Built environment students from the University of Bolton are getting to grips with plans for the North West's first zero-emissions eco-home, set to be built by Manchester United and England star, Gary Neville.
And if their ideas for the project meet the grade they could be part of the final building, a luxury home featuring the latest state-of-the-art renewable energy technology.
Seven students, who are studying architectural technology with senior lecturer Colin Orr, make up the team who are developing their ideas from the brief the footballer set his own architects, Make.
The students have met with their client, Gary Neville, who explained the key elements of the project especially important to him. They are now drawing up their ideas for a low energy, sustainable home.
Next they will have their ideas judged by their lecturers, Gary, and the architects, just as the development's plans are now under the scrutiny of Bolton Council planners.
Said senior lecturer, Colin: 'This is a wonderful project for our students to be looking at – it is not only a live project, and a high-profile one at that, but it is also highly unusual.
'This is greenbelt land, but it is a green home. The students have already been out to see other buildings that have been granted planning permission in similar circumstances – they are very rare.'
Gary Neville is seeking planning permission to build his four-bedroom home on greenbelt land on the Bolton/Bury border. However, its design means it would be built into the hillside, causing minimum impact on moorland views.
Said Colin: 'This is a dream proposal for students – the opportunity to express themselves and use all the design innovations available.
'The students will be using an holistic approach to the design project as they look at the latest in renewable energies and it will be the core of their dissertation.
'Exceptional quality is the goal here and if their ideas make the part they could find them in the final build.
'It is a highly distinctive project and is going to make for a CV with highly distinctive, real-world project experience for when they graduate.'
The University and Make are now looking at new ways to work together and create further opportunities for students.
Said Make partner and project architect, Stuart Fraser: 'The Eco House is a great opportunity to push the boundaries of current thinking in terms of long-term environmental sustainability. What is also fantastic about the project is that it allows us to work alongside the University of Bolton.
'This collaboration goes further however; two seminars have already been agreed with the University – one from Make's Ken Shuttleworth and members of our design team and one from Peter Rolton, one of only two external consultants that are on the government's advisory panel for renewable and sustainable energy. Both will be open to students across the North West.
'Not only does this mean we help to galvanise action and innovative thinking from the leaders of tomorrow's generation, but it also enables us to learn from them, fostering community links and helping us to get under the skin of a local viewpoint.
'Students from the School of the Built Environment and Engineering will be given regular access to the site to assess the construction progress and use it as a case study for their studies with a long term aim for them to produce a film documenting the construction of this unique and exemplar project.
'We are also considering the option for university students to undertake a competition to design and manufacture 'a contemporary sculpture trail' that will be a tourist attraction for the town and a legacy of this project.'
Picutred: An artist's impression of how the eco-home would look, plus ideas of how the living space, kitchen and terrace area would look.
Images copyright of and reproduced by the kind permission of Make