A LOTHERSDALE couple have submitted plans to create a £250,000 "green" home that could be a first for Craven.

Joyce and Fred Abbatt plan to swap their Surgill Head farmhouse - parts of which date back to the 12th century - for a brand new eco-house built elsewhere on the estate.

The couple have been working on the project for the past 18 months and have submitted blueprints to Craven District Council's planning department.

Mrs and Mrs Abbatt, who run their own company, Health Manpower Systems, believe the build would be a first for Craven.

Idris Walters, of Cowling, has created an artist's impression of the house which will give people a perception of the build.

Mr Abbatt said: "We want to do it right. If we had just submitted an outline application it would be difficult to visualise and so we have gone the whole hog. We think it would be great for Lothersdale and Craven."

The 240 square metre home would be across two levels and around eight metres tall, although some of the height will be set into the ground. The build would include four bedrooms and a solarium.

Mr and Mrs Abbatt aim to generate renewable energy sources with a £20,000 wind turbine, which would be less than six metres tall, and solar panel windows. The home would also be well insulated and would include an underground source to a water pump. The couple would also use a biomass stove, fuelled by wood.

The home would be set near woodland which the couple have cultivated over the last 15 years to provide habitat for a rich diversity of animal and plant life.