A couple who have been dubbed “Mr and Mrs Green” have used their own home to showcase their energy saving and environmentally friendly ideas.
Now that showcase is up for sale as they plan a move up to York.
Audrey Miller, who used to lecture in environmental science, and her husband Duncan, took part in a green homes scheme earlier this year. They opened their house in Over Mill Drive, Selly Park, to the public so they could see some of their initiatives and perhaps adopt them in their own homes.
“We were one of 12 properties featured,” says Audrey. “People could come and talk to us and seek our advice. We found it very encouraging that people were taking an interest.
“We have always been very active in all sorts of green endeavours but we particularly went to town in our home.”
The modifications to conserve energy and make the four-bedroom detached more environmentally friendly have all been made by the Millers, rather than being incorporated into the house as it was built.
They include solar panels to the roof, a solar hot water system, loft insulation, reflective surfaces behind radiators and growing all their own fruit and vegetables in their organic garden.
“We virtually don’t have any electricity or gas bills,” says Audrey. “We also get an income of well over £1,000 a year by inputting the solar panel energy into the national grid.
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“We grow a lot of our own fruit and veg. I like my flowers but there are fruit bushes and vegetables growing alongside.
“We are self sufficient in soft fruit. We’ve masses of strawberries, all the currants – red, white, blackcurrants, raspberries, loganberries, tayberries (a cross between a blackberry and red raspberry) – fruit trees like cherry, apple, Victoria plum. We’ve also got a kiwi.
“Every part of it is grown organically and has been for 20 years.
“We save rainwater and use it for the garden. We also have a water meter and try to keep usage as low as we can without being uncomfortable.”
The couple have been involved in a number of causes in Birmingham over the years.
Duncan was the founder of the Northfield Ecocentre. They were involved in Birmingham becoming the biggest Fairtrade city in the world for a short time and they helped to organise the hands around the city protest in 1998 which took place during the G8 summit and saw the formation of a seven mile long human chain campaigning against Third World debt.
“We achieved quite a breakthrough,” recalls Audrey.
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“Everything to do with greening the city we have been pushing for.”
They will continue their initiatives when they move up north, where they will be downsizing to a bungalow.
“We have already been eyeing up the roof. It faces south so it has its advantages. It has got a garden – I don’t think we would be able to survive without a garden. We are looking forward to changing it into everything edible.”
Over Mill Drive is an exclusive cul de sac development built around 30 years ago just off Selly Wick Road.
The property has a great deal of character. It has a driveway to the garage and lawn at the front. There is a glazed porch and welcoming reception hall.
The sitting room is lovely and bright with a brick fireplace with living flame gas fire and sliding doors into the conservatory.
A substantial addition to the accommodation downstairs, the conservatory really captures the sun. Double doors lead onto the garden.
There is a dining room with hatch through to the kitchen.
The breakfast/kitchen looks out onto the garden and has an extensive range of fitted units in white, continuous work surfaces in a soft fawn colour and mango coloured wall tiles. There is a ceramic four-ring hob with stainless steel splashback, extractor hood, space for fridge and freezer and plumbing for a washing machine.
A door leads through to an excellent utility room with storage and plumbing for a washing machine and tumble dryer. A cloakroom is fitted with a toilet and basin.
On the first floor the master bedroom has garden views and a range of fitted wardrobes.
A door leads through to a spacious en suite bathroom with a soft green suite comprising a corner bath, toilet and basin.
Bedroom two has two sets of fitted warbrobes and bookshelves.
There are two more bedrooms, one of which is currently being used as a study.
The bathroom has a panelled bath, toilet and a basin in a pale turquoise colour. There is an airing cupboard which contains the solar water tank.
The meter for the PV panels is in the garage.
The solar panels have in the last four years produced electricity that has generated an income of more than £1000 pa. from the tariff to the National Grid, which still has over 20 years to run.
Outside there is a garage and space to extend the property (subject to planning permission).
The garden has a terrace, lawn, well-stocked flower beds, vegetables, fruit trees and bushes. The cold frames and green house will be left.
VIEWING INFORMATION
AGENT: Robert Powell
TEL: 0121 454 6930
WEB: www.robertpowell.co.uk
GUIDE PRICE: £525,000