Plans to build one of the UK’s biggest ever “Zero Carbon” social housing developments in Airedale, near Castleford in West Yorkshire, have been given the go ahead with work due to start on site in less than two weeks.

Following the green light from Wakefield Council, Wakefield and District Housing (WDH) and construction partners Keepmoat announced that work would begin on the visionary £12 million, 91 home Park Dale estate in Airedale from as early as 22 March.

Part-funded by the Homes and Community Agency (HCA), each one of the 91 homes will use a ground-breaking combination of energy-saving and carbon-reducing features that will make the new estate one of the biggest ever “Zero Carbon” or “Code 6” social housing schemes in the country.

Code 6 refers to the highest level of reduced carbon emissions that a home can achieve under the Government’s Code for Sustainable Homes.

Every one of the two, three and four-bedroom homes will have mechanical ventilation and heat recovery systems, photovoltaic panels that enable the landlord to sell power back to the National Grid, superior levels of internal air tightness and grey water recycling – in addition to many more energy-saving features.

Homes in the new neighbourhood will draw heat from its own “Eco Centre” - a district biomass heating system that will be powered by renewable wood pellets produced in Yorkshire.

Energy savings are expected to be as equally impressive: tenants will save significant amounts of money each year on household energy bills, with water bills reduced by using recycled water to flush toilets.

Residents of the scheme and in the local area will be invited to learn how to make these savings through sessions held at the specially designed “Eco Centre” which forms part of the scheme.

Mark Trafford, WDH Area Manager for Airedale, said: “The Park Dale development is the realisation of a long-term WDH aspiration to build affordable, 21st century homes for the people of Airedale.”

Ashley Jones, Design and Build Co-ordinator at Keepmoat, said: “This scheme is the result of a lot of hard work from all the stakeholders involved in this project. The design has been carefully thought out to make the properties as energy efficient as possible. We’re very proud that the scheme has got the go ahead and look forward to seeing work progress on site.”

Richard Hodgson, Managing Director of NPS, adds: “NPS are delighted to be the designers of Park Dale and part of the delivery team on one of the largest zero carbon housing schemes in the north.”

Helen Wordsworth, WDH Service Director Strategic Partnerships, said: “This scheme has been designed to use traditional methods of construction with renewable energy sources. Mainstreaming Code 6 like this means we can generate employment opportunities for our communities whilst reducing the costs of living for our tenants.”

David Curtis, regional director of Homes and Communities Agency for Yorkshire & Humber, said: “Planning approval for these 91 homes marks a major milestone in providing the people of Airedale with homes that meet their needs. We are pleased that WDH are able to provide such energy efficient homes to help families not only reduce their energy bills but also their carbon footprint.”

Councillor Denise Jeffrey, Portfolio Holder for Regen, Culture and Sport, commented: “Wakefield Council is pleased to be working with WDH on such a prestigious development scheme. The Park Dale development project represents an important step change in the provision of affordable housing. It demonstrates the way forward for large scale zero-carbon housing and will be the largest traditional eco-housing development in the country. Park Dale will show how green living can be made easily accessible to the public, enabling everyone to do their bit for the environment.”