New state-of-the-art homes are being designed with the environment in mind.

Second homes have become an established part of the Cotswold landscape and often excite strong opinion from both residents and local authorities. But love them or loathe them they make an important contribution to our local economy.

Concerns sometimes focus around the size of developments or design that is in contrast to the typical Cotswold heritage. However one local community of second homes has turned this perception on its head with a select collection of homes at Oaksey Park.

The traditional styling of these Cotswold stone homes means they would sit happily in any local village location. Yet their time-honoured exteriors belie a host of state-of-the-art eco-friendly features.

The 11 home phase one development in Oaksey village, just south of Cirencester, has been awarded a coveted 'Excellent' award in the EcoHomes Environment Assessment Award scheme. The Ecohomes scheme is designed to help tackle climate change, resource use and impact on wildlife, while balancing these issues against a need to provide safe and healthy homes and a high quality of life.

The scheme, embraced from the concept stage at Oaksey Park has resulted in a collection of properties that are genuinely in harmony with their environment.

The area that now encompasses the development and Oaksey Park Golf Course was once part of the ancient woodland known as Braydon Forest. This royal forest covered much of the area between Purton, near Swindon, and Malmesbury and was recorded in the Domesday book.

As building work began at Oaksey Park, native Crab Apple, Rowan and Whitebeam trees were planted alongside the existing mature trees in the area. A communal meadow was also created in village green fashion and planted with drifts of native wild flowers and over 40,000 early and late flowering bulbs.

The light and spacious houses are created from timber-framed structures clad in natural Cotswold stone with Bradstone conservation mix roofing slate.

Maintenance and running costs are kept to a minimum with high levels of insulation, energy efficient appliances and heating provided by an LPG gas supply.

Water throughout the property is filtered through a water purifier for domestic consumption, while outside a rainwater harvesting system allows irrigation of the grounds. Solar heating and sophisticated home waste recycling facilities complete the picture.

The houses at Oaksey Park have created interest among a wide variety of people both from the local area and from among the ex-pat community still seeking to keep a well-managed base in the UK. Golf and outdoor enthusiasts are also clearly attracted to the lifestyle that the location can offer.

On a more practical note canny investors are seeing Ecohomes such as Oaksey Park as a definite asset in their investment portfolios. With climate change almost certainly necessitating increased environmental legislation for homeowners, these particular properties are as 'future-proofed' as is currently possible for those adding a second home to their assets.

But for now, simply the peace and tranquillity of the area, a thriving local community and knowing that you are doing just a little bit to help protect the planet could be enough to sway the buyers.

Oaksey Park 01666 577666 www.oakseypark.co.uk Prices from £209,000