The government has approved plans for the biggest 'Zero Carbon' social housing estate to be built in Airedale, Yorkshire.

Wakefield Council, Wakefield and District Housing (WDH) and construction partners Keepmoat have announced that work on the green social housing development is set to begin in a matter of weeks, generating social housing jobs and community facilities for local residents.

Around 90 homes are to be built, using low carbon technologies and energy saving features, to make them the most eco friendly homes in the UK.

Each home will be well equipped with mechanical ventilation, heat recovery systems, photo voltaic panels, a high degree of air tightness and grey water recycling.

Such technologies will not only create a small carbon footprint, but they will significantly reduce tenants utility bills.

The homes are to be known as ''Code 6'' - in other words, the highest level of reduced carbon emissions that homes can achieve under the government's guidelines for sustainable buildings.

Portfolio holder for regeneration, culture and sport, Councillor Denise Jeffrey, stated of the scheme: ''Wakefield Council is pleased to be working with WDH on such a prestigious development scheme. The project represents an important step change in the provision of affordable housing.''

Jeffrey continued saying ''It demonstrates the way forward for large scale zero carbon housing and will be the largest traditional eco-housing development in the country.''