Eco-homes to fuel your imagination (From The Oxford Times)

Eco-homes to fuel your imagination

10:49am Thursday 1st December 2011 in Featured Properties By Gill Oliver

Rocketing energy bills mean eco-properties, designed to keep heating costs low are becoming more popular with househunters.

Fieldside is a newly-built house with several green aspects including above-average insulation.

Developers Brookes Cavendish chose a steel frame with cladding made from IPE wood, a particularly tough timber known as ‘iron wood’.

They also installed underfloor heating throughout and hot water is supplied by a ground-source heat pump.

The house, on the edge of Brightwell-cum-Sotwell, also includes a number of luxury touches such as a wine cellar, cinema room and solid oak floors.

The six-bedroom property has a drawing room, dining room/library and kitchen/breakfast/family room. Set in grounds of 1.5 acres on a gated estate, every room is wired for sound and there is a triple garage, courtyard and gardens.

Another modern, ecologically-advanced property is Muswell House in Piddington.

Designed by award-winning architect Adrian James, the four-bedroom house includes an open-plan ground-floor sitting/dining room and kitchen plus a study. The lower ground floor is set up as a guest annex with two bedrooms, shower and kitchen.

Other highlights include a double garage, views over surrounding countryside and a free-standing swimming pool.

Fieldside, in Brightwell-cum-Sotwell, is on the market at a guide of £2.495m and Muswell House in Piddington is priced at £975,000. For more information or to arrange a viewing of either property, contact Savills on 01491 843001 or visit savills.com