UNCONVENTIONAL rooftops have been rolled onto a new eco-friendly housing development.

The grass-sedum roofs cover 55 apartments at Helen Court in River View, Witham, which will be rented to older people with care needs.

They will keep the building in keeping with its surrounding area, as well as reduce water run-off and absorb carbon dioxide.

Other eco-friendly features in the build include a biomass boiler that will be fuelled by woodchip pellets.

Braintree Council gifted the land to Hanover Housing at nil cost to replace an outdated sheltered housing block with the new buildings.

The project costs £6million, of which Braintree Council gave £1million, £2.49million was contributed by the Homes and Communities Agency and Maldon Council provided £250,000.

Lady Newton, Cabinet member for housing and well being at Braintree, said: “It’s wonderful to see the progress being made here in Witham where we are addressing the real need we have in the district for housing that provides a higher level of support than can be provided through conventional retirement housing schemes.

"It’s good to see green technologies being used to soften the impact of new buildings in the landscape and reduce our carbon footprint.”

The apartments are due to be available in September. A list is being compiled of people to be considered for the new homes. For more information call the housing assessment team on 01376 552525.