NEW homes to be built in Wootton Wawen will be the first in the county to boast about 70 per cent energy efficiency.

Some 14 properties will be built on land near Allens Caravans in Wootton Hall.

The homes, which developers say aim to be as eco friendly as possible, will be the first of their kind built in Warwickshire.

The Passivhaus scheme, which is being developed in partnership with Waterloo Housing Group, will include a mixture of properties including bungalows.

The amount of energy required for space heating and cooling will be almost three quartered by siting the homes to maximise solar gain, fitting triple glazing and insulation, and calculating heat losses and gains throughout the fabric of the building.

Initially in April the development was refused planning permission by Stratford District Council on several grounds including its green belt location.

The proposals were later approved in May on the grounds that it would provide a social benefit in the form of affordable housing and the environmentally friendly nature of the development.

Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) software is being used to ensure the specifications for quality approved passive houses are met and a Passivhaus accreditor will be assigned to the development.

Funding of £460,000 has been agreed with Stratford-on-Avon District Council for the new development, along with £350,000 from the Homes and Communities Agency, and Warwickshire Rural Housing Association (WRHA) is working closely with Wootton Wawen Parish Council.

Chairman of Wootton Wawen Parish Council Mike Crowther said: "It’s been a long road, but it’s certainly been worthwhile and we’re delighted that this ground-breaking scheme is now going ahead."

"They identified the need for more affordable homes in the village several years ago and have worked with the Parish Council and Warwickshire Rural Housing Association to make it happen.”

WRHA company secretary Craig Felts said: "We are pleased to have the strong support of Wootton Wawen Parish Council and our District Councillor in showing that affordable homes in rural villages can make a positive change to the way we design and build homes.

"As well as bringing much needed affordable homes to local people, this new development will help to tackle rural fuel poverty while protecting our climate."

Stratford-on-Avon District Councillor Simon Lawton, added: "Sometimes the inflexibility of the planning system has failed to deliver much needed affordable rural accommodation.

"As such, I was delighted to support this Parish Council led proposal, was impressed by the extensive consultation within the village and also by its excellent design philosophy.

"Whilst development in the greenbelt is never ideal, I concluded that this is the best available site for such specialist development in Wootton Wawen.

Work is expected to start on site at Wootton Wawen this summer.