Becky and Ian Sheveling's Holmfirth vineyard’s eco plans

Jan 2 2010 by Anne-Marie Senior, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

There are also plans to install two wind turbines to help the business achieve its target of being the UK’s first carbon neutral vineyard by 2012, in a addition to two septic tanks.

Becky – who is expecting the couple’s first child in January, said: “We need it to be a sustainable business in case we have a bad harvest.

“People want to learn about wine which is why we are running courses and at harvest time, we will need the staff to stay. It would be nice if we could put them up here.

“We were looking at log cabins but that didn't feel right on the landscape.

“The eco lodge will have a grass roof so you won't see it. There will just be a little bit of glass at the front. We want to make it five star because there is no five-star accommodation in the Holme Valley at the moment.

“The extension to the winery is for the wine tasting. We have been holding wine tasting in our own kitchen, but we want to appear a little bit more professional than that.

“We have had a lot of really good support locally. We just hope we get the permission we need.”

The buildings have been designed to minimise the visual impact on the greenbelt landscape.

The public have until January 7, 2010 to comment on the proposals.