I know this is self promotion :) but I recently blogged about my reasons for wanting to do this here: http://www.errant.me.uk/blog/2010/07/why-i-want-an-eco-hou

I know this is self promotion :) but I recently blogged about my reasons for wanting to do this here: http://www.errant.me.uk/blog/2010/07/why-i-want-an-eco-house/ http://www.errant.me.uk/blog/2010/07/why-i-want-an-eco-house... The best budget option for a roof seems to be turf What I have in mind is something of a sunken/earthworks house - so yes, turf roof which I would try and double as a grass terrace etc. cob/straw looks like a useful material from my research too - coupled with the sunken aspect for insulation reasons. The biggest obstacle in the UK seems to be finding suitable land and getting planning permission etc. I don't really know any solution to that. Most of the "first generation" examples I have seen build first and sort planning later. But there are newer projects that have applied successfully - and that is the route I prefer. I think planners are becoming more open to self sustained housing, thankfully :) Thanks for the book recommendation! I will track it down from Amazon.