“Green roofs” are a highlight of a £4 million new homes development proposed for a two-acre agricultural site adjacent to Mount Pleasant Road in Threemilestone near Truro.

Planning permission is being sought by St Piran Homes for construction of 29 houses and apartments, including eight affordable homes.

The company is proposing, for the first time, to install sedum planted roofs on the apartment blocks.

Such roofs are described as “living carpets.”  The sedums - low-growing self-sustainable succulent plants with thick fleshy leaves and stems - are particularly suitable for growing in the inhospitable conditions found on a roof.

As well as their high aesthetic appeal, they have environmental performance benefits such as improved thermal performance, reduced carbon dioxide levels, improved oxygen levels and air quality, reduction in rainwater run-off, and contributing to lower urban temperatures.

St Piran Homes have submitted their planning application to Carrick District Council and hope to start construction later this year for phase one completion in Spring 2009.  A second phase for the final six homes will follow in a later sequence.

The project, providing work for around 70 people in the building trade, is for a mix of detached and terrace houses and apartments, with a variety of house types and densities and with prices currently expected to range from £187,000 to £370,000.

Designed by PDP Green, of Camborne, the layout for the as yet unnamed scheme is inspired by an informal village style, with shared vehicular/pedestrian areas and natural speed control by design.

With neighbouring land protected on account of its origin – believed to be a Roman burial ground – the site will retain as many trees and hedges as possible and have a communal space as a natural focus point.

The design maximizes day-lighting and solar gain with a large percentage of south-facing dwellings and main gardens.