FUTURE housing built on council-owned land in Herefordshire will be designed to net zero carbon standards.

Plans are being made by Herefordshire Council to build net zero affordable homes in the county, to address the shortage of housing and the needs of local communities.

The Herefordshire Future Homes report sets out the environmental building design standards that will govern future housing developments on council-owned land and council retrofit schemes across the county.

The homes will be designed in a way that minimises energy use, have reduced greenhouse-gas emissions, and are set in neighbourhoods with open spaces to enjoy and sustainable transport options.

Coun Ange Tyler, cabinet member for housing, regulatory services, and community safety, said the new building standards would make a significant contribution to becoming carbon neutral by 2030.

"Not only is this good for the environment, it also increases the value of a house, meaning a greater return on investment for the council, for developers, and for homeowners," she said.

“Good design and high levels of energy efficiency from the council will also provide a blueprint to other developers in Herefordshire, helping to spread the best possible practice.”

The council said that future homes will have excellent thermal insulation, to reduce heating costs, and will be designed with triple glazed windows.

Homes will not have gas boilers, but electric heat pumps for heating and hot water. Electricity will be generated through solar panels.

Heat recovery ventilation will also be installed, to avoid cold window draughts. The council said filtering the incoming air will people with asthma and hay fever.

Coun Ellie Chowns, cabinet member for environment and economy, said the homes were a triple win policy.

"It’s good for people, the planet, and the economy," she said.

"At a time when we’re worrying about climate change and about increasing fuel bills, these council houses are showing what all new homes could and should be like.”