Speaking to the paper, developer Jason Borthwick said:

Although it looks relatively traditional we want it to be really innovative in terms of the building materials we’re using. We’re looking at things like straw bale building, wooden frame structure, whole-roof photovoltaic, solar panels to heat all the hot water. We’re hoping it will be something really quite different and what we’re looking for at the moment is interesting, innovative ideas.

Of course, YHA are no strangers to eco-friendly developments, notably at Langdon Beck YH. There may be tips and techniques they can pick up from Norwich and apply to their hostels.

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Skiddaw is just one of many hostels in the Western Lakes who operate green energy schemes. Just one thing worries me – is solar energy really the right choice for the Lake District? Derwentwater and Black Sail are powered by rain…

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As well as the obvious plaudits for Green Beacon hostels like Lockton, there’s more subtle factors – such as the Association’s recycling of old buildings into new youth hostels.

You’ll also learn why you can’t get a drink of orange juice at Earl’s Court YH.

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This is the YHA’s greenest and highest hostel. From the dining room and lounge there are wonderful views over the North Pennines. Evening meals are served in the 31-bed hostel, which has a range of local real ales and organic wines. A wind turbine and solar panels generate more half of the power, and rainwater is harvested from the roof.

Nice to see a hostel other than the usual Whitby, National Forest or London hostel getting some limelight.

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Now Eskdale are in the news again. According to the Green Building Press, they’ve been installing new insulation in their loft that’s made from sheep’s wool instead of the usual, but less planet-friendly fibreglass.

Thermafleece insulation is made by Penrith company Second Nature, and can be bought from specialist stockists all over the country if you fancy doing something similar in your own loft.

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Fix the Fells has been featured on these pages before – it’s a partnership run by the Lake District National Park Authority, The National Trust and Natural England to repair Lake District paths and combat erosion in the future. All their work is heavily dependent on public fund-raising.

This year they’re running a Fix a Fell for Christmas campaign. Simply donate a sum on your loved one’s behalf and it will go towards upland paths. Just £10 will replant vegetation alongside one metre of path, whilst £600 will pay for an hour of helicopter time. What’s more any amount you give will be tripled by the Heritage Lottery Fund, so a donation of £10 actually gets them £30.

But how do you wrap up a few square metres of Cumbria and put it under the tree? Don’t worry, they’ve thought of that. When you make a donation, a personalised certificate is generated for you to print out and give as your gift.

But remember, a Lakeland footpath isn’t just for Christmas…

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In addition, the hostel will be fully refurbished next year, including a hydro-electric power generator and other eco-friendly features  – fruits of the Ennerdale and Black Sail appeal that was launched two years ago. The whole scheme forms part of the Wild Ennerdale project – an attempt to return the remote valley as far as possible to its natural state.

Thankfully for fans of the warden’s legendary curries, hostel meals will continue to be served at Black Sail. An earlier plan had called for the catering service to be withdrawn in an effort to reduce vehicle runs to the hostel. This decision proved unpopular with members and led to a re-think. YHA Development Manager Simon Ainley said:

While we still need to take a Land Rover to the hostel to transport laundry, refuse, gas bottles and cleaning products, through proposed changes to energy use and storage capacity on site, we can also provide catering while keeping the number of journeys to an absolute minimum.

We have also agreed in principle, a scope of works with our partners which will see Black Sail improved and reduce its environmental impact while retaining its essence and unique character.

Despite being the antithesis of the plush, coach party-friendly establishments that YHA is often associated with these days, Black Sail remains a talisman of what hostelling is all about. It’s good to see its place in the network being kept safe.

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The boiler will run on wood chippings from the nearby Miterdale Forest, a renewable form of energy that should lower the hostel’s carbon footprint. So next time you turn your own footprints towards Eskdale in search of a little warmth, you’ll be doing your bit for the environment too!

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[Lockton] is one of YHA’s first Green Beacon Youth Hostels featuring a rainwater harvesting system, live sedum roof, a compost toilet and photovoltaic cells.

You can read more about the awards in the York Press or on the Yorkshire Tourist Board website.

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