A VISION of the future of Bicester’s proposed eco-town is taking shape in the centre of the town.

Work has begun on the construction of a environmentally-friendly show house, which will demonstrate the technology to be used in the 5,000-home development in North West Bicester.

Hoardings originally went up around the site, in Garth Park, off Launton Road, in October, but building work was delayed because of design problems concerning the treatment of waste water.

Bicester’s mayor Richard Mould finally broke the ground last week, heralding the start of work on the display home, which is expected to take about four months to build,. It is due to be open for inspection by residents from April.

Green technology on show at the zero-carbon house will include triple glazed windows, solar photovoltaic tiles, which convert light into electricity and heat water, and rain water harvesting fixtures which allows water to be used for washing machines, toilet flushing and watering the garden.

It will also include a smart meter to monitor energy use, low energy lighting and low-flow taps.

Michael Gibbard, Cherwell District Council’s executive member for housing and planning, which is leading the project with consortium P3Eco, said: “We will be able to show a pretty conventional looking house, but it will demonstrate eco-credentials.

“Whatever the costs of purchase might be, it’s the reduced running costs that will attract people.”

James Porter, chairman of planning at Bicester Town Council, said: “It’s good to see construction work start.

“Once they get it up people will see how their lives and homes will be more eco-friendly.”

The demonstration house was funded by Cassadian Homes Ltd, which is also due to provide housing at the eco town site.

The planning application is likely to be decided in February or March next year, and a masterplan for the entire site is expected to be submitted in the summer. P3Eco said the first phase, called the exemplar, would include 425 homes.

A total of 30 per cent of which will be affordable housing, a pub, shops, a school, business innovation centre, village green and allotments.