The Lincolnshire Guide > News > Straw Houses to receive Royal guest

The country's first council houses build of straw will be visited by His Royal Highness, the Duke of Gloucester, on Thursday, June 17.

North Kesteven District Council has invited His Royal Highness to view its ground-breaking development in Waddington in connection with his personal and professional interest in architecture.

The two houses which are now complete at Brumby Crescent are the first in the country to be built of straw by a local authority. They have been jointly funded by the Council and the Homes & Community Agency and are built to the highest environmental specifications.

The revolutionary design and build technology includes walls made of straw bales, sheep's wool padding in the floor and extra thick roof insulation, recycled glass blocks in the foundations and lime instead of cement in all aggregates.

They also feature large south facing windows for maximum warmth and light, are triple glazed to reduce heat loss, have three times the insulation value of conventional homes, feature solar water heating and entirely chemical-free natural construction materials, where possible.

They have an estimated 200 year lifespan and will have dramatically reduced costs for heating because of their high insulation ratings.

Council leader, Councillor Mrs Marion Brighton, OBE, is delighted that HRH The Duke of Gloucester, had accepted the Council's invitation.

"The development of these houses has been an important project for the Council in leading the way with sustainable development and we are gratified by the interest shown in them both by members of the public and other authorities across the country.

"I am sure, given the Duke's previous interest in public buildings and architecture, that he will be equally impressed with what we have achieved in partnership with our builders Taylor Pearson Construction and the designers Amazonails," she said.

"It will be a pleasure for us to highlight to excellent work and passion for the project that everyone involved has invested in it over recent months and to showcase our commitment to affordable homes of the highest standards."