At 10.30am on Thursday 22nd November, conservationist David Bellamy will be officially opening the UK's oldest refurbished eco home. Managed by Bournville Village Trust Housing Association in South Birmingham, it was originally built in 1929 and will be the first home of its age to receive the Government's Eco Homes accreditation.

264 Selly Oak Road, Bournville, Birmingham, B30 1HL has nearly fifty environmentally friendly features and will demonstrate what can be achieved in an older home. See Fact Sheet below.

PRESS: On Wednesday 21st November from 11am you are invited to tour the house and interview suppliers, contractors and local school children who have all contributed to the UK's oldest environmentally friendly refurbished home.

The house will be open for public viewing from 23rd November until 14th December (2.00 - 7.00pm except Sundays). Shortly afterwards the new tenants, Ann and Jared Smith move in with their two children.

The Government's Housing Green Paper calls for the delivery of sustainable and affordable housing for people now and in the future. Existing housing stock needs to be well managed, well maintained and energy efficient. Bournville Village Trust was established by George Cadbury of chocolate fame. His ethos was to build sustainable communities which the organisation is continuing to do.

Fact Sheet

264 Selly Oak Road

The eco demonstration house has over fifty environmentally friendly features, which include:

Interior Floor wall cavity and loft insulation Chamois Eco kitchen units made from 100% recycled timber Water saving bathroom suite designed to conserve water Triton Eco shower to help lower water consumption Water based paints with low carbon dioxide emissions 100% wool floor finishes used throughout the first floor

Exterior Reclaimed bricks Solar panels which will heat the water Galvanised steel rainwater pipes and gutters comprising 20% recycled scrap metal which is maintenance free Sedum roof which will manage storm water Envirowall insulated render for insulation Double glazed timber windows for better energy efficiency and wood is sourced from sustainable managed European forests

Garden Organic garden with vegetable plot, fruit trees and a green house. The introduction of native/wildlife attracting trees, the provision of bird boxes and a bird table together with a log pile which will attract insects such as ladybirds, lace wings and butterflies. Composting bin and water butt. Porus paving Recycled plastic fence panels

Services Ground source heat pump which absorbs heat from the ground and transfers for use in the house for underfloor heating and radiators Open fire burning smokeless coal or wood to produce twice as much heat using half the amount of fuel Compact fluorescent light fittings with light emitting diodes which are more powerful Sun pipes to reduce the need for artificial lighting Energy free ventilation system

- Ends -

For further information please contact:

Sue Cooke Tel. 0121 240 3434 or 07768 178065 Email: info@suecooke.co.uk