities. The outbuilding would have a modern appearance with simple, clean shapes and lines. The cut-out in the roof introduced for views to the north is just one of a number of features in the design of the two buildings reflecting how the landscape and wider views have shaped the final outcome. The layout of the interior similarly relates well to what the site has to offer. This is truly architecture of high quality. It cannot be faulted for the way it responds to the site’s key features and for aiming to create a noteworthy addition to the landscape. The new house represents a departure from the local vernacular in its appearance. But for that it would be all the more interesting and a striking presence in the landscape. Natural materials used externally would blend in well with the grassed meadows and woodlands proposed alongside the house. This concept is designed to showcase excellence in sustainable construction and living, high quality architecture and a well considered landscaping scheme.