A new development of affordable housing designed by a district council aims to provide 30 zero-carbon homes.

The properties will be built on the site of the former Highview school in Moat Farm Road, Folkestone, and have been designed by Folkestone and Hythe District Council’s in-house team.

For the first time the council's designers been joined by three tenants who have helped to look at different ways of ensuring the homes substantially reduce carbon and are accessible for future residents.

The technology which will help to make the houses carbon-neutral when occupied includes mechanical ventilation with heat recovery systems, solar panels, battery power storage and air source heat pumps.

Work is expected to start on the 24 houses and six flats early next year. An application for planning permission is still awaiting approval by the council's planning committee.

Cllr David Godfrey, cabinet member for housing and special projects, said: "The Highview development is ground-breaking in many ways.

"It is a council designer product which reflects the style of houses in Kent and Folkestone.

"By using modern methods of construction and the latest technology, these homes will be as close as practicably possible to zero-carbon in use.

"And, for the first time, all this is being achieved with the input of three of our existing tenants. All in all, Highview will be a very special to live."

The fully-accessible small neighbourhood will also have open spaces with child-friendly landscaping. It will be connected to surrounding streets, with an emphasis on the movement of pedestrians, rather than vehicles.

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