The site, made of three houses and a visitor centre, in Gwent was yesterday (August 4) hailed by environment minister, Jane Davidson, as a ‘unique’ development.
One of the three homes has been designed to meet level six of the Code for Sustainable Homes, making it a zero carbon home – the first in Wales.
The house was built using the passivhaus method, which encourages a year round low cost heating and cooling design.
Ms Davidson said: “I have no doubt these houses will be a catalyst for major changes in the way we design and build homes in Wales. They will also inspire Welsh householders to live in a greener way.
“The products that have been developed here in Wales will also act as a catalyst for and the creation of a ‘greener’ economy by promoting the take up of indigenous construction materials, products and build systems.”
The development is a partnership between BRE Wales, the Welsh Assembly Government, Blaenau Gwent Council and the United Welsh Housing Association.
Luke Walsh