Bedale pupils with judges

An innovative project to make all new housing in Bedale ‘eco-friendly’ won top marks in a recent school competition.

Judges said that the ‘Becodale’ scheme could hugely increase the town’s sustainability.

Sixteen students from Bedale High School took part in the Hambleton District Council ‘Designing a Sustainable Community’ competition which produced everything from an eco community that could float on water to communities created around green transport with hydrogen fuelled cars and bikes.

The year eight students worked in eight teams to produce their designs as part of the national sustainable schools programme. It is supported by a new learning and teaching resources developed by the district council and the York and North Yorkshire Waste Partnership.

They then brought their ideas to the Civic Centre in Northallerton to put before a judging panel - Rosemary Taylor (Hambleton Strategic Partnership); Sandra Walbran, Mick Jewitt and Councillor Arthur Barker (Hambleton District Council); and John Noone (Bedale and Villages Community Forum).

“All eight entries were really impressive and showed vision and commitment,” said Mick Jewitt, Assistant Director for Hambleton District Council.

“Picking the winner was very hard but we chose Becodale because it is deliverable now and could increase the town’s sustainability if used. We wanted to find a scheme that would develop the existing market town of Bedale. Becodale did just that - it aimed to improve housing and develop leisure, education and business facilities that set new standards in sustainability.”

The winning team took home a £500 cash prize to be spent on resources to enable the school develop future environmental projects. The seven runners up received vouchers to buy gardening equipment and seeds for the school’s allotment.

The competition – which was open to all year eight pupils at Bedale High School – was supported by Hambleton District Council, Hambleton Strategic Partnership and North Yorkshire County Council.

It is hoped that in 2010 the competition will be developed to bring in more schools across the district.