Duchy Timber has begun ramping up production of pressure treated timber for a new sustainable housing project in Cornwall.

Construction of the first 90 houses on a former China clay site near St Austell will begin in September and could result in 300 homes over 20 years.

The project will use locally sourced wood for joists, partitions, internal woodwork, roof shingles and other components.

Duchy Timber has its own onsite treatment facility which uses Arch Timber Protection’s Tanalith E wood preservative, the water-based product that uses copper from recycled sources and orangic biodedgradeable biocides.

The treated timber can have a service life of 15-60 years depending on end use, a spokesman for Duchy Timber said. The homes could be up to 80% timber.