In an innovative move, Hackney Council is cross-subsidising the development of two new sustainable housing schemes which are set to break ground in local authority planning delivery. Luke Barras-Hill investigates.

Riding the enduring wave of the housing market crisis and with a lack of money for sustainable housing, councils often struggle with funding new ventures that are both cost effective and practical.Hackney LBC's new £25 million partnership with Lovell is aiming to address this imbalance.