In a first pilot project for the Duchy of Cornwall, homes in its Cornish community of Nansledan, visited last week by HRH The Duke of Cornwall, have been built using sustainable concrete blockwork made with proprietary lightweight aggregate from Low Carbon Materials (LCM), a 2022 Earthshot Prize Finalist.

The project demonstrates how the Duchy of Cornwall can act as a real-world test bed for innovative solutions, bringing Earthshot Prize Finalists into developments that deliver lasting social and environmental impact.

The blockwork was manufactured by Ibstock using OSTO®, LCM’s drop-in lightweight aggregate, which is made from waste that would otherwise be incinerated. The first homes which will accommodate up to 16 individuals at the development incorporate the blocks.

The Duke of Cornwall visited the site last month to support with finishing touches to the supported homes. The project is being delivered by the Duchy of Cornwall in partnership with Cornish charity St Petrocs and is supported by The Royal Foundation’s Homewards programme. The build of the homes was funded by The Duke of Cornwall’s Charitable Foundation. The scheme will provide 24 low-carbon homes across two phases with wraparound support for people experiencing homelessness. The first residents are expected to move in this summer.

“This is a pioneering initiative in several respects. It marks a first for the Duchy in addressing homelessness and supporting local people on a path toward secure, long-term housing. At the same time, it deepens our understanding of low-carbon building techniques as part of our commitment to reaching net zero. We hope the insights gained here will prove valuable and inspire similar efforts across the UK.”

The project is a natural fit for LCM, whose sustainable materials enable the construction industry to cut emissions without changing how it works. The company was selected as a Finalist for the 2022 Earthshot Prize, the world’s most prestigious environmental award founded by Prince William — in the Fix Our Climate category.

“We’re hugely proud to be part of a project that does so much good for people in Cornwall. It shows that homes built to tackle homelessness can also be built sustainably. By working closely with partners like Ibstock across our supply chain, we can make low-impact materials the easy, drop-in choice for builders, not a trade-off.”

“We’re proud to have played a role in a project that brings together social purpose and sustainable innovation. By supplying blockwork made with Low Carbon Materials’ OSTO® aggregate, we’ve supported the delivery of homes that not only meet a critical need in Cornwall but also demonstrate how lower-carbon materials with circular benefits can be applied in practice today. This project is a strong example of what can be achieved when partners across the supply chain work together to turn waste into value and deliver better outcomes for people and the planet.”

It’s not the first time LCMs products have been featured in a high-profile project this year. LCM’s biochar-mineral aggregate ACLA®, the company’s flagship carbon negative additive, was used at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in the Asthma + Lung UK Breathing Space Garden, which won a Silver medal. The garden’s central platform used a world-first, net zero concrete mix combining ACLA® with oyster shells and calcined clay.