Plans for an eco-friendly social housing scheme in Long Sutton near Spalding in Lincolnshire have received approval from councillors, who believe it will make Long Sutton recognised worldwide.

The development consists of three three-bedroom and three two-bedroom detached earth sheltered dwellings.

Each house will use state-of-the-art energy saving technology, including photovoltaic panels installed on the roofs, providing electricity and heated water as well as a rainwater harvesting facility.

It will be the first social housing scheme in the UK to give tenants independence over their energy, water and waste management, with residents even expected to make around £5 a week from the excess electricity filtered back into the National Grid, aided by a 6kw wind turbine in the centre of the site.

The houses will be designed by Long Sutton's SEArch Architects and will be managed by the Lincolnshire Rural Housing Association (LRHA).