The modern revival of Earth Sheltered dwelling began in 1973 in the U.S.A. as a result of the oil crisis and the growing awareness that fossil fuel supplies were finite. About 6,000 North American earth shelters have been constructed in the last 25 years and many more in Continental Europe, Scandinavia, Russia, Australia and the Far East.

All over the world the use of Underground space is being considered seriously as a potential solution to the problems of surface development.
The main reasons are:

• Pressures on space
  
• High land values
  
• Energy saving
  
• Reduced visual impact
  
• Stability of the environment
  
• Lower maintenance costs
  
• Protection from extremes of weather

Currently there are mega-plans for the development of underground space in Japan, Australia, North America, Norway, Holland, Sweden, Germany and China.
A recent report indicated that in Russia there was more development in progress below ground than above it.

In spite of the world wide recognition of the importance of development below grade, the idea of living underground often carries some stigma or at least reservations.
These can be categorised:-

• There is an association with "dark, damp and dirty"
  
• There are fears of claustrophobia, disorientation and collapse
  
• Advocates of the discipline are often considered to be environmental freaks, associated with long hair, sandals, new age, etc.
  
• There is also a wide-held belief amongst some older members of the R.T.P.I. that earth sheltering is an attempt to avoid development control. Needless to say, all these reservations are groundless.

Simon Ormerod's conservatory - Cornwall

In Britain the discipline has not been overlooked.
London was the first city to have an underground railway and the network of Victorian infrastructure below our major cities, the extensive building of bunkers during the last war and the old traditions of basements and cellars are reflected today with modern constructions such as the channel tunnel, the London water ring-main, the British Library at St. Pancras, several other University and college libraries and public buildings such as the Sir Joseph Banks centre at Kew Gardens, the Castle shopping mall in the centre of Norwich, the Sainsbury Centre at University of East Anglia and, the new visitor centres at Penrith. Several other modern buildings reflect the old traditional turf roof on a grand scale - notably the Readymix Concrete International Headquarters at Thorpe park, the extension to the University buildings in Edinburgh, Cannon Street Station and the Gateway supermarket at Basingstoke.
Hundreds of smaller examples of modern turf roofs are to be found around the country, but these buildings are not necessarily below grade and so are not considered to be truly earth-sheltered.

The first 'modern' earth sheltered home was designed and built by the noted architect Arthur Quarmby who practises in Huddersfield. This home, 'Underhill', which lies on the very edge of the Peak District National Park overlooking Heyden Moor is mentioned in the Peak Park Planning Board's design guide as an exemplar. Arthur Quarmby has lived happily in this house since its completion in 1975. He is President of the British Earth Sheltering Association.

There are now about 60 earth sheltered dwellings in Britain including a few which have been standing for many years:-

• Caer Llan Berm House, near Monmouth
  
• Mole Manor at Westonbirt
  
• The Round House at Milton Keynes
  
• 'The Sett' A farm house at Maes-y-Coed
  
• A private house at Alnwyck ...

Caer Llan Berm House, Monmouthshire

...... and more recently a row of five houses at Hockerton, and beautiful dwellings at Port Stuart and Avoncliff, the staggering home in Highgate - fit for a prince! and the very down to earth home in Wadebridge.

Planning permission has been granted for a number of private homes some of which are under construction.
In Monmouth Borough after a considerable effort over several years it has finally been agreed in the adopted local plan that Earth sheltering will be given special consideration on sites where conventional development would not normally be allowed.