Cheshire's first Straw Bale House!

I visited the first straw house in Cheshire a few days ago- in the process of being built at the moment near Norley. Lee Johnson is undertaking this challenging project after some experience of building previously.

Straw is one of the most sustainable building materials available. It locks up carbon when used for a building rather than emitting huge amounts like brick and concrete. It has amazing passivhaus level insulation values and can be used in walls as a structural component.

Lee has built the house on a fairly standard foundation with a layer of recycled glass blocks, foamglas, between the foundation and walls to stop heat loss going down. Its been a difficult summer for straw building with such a wet summer but now he has got the roof built he can relax a bit!

The walls will be plastered with clay from the site, this allows good breathability and stops draughts. On the outside Lee will use a render made from hempcrete, a mixture of hemp and lime mortar for a weather resistant attractive finish. I will update on progress! An impressive project.

Thanks Chris Copeman- Helsby Bourough Councillor.