A WINDERMERE businessman has come up with a way for schools and businesses to expand - using eco pods.

Nick Clegg, a father-of-five, and business partner Philip Doleman, from Manchester, established their Pod Living company two years ago.

They decided to create environmentally-friendly 'classroom pods' at a time when there was a fear that a baby boom would eventually put a squeeze on schools struggling for space.

Mr Clegg, a dad-of-five and a former award-winning estate agent, has now seen the idea take off and the business come runners' up at the Green Build Awards.

Nick, 49, and a team of architects from Manchester firm AFL have created 'super green' eco classrooms with the emphasis on them being 'affordable, environmentally friendly, good looking and fun'.

They also create the same for businesses looking for an environmentally friendly office without the cost and impact of a new build.

Nick said: “Our original plan was to develop a series of Glamping Pods, but after sending out an email to schools around the country about our idea of eco classrooms, we changed our approach.

“We couldn’t believe the response and demand. So far we have developed eight eco classrooms and orders are still coming in.

"The design, what they are made of, the ethics behind them, the ease at which they can be constructed and the price, have all really captured the imagination of headteachers.”

Pod Living’s ninth Eco Classroom has just been in finished at the West Lakes Academy in west Cumbria, but they are also at various stages of planning for another eight schools and other community projects.

Different classrooms have different features, but most include recycled plastic foundations, special timber frame, recycled wood fibre insulation, recycled decking, double-glazed doors and windows, super-efficient air source heating and cooling, lighting with 20 year lifespans, rain water harvesting, eco toilets, recycled roofs and solar panels.

The company says one of its classrooms built in Suffolk is thought to be the most energy efficient standalone classroom in the UK.

Mr Clegg added: “They are a great solution to capacity problems but it also provides the schools with an opportunity to do their bit for the environment."

Most pods cost around £80,000 and can be ready within two weeks.