Eco structures in Norfolk will be opening their doors next month in the Campaign to Protect Rural England's (CRRE) Green Buildings in Norfolk Open Days event. Bookings are now available for guided, informative tours of a variety of eco-buildings, most of which are not normally open to the public. The event will feature 12 projects that collectively incorporate a wide range of technologies and energy-saving measures, and will take place from Thursday, September 23 until Sunday, September 26. Among the properties featured this year are a shed made from rammed-earth at Potter Heigham, a Bavarian-made kit house, in Fakenham, a converted pub at Corpusty and a house built into a North Norfolk hillside. There are also two community projects: a straw bale village hall in Neatishead and a community initiative in Reepham, which aims to reduce the whole town's carbon footprint, and encompasses new technologies, retro-fits and car clubs.

“Norfolk is home to some of the UK's most innovative architects, self-builders and home energy enthusiasts,” said CPRE Norfolk's director James Frost. “This event allows them to show off their buildings, while allowing us the pleasure of visiting them. If you are seeking solutions for your own home then look no further; these are the people who've done the research, invested their time, energy and money, and are now reaping the benefits.

“It is also pleasing to see whole communities getting involved in energy saving and Norfolk is really leading the way in this area. The examples of the new straw-bale village hall at Neatishead and the Government-funded low carbon community challenge in Reepham will no doubt be an inspiration to many other Norfolk towns and villages for the future.

“As well as the ongoing local interest in green buildings, I am proud to say that our open days is still one of the only such eco-events in the UK, and brings people from far and wide to visit our green Norfolk, all of them look-ing for inspiration and knowledge.”

Peter Chisnall, advice centre manager for the Energy Saving Trust Advice Centre East of England said: “The Energy Saving Trust is delighted to support the Green Buildings Open Days again, as it gives homeowners the perfect opportunity to tour energy efficient buildings and see how they, too, can make their homes energy efficient.”

The event is supported by the Energy Saving Trust, Awards for All, the Lesley Mary Carter Charitable Trust, RG Carter Construction and the John Jarrold Trust.

Booking is essential for all the tours, and this year bookings can be made online. For a brochure and online bookings, visit www.cprenorfolk.org.uk/opendays. Alternatively call the Energy Saving Trust Advice Centre on 01376 531 547.

One example of the kind of project on display is New Victory Hall, Neatishead. Village halls can often be cramped, dark and draughty buildings, and Neatishead's, dating back to the Victorian era, was no exception. People in the village, near Stalham, began fund-raising a decade ago to replace theirs with something more up-to-date and in keeping with the requirements of a modern community.

Despite twice being turned down for lottery funding, they finally succeeded, scooping a £177,000 grant that helped their dream become a reality. With a further £127,000 from the sale of the old hall, £120,000 from the Broads Authority plus some other grants, along with the gift of land from farmer Bill Dorsey, the villagers set about building one of the most eco-friendly halls in the UK.

The hall is timber-framed and insulated by straw bales, which can be seen from inside through small “truth windows” designed to prove its green credentials. The design makes maximum use of sunlight to reduce lighting requirements, and a ground source heat pump aims to keep fuel costs down. The hall also features a sedum roof for extra insulation, storm water control, to blend in with the surrounding countryside and to encourage wildlife, including bees.

Ian McFadyen, chairman of the village hall trustees, said: “The old village hall was completely outdated. It was small, dark, damp and cold; there was no disabled access and it didn't meet health and safety regulations.“The local community started fund-raising and then opted for eco-build because we needed something different to help us secure funding from the lottery.”

When the hall was built, 170 volunteers helped move the bales of locally-grown straw to the site. Because it is sealed inside the walls, it does not get damp and rot, and will therefore last indefinitely. The hall is fantastically warm and dry inside. It's light and spacious and people really enjoy coming into the building - it just has a nice feeling about it,” said Mr McFadyen.

The hall is now in use virtually every day by a wide range of groups, including computer classes, a brass band and a youth club. It has also been used for meetings by North Norfolk District Council and the Broads Authority, bringing in welcome rental income.

“We're delighted with it,” said Mr McFadyen. “We're getting a lot of use out of it and visitor numbers have dou-bled from the days of the old village hall. We like to try and help others, and given that we've had public money, I think it's only fair we put something back and we routinely show people round and give talks about the hall. It's a good effort. We did it. It works.”