Councils pioneer energy-efficient straw homes - in pictures

Builders working on a straw house in Lincolnshire. North Kesteven council built the first two straw homes in the UK last year. Photograph: PR Builders used 450 bales for each of the two-storey houses, bought at £2 a piece from a local farmer. Photograph: PR ModCell makes sustainable, prefabricated straw bales and sets up a ‘flying factory’ in a space such as a farmyard where wall panels for homes can be assembled close to where they are needed. Photograph: PR The interior of a straw house in Lincolnshire. Its insulating properties mean fuel bills could be only 20% of those of conventional homes. Photograph: PR The shell of a straw house in Lincolnshire. North Kesteven council is keen to build more homes from straw. "Our straw houses are not a gimmick, we are serious", says council leader Marion Brighton. Photograph: PR Artist’s impression of a new 20-home 'eco village' community in Leeds being built by ModCell for the Low Impact Living Affordable Community (LILAC) Photograph: PR