Work has begun on the UK's biggest "zero-carbon" social housing development in Airedale, near Castleford.

Following Wakefield Council's decision to approve plans for the Wakefield and District Housing (WDH) "Zero Carbon" development, trades people and machinery from WDH's construction partners Keepmoat moved onto the site to start work on the visionary £12m, 91 home Park Dale estate on March 22.

Local residents said the development has created a lot of interest.

30-year old mum Irene Horrell, from Woodside in Airedale said: "People are going to sit up and take notice. It's a massive boost for the local area. You don't expect such high quality homes to be made available - and affordable to the people who live in the neighbourhood.

"Some of the new homes on offer will suit my family needs. I don't want to have to move out of the area to find a suitable property because I rely on the support of my family who live close by - and this is a great option to remain close to them. The situation is the same for many other families in the area."

Kevin Dodd, WDH Chief Executive, said: "The Park Dale development is the realisation of a long-term WDH aspiration to build affordable, 21st century homes for the people of Airedale.

"This scheme has been designed to use traditional methods of construction with renewable energy sources. Mainstreaming Code 6 like this means we can generate employment opportunities for our communities whilst reducing the costs of living for our tenants."

Mike Dixon, local resident and chair of the Airedale and Ferry Fryston Neighbourhood Management Board, said: "Local residents will appreciate that the amount of money being invested in the area is to benefit them. They will feel valued.

"For homes of this quality to be both available and affordable to local residents is great news for the area. Park Dale will really make people want to look after the local community - I'm sure it will look fantastic once it's completed."

Part-funded by the Homes and Community Agency (HCA), designed by NPS and built by social housing contractor Keepmoat, each one of the 91 homes will use a ground-breaking combination of energy saving and carbon-reducing features that will make the new estate one of the biggest-ever "Zero Carbon" or "Code 6" social housing schemes in the country.

www.wdh.co.uk