Students from a local university have been catching people on film revealing how they would spend an extra £50 a month to promote the energy savings at the new Green Street in The Meadows homes in Nottingham.

A team of young moviemakers from Nottingham Trent University has been commissioned by specialist developer Blueprint to make two films after they got in touch through the social media network Twitter.

Their previous film gave an insight into The Meadows neighbourhood and its sense of community.

Now, the new five-minute movie discusses how eco friendly houses save their occupants money by highlighting the energy saving features at Green Street, a development of 38 sustainable homes next to the Victoria Gardens in The Meadows.

The homes are designed to minimise consumption and maximize energy efficiency so home owners reduce their environmental impact and enjoy low energy bills.

The owners of the contemporary homes are likely to save over £50 a month compared to those in traditional houses. 

Estimates from Green Street's Plot 5 are for an annual energy bill of £250, just over £20 a month. In comparison, it is reckoned a 1960s terraced house would cost the owner an average of over £1,100 a year for energy.

Nottingham people were asked by the students what they would spend £50 on if they had it spare.

Many said they would love to splurge their extra cash on meals out with their family. Others said they would buy wine, beer and shoes and one interviewee even suggested he would use it to pay off the tax man.

The film was made and project managed by Janet Stars Chu, cameraman Atif Javaid, and scriptwriter and shot designer Arslan Watto. 

Janet said: "I was thrilled to be approached by Blueprint. After offering suggestions for different types of video, I wrote a brief, and after positive feedback recruited the crew to make the film.

"It's a really exciting task, and I am happy to be part of something that shows how unique and beneficial these houses really are."

The houses reflect Blueprint's high standards of design and sustainability. 

John Long, development director at Blueprint said: "These houses will save the owners heaps of money, and they will also be helping to save the environment.

"The scheme will fit in with the existing street layout, the Victoria Gardens and the Trent Embankment, and new residents will have access to one of the largest and longest established open green areas in the city."

The first phases of homes are nearing completion with leading-edge green technologies such as super insulation, solar shading, low energy lighting, low water consumption and mechanical ventilation, which all help to cut down the expenses.

The Green Street in The Meadows show home, fitted out by Jane Clayton & Company, is open to the public between 10am and 6pm on Saturdays and 10am-5pm on Sundays. The show home manager can be contacted on 07824 312 502 or jas.khaira@blueprint.gb.net to arrange viewings during the week.