Following a joint drive by UK local authorities,to encourage low-cost housing, the residents of Dona Street, Stockport have designed and built their own environmentally friendly solution. Stockport Council is the first to express an interest in expanding the scheme right across the North West.
However, it has come to light that this innovative method of reducing council house waiting lists has been initiated without reference to existing planning laws and processes. The Igloo in question also offends Building Regulations because of the obvious lack of basic facilities for cleaning, cooking and other domestic activities. It is highly unlikely that the structure has observed requirements for footings and damp-proofing.
There is also no provision for collecting and measuring surface water distribution and no provision for avoiding construction over mainline or subsidiary sewers and utilities. The construction industry has expressed enthusiasm for the scheme describing the possibility of Igloo Villages on contaminated land as 'a welcome shot in the arm for the industry'. WIMPY is drawing up plans for Semi-detached Igloo structures with thinner walls and room sizes.
IKEA have expressed interest in producing an off-the-shelf flat pack Igloo kit as part of their self styled 'No-but-snow' product range. DFS is also producing a new Igloo furniture range which will feature as part of their ongoing Sale promotions. SKY has complained to the scheme because of the obvious lack of a place to attach a Satellite dish.
UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown has described the opportunity as 'an existing means to end housing shortages for public sector workers'.
