The document summarizes an affordable housing project in High Ongar, Essex. £92K was invested to build 4 straw bale homes, including two 2-bedroom and two 3-bedroom houses. The straw bale walls provide highly insulated housing, with fuel costs 85% lower and CO2 emissions reduced 60% compared to traditional construction. The project also created training opportunities in complex foundations, bricklaying, and securing straw bales to the timber frame. Residents are pleased to live in the sustainable, economical homes close to family.

1. Affordable Homes Programme 2011-15
High Ongar, Essex

2. We’ve invested £92K AHP
funding in 4 homes
Working with Hastoe Housing
Association

3. Two 2-
bedroom &
two 3-
bedroom
straw bale
houses
This is a
first for a
housing
association

4. Timber framed
homes, in-filled
with the straw
bales
The walls have been
covered externally
with a lime render
Fuel costs at
around 85%
cheaper than the
average costs for
heating similar
homes of
traditional
construction &
CO2 emissions
are reduced by
around 60%

5. Scheme created training opportunities
Trainee gained experience
in a complex foundation
design to hold the buildings
down
Bricklayers had a NVQ
level 2 trainee to
construct the
brickwork to
accommodate the
straw bale structure
3 people
trained on
fitting/cutting
& securing
straw bale
structure to
the timber
frame

6. “This is a great example
of the government’s
investment in housing in
rural areas.
This innovative
development makes
good use of the available
land to provide
attractive,
sustainable and
economical homes
that the residents are
clearly very happy
with”
Becky Ashley, HCA Strategy Manager
“The High Ongar straw
bales scheme is an
exemplar project.
Sustainability is a key
part of our approach…
We have been through
an extensive design
and planning process
to ensure that the new
homes will be a real
benefit to the
community”
Sue Chalkley, Chief Executive,
Hastoe

7. “We have a lot of family in
High Ongar and I have
lived here since I was 14.
Since living in our Hastoe
home our lives have
improved.
Our family are over the moon that we
are close by. My grandmother is
housebound, so I can visit her as much
as possible…my father is 5 minutes
down the road.
It’s a fantastic
house and we
couldn’t wish for
better. It is cool in
the summer and
warm in winter”
Mrs Austin, resident

8. More info on AHP?
GOV.UK
@HCA_UK