Blackwater Sustainable Housing Project Mission Statement "The Blackwater Sustainable Housing Project is committed to creating a replicable, affordable and environmentally friendly rural clustered housing development, built to the highest standards of environmental, social and economic sustainability. The project is further committed to contributing to the aims of the Blackwater Resource Development strategic plan to establish the Blackwater Valley as a centre of excellence for Sustainable Development" Background to Blackwater Sustainable Housing Project Cork County Council working in partnership with Blackwater Resource Development are developing a environmentally sustainable social and affordable housing project in Lombardstowncalled "Baile Glas". This project is one of the largest Co. Council funded project in the EU. Blackwater Resource Development is a community based, local development organisation, which administers the LEADER+ Programme in North East County Cork. LEADER+ is an EU initiative aimed at encouraging the implementation of integrated, high quality, origional strategies for sustainable development in rural areas. We have also prioritised a number of environmental initiatives under its LEADER+ strategic plan for 2001 - 2006. It is commited to raising awareness through training and education around environmental issues such as waste management, water pollution, energy conservation and sustainable living. Blackwater Resource Development's key strategic aim is to establish the Blackwater Valley as an area of excellence for sustainable development. To this end, a major pilot initiative, to facilitate the development of a Sustainable Housing Project, is planned by the company. This is one of the largest LEADER+ projects in Europe to date. The project is aimed at creating a rural clustered housing development built to the best standards of environmental and economic sustainability in the North Cork area using the latest modern technology. The Vision for the Blackwater Sustainable Housing Project This unique project will be of immense benefit to the North Cork area in many ways. Firstly by developing a functional sustainable settlement the Blackwater Valley becomes recognised as an area of environmental excellence. The construction of 12 homes will provide an oppourtunity for training in sustainable building techniques for both the Local Authority personnel and local trades people and service providers. This will facilitate the replication of this project both in private and social houses in North Cork and in the rest of Ireland. The residents of this social and affordable housing scheme will benefit by living in a healthy home to the highest environmental standards and by reduced energy, water and waste bills and expenses. The construction of these homes will provide an oppourtunity for training in sustainable building techniques for both the Local Authority personnel and local trades people and service providers. This will facilitate the replication of this project both in private and social houses in North Cork and in the rest of Ireland. It is also expected that the development will encourage Eco - tourism in the area and will attract Eco Business and will result in a signifigant multiplier effect ultimately contributing to generating a vibrant rural community in the North Cork area.