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It’s not easy being green
LONDON'S first solar-powered development is still an unfinished labour of love for its owner.
Peter Cuming and his partner Celine La Freniere moved into the eco-friendly home on the site of an old lift factory and bomb shelter in Talacre Gardens, Kentish Town in 1999.
And while the ground floor studio flat is an oasis in the middle of an urban jungle, there's another three still to complete.
Former architect and planning inspector Mr Cuming said: "We had a big battle for planning permission.
"When I started working on it in 1997, I thought it would take about six years but it will be more like 10.
"We have tried to use local manufacturers and the cost of doing things the green way is about 10 per cent more.
"But my heating bill for last year was just £130."
In fact, Solar House makes too much electricity and 50 per cent is sold on to the National Grid.
The house is a mix of old and new. Much of the material in the house is recycled - the teak kitchen counters were once the floor of the Crystal Palace Sports Centre and the doors used to keep prisoners locked up at Pentonville.
Mr Cuming admits to being a bit of a hoarder - his long-suffering partner desperately wants to get rid of a giant coat of arms mould which has pride of place near the front door. But he claims he cannot change his ways.
He said: "It's in the genes. My ancestor Hugh Cuming has been called the greatest collector of the 19th century and there's also a family museum in South London."
Ms La Freniere is looking forward to the day when her partner's little baby is complete.
She joked: "There's still a long way to go and Peter likes to do everything himself. He was considerably younger when he started. He's just turned 65 and he's a bit old to be a pioneer."
Solar House boosts a roof garden but unfortunately its renowned inhabitant - the rabbit Soleil - died in February at the ripe old age of 10-and-a-half.
He hit the headlines in both local and national newspapers when he was brought in as a replacement lawnmower to ensure surrounding neighbours wouldn't be disturbed.
caroline.mcclatchey@hamhigh.co.uk
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