Lynmouth Road, in north London, appears unremarkable — it consists of normal-looking Victorian terraces. But thanks to a neighbourhood initiative the road is about to become its own power station, providing energy to 30 homes. Could this be a model for the future? In our cover story this week, we meet the people responsible. Also in this issue: actor Mark Bonnar on class, heritage, and the Litvinenko scandal; why swearing at Christmas is a stress-buster; and festive truffles by Nigel Slater. Out on Sunday with the Observer. Photograph: @charlieclift