'Eco house' could replace 19th century workers cottages in Swindon

Two 19th century workers cottages surrounded by woodland in Swindon could be knocked down and an ultra-up-to-date eco house built in their place.

South Marston Passiv Haus
Author: Aled ThomasPublished 4th Feb 2023

The Jones family owns Priors Farley Farmhouse which is accessed by a track off Rowborough Lane. The house is the two cottages knocked together. And Mr and Mrs Jones say parts of the structure are not in good shape:

“The building has been assessed by a structural engineer and parts have been deemed unsafe and fenced-off.”

The application says the roof needs replacing, the sunroom extension is badly made and needs replacing and there is no insulation.

In the building’s place the couple want to build a PassivHaus – a type of eco home which needs very little heating or cooling.

The plans show a large two-story house with a varied pitch of roof, and windows placed to maximise heating, but with an overhand over the lower floor to help cool the house on hot days.

On top of the attached garage, a lawn would be laid.