Green Council Homes

I recently visited Bridport house on Colville Estate. This post war estate is scoring two firsts: it is the first new council owned housing to be built in Hackney for decades and it is being rebuilt to meet today's higher standards for more energy-efficient homes.

It has the distinction of being the tallest wooden built structure in Europe and has hosted a number of overseas visitors.

It is constructed of wood which is steam pressed in layers so that it is dense and strong. The resulting homes are well insulated and have solar panels on the roof for green, cheap electricity for residents.

All homes have been built 10 per cent bigger than the post war Parker Morris standard, which has long been a benchmark for reasonably sized homes.