AN ECO-FRIENDLY house designed to make the most of the sun's warmth won the backing of South Lakeland district council planners.

The timber-clad house will replace a cattery at Primrose Hill, Priory Road, Ulverston - a site outside the town's development boundary.

Development control manager Peter Ridgway said that, although the site fell outside that boundary, the plans had "specific merits" - the house would be on the edge of the built-up area, support sustainability and replace an existing building with little architectural value; and the site was well screened.

Mr Ridgway told the development control sub-committee that the house also scored an 'excellent' rating based on the Building Research Establishment's assessment method.

The plans submitted by Mr J.

Poole are for a detached house designed to be energy-efficient and eco-friendly.

The pyramid-shaped roof will be covered with second-hand slate, and the layout has been designed to maximise the sun's warmth, with warm air being circulated into colder rooms.

Rainwater will be collected from the roof and recycled for toilet flushing.

Planners agreed to back the plans, provided that Furness Enterprise is satisfied that materials and labour will be sourced locally.

Mr Poole was unavailable for comment this week.