As long ago as the 10 January I did an article on houses built with straw. At that time North Kesteven District Council were seeking planning permission to build these types of houses in the villages of Martin and Waddington. Now I see in the Spring 2009 edition of 'newsnk' that planning has been granted for a pair of semi-detached houses to be built in West Grove, Martin. The three bedroom family homes will look like conventional brick built properties and be the first 'typical affordable council houses' to be built by a local authority using straw bale construction. Designed by West Yorkshire company AMAZONAILS. the properties will have straw bales as their structural element. The straw bale walls will be plastered with lime and have conventional windows and roofs. The properties will be three times better insulated than regulations require and will not therefore require heating systems. However, wood burning stoves will be installed for very cold weather. Construction work is expected to start very soon and once underway people will be able to go and watch it take place. This is a very exciting project and we shall continue to follow its progress. (Artist impression by kind permission of amazonails info@amazonails.org.uk ).
