Press Release

‘GREEN’ FARM COTTAGES TURN NEWSPAPERS INTO INNOVATIVE INSULATOR

18 October 2006

The Crown Estate and Louise Crossman Architects have completed Court Place Cottages, a pair of new build, innovative, ‘green’ farm cottages in Withycombe, West Somerset.

The cottages are exemplars of sustainable design and environmentally sound development. They have been designed by Louise Crossman Architects and are on The Crown Estate’s land at Court Place Farm. Louise and her husband, who is the farming tenant at Court Place Farm, have jointly funded the project with The Crown Estate.

Whilst talk in many architectural and design circles is of geothermic pipes, photovoltaic roofs and solar panels – one of the most effective and innovative ways of controlling heat loss in buildings is through the use of effective insulation. Court Place Cottages have been insulated with recycled newspapers – an amazing use of a traditional resource with outstanding results in heat control.

The ‘warmcell’ recycled newspaper insulation has been complemented by timber construction frames (containing less embodied CO₂ than traditional block construction), whilst locally sourced, environmentally sound, clay tiles (from Bridgwater) have been used on the roof and the orientation of the cottages maximises passive solar gain.

Dinah Nichols, Crown Estate Board Member responsible for corporate responsibility said: “Court Place cottages are an excellent example of innovative, contemporary, environmentally sustainable homes. Louise’s imagination and skills have made this project a reality and I am very proud that The Crown Estate has been so actively involved. We have a commitment to improve our environmental standards and to act responsibly in the communities where we work and this development is an excellent combination of both.

“By incorporating traditional construction methods and local materials, all of the local community can be proud of Court Place Cottages.”

The resulting buildings are a joyful combination of affordable housing and sustainable building practice, sitting gable end to the road, reflecting the shape and form of the vernacular buildings of the farm complex of which they are part. The use of sustainable building materials and design that is in sympathy with the landscape delivers both Louise Crossman Architects and The Crown Estate’s strong beliefs in contributing to communities, improving social and environmental standards and promoting sustainable development.

The Crossmans will purchase one of the cottages which will then be let, and the other will be retained by The Crown Estate and placed within the farming tenancy.