MORE than 400 university students descended on Ely this week as part of a project to build environmentally friendly housing at Grunty Fen. The students, all studying architecture at The University of Nottingham, arrived in Ely on Tuesday as part of an eig

MORE than 400 university students descended on Ely this week as part of a project to build environmentally friendly housing at Grunty Fen.

The students, all studying architecture at The University of Nottingham, arrived in Ely on Tuesday as part of an eight-week design project called Fen House, which will see students design sustainable, eco-friendly housing.

One of the students, 24-year-old Sharon Phipps, said the group had enjoyed exploring Ely and Grunty Fen.

"We are looking at a greenfields site of one acre and the idea is that we are not able to get planning permission for normal houses, so we need to find a sustainable way of building there."

Ely's deputy mayor Ron Bradney met students and staff ahead of their visit to Grunty Fen.

"Planning rules shouldn't be set in stone, especially if it's a special house that makes the best of the world's assets," he said.