LHA-ASRA has received planning permission from North East Derbyshire District Council for 32 new affordable two bedroom bungalows for the over 55s.

The environmentally friendly homes, planned for Wayside and Eyam Close, will be built to a level four standard in the Government's rigorous Code for Sustainable Homes. Elsewhere in the country, the vast majority of new homes for affordable rent are built to level three.

To reach the standards required for level four, the houses will have a state-of-the-art renewable heating system, which uses a biomass boiler run on wood pellets. It will be the first bungalow scheme in the east midlands to use a biomass heating system.

This will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 44 per cent and also means residents will have lower gas and electricity bills.

All the homes will be specially designed for easy use by wheelchair users - with two built to full wheelchair mobility standard.

The bungalows will meet the Lifetime Homes Standards which means they are adaptable to suit a range of needs to allow people to live independently in their own homes for as long as possible.

LHA-ASRA, the housing and regeneration agency, is contributing £100,000 towards this project while the Housing Corporation has awarded a grant of £333,000.

LHA-ASRA is working with the developer William Davis and a Community Employment Advisor from North East Derbyshire District Council to generate opportunities for construction training and employment.

Work on the scheme is set to start before the end of August and should be completed next summer.