ECO-HOMES in the Bridport area will be open to visitors to show that green doesn’t have to mean uncomfortable or pokey.

The idea of the open days on September 12 are to demonstrate how homes can be more comfortable, cheaper to run and greener at the same time, say organisers from Transition Town Bridport.

One of those homes belongs to Pat Bowcock who runs a permaculture enterprise Ourganics in Litton Cheney from her ‘off-grid’ property.

This property which was a self-build project using recycled materials and boasts an outside cooking pit, solar and wind power and willow beds.

She said: “I am delighted to be taking part in the event because it shows how possible it is to live off-grid and low-impact and what fun it can be, which a lot of people miss.

“And I take a pride in sharing the information.

“I have never regretted my decision to live like this and never looked back.

“It is a privilege - hard at times but it is an honour to live lightly on the planet and be able to share with so many hundreds of people who come here.”

The homes will be open during the middle weekend of Heritage Week, on Saturday, September 14 and 15 and visits are free.

Many different kinds of home are taking part, from newly built, specially designed eco-homes, to historic properties that have been adapted to save energy and resources without harming their architectural features or the neighbourhood.

On show will be the different types of material used, including walls made of rammed chalk, straw bale building, and a timber-framed kit house.

There are many renewable energy installations, and a variety of approaches to insulation, as well as re-use and recycling of building materials.

The eco-homes opening forms part of Dorset Architectural Heritage Week, a week-long celebration of interesting buildings and architecture that takes place every year in September.

The eco-homes event itself is organised by community volunteers from Transition Town Bridport and the Greendor project, which developed from Transition Town Dorchester’s energy group. The event is sponsored by Big Lottery funding.

Sally Cooke, one of the organisers, said: “We really appreciate the householders who are giving their time to share their enthusiasm about greening their homes, and we’re excited about the variety that will be open again this year.

“It’s great that in one weekend you can see anything from an architect-designed green home to a family house with a simple DIY approach.”

Information about the eco-homes can be found on the TTB website transitiontownbridport. co.uk, the Dorset Architectural Heritage Week booklet, and an open Ecohomes brochure, available from tourist information centres, Bridport Arts Centre, the library and council offices.