A farmer’s state-of-the-art eco home has been given a ministerial official opening.
The new home of farmer Arthur Davies and his family at Maes Yr Onn, in Manmoel, is self sustainable and completely ‘off the grid’.
Minister for Natural Resources and Food Alun Davies joined Mr Davies, the Mayor of Caerphilly County Borough and guests last week at an official event marking the building’s completion.
Mr Davies thanked everyone involved in the project and said: “I am so grateful to the whole project team who have taken our dream of living at the farm and transformed it into reality.
“I would also like to thank all of our family and friends who have kept us going over the past 15 months of living in a caravan.
“We have had an eventful year and I know Sue and Bronwen are just as thrilled as I am that we can now settle into living life in our new dream home, taking on the opportunities and challenges that living off-the-grid will no doubt present.”
The new farmhouse is located on a ‘off-the-grid’ site and is self-sufficient in its energy use.
The house features photovoltaic panels, rainwater harvesting, a biomass boiler and thermal stores and innovative skirting board heating.
Speaking at the farm the Minister said: “I am delighted to be here today to celebrate the launch of such an exciting and innovative project.
“At a time when household incomes are being squeezed and the cost of energy continues to rise, it is good to see an increase in the uptake of renewable technologies here in Wales.
“I congratulate the Davies family, Caerphilly County Borough Council and all the other partners involved in building such an exemplary sustainable building that shows exactly what can be achieved through working in partnership.”
Cllr Ken James, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning and Sustainable Development, said: “It was back in 2011 that the family gained outline planning permission to build this fantastic farmhouse.
“After facing the many challenges of building in a location with no access to mains electricity, gas, water or sewerage services I am thrilled that the family are now settled into their fabulous new home.”
Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Rural Development Programme’s Sustainable Development Team helped Mr Davies achieve his dream by developing partnerships with various organisations.