A hemp farm in Fressingfield, Suffolk, is set to provide its surplus crop for use in house construction. Wakelyns Farm, operated by Kitty Wilson Brown and Claire O'Sullivan, has been cultivating hemp for four years, primarily for colourful fabrics.
The farm, described as one of East Anglia's last remaining hemp growers, is now collaborating with Chloe Donovan of Natural Building Systems. Donovan aims to use the crop for building materials, such as insulation, in sustainable homes.
Hemp has a long history of use in England, dating back to the 5th Century for fibre and extensively between 1500 and 1800 for ship ropes and sails. Growers today require a licence from the Home Office to ensure the crop contains low levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
Donovan stated that hemp can improve building performance by buffering internal humidity, which may reduce issues with damp, mould, and condensation. She also noted its potential to help prevent overheating in summer.
A government spokesperson confirmed that rules have been eased to facilitate the growth of industrial hemp for lawful purposes. However, there are no plans to remove the licensing requirement for low-THC cannabis or to allow the supply of cannabis leaves or flowers under industrial hemp rules.