Six zero-carbon homes in Semington have been completed by developers Newland Homes and Wiltshire Council.

Solar panels and air source heat pumps are installed in the homes so all the energy generated for them comes from zero-carbon sources.

They development is in a rural Semington area with no access to domestic gas.

The homes were built as part of Wiltshire Council’s programme to provide 1,000 affordable homes over the next decade.

Four of them are affordable rental housing and two shared ownership homes.

They have been built as part of the St George’s Mead housing development, a mix of new two and three-bed houses and a bungalow built to adaptable standards for Wiltshire Council to own and manage.

Wiltshire Cabinet Member for Housing Phil Alford said: “On average, there is less affordable housing in Semington than the rest of Wiltshire and it’s something we’re keen to change. These new zero-carbon homes provide much-needed affordable housing with low running costs. This forms part of our wider vision for affordable, low-carbon homes across the county.

“Affordable housing and tackling the climate emergency are key aims of our business plan and this development is a clear example of the work we’re doing to make that a reality.”

Mr Alford also reaffirmed the council’s 2020 commitment to the council house build programme which will see around £195m invested into building new, energy-efficient council homes up to 2032.

He added that the council also still plan to stick to their 2020 promise to invest £289m up to 2032 on improving existing council housing properties to ensure they achieve a minimum energy performance rating of B.

When these plans were first drawn up Wiltshire Council Leader Richard Clewer said: "These changes will also deliver significant financial savings of up to £600 a year for our council house residents.”

All affordable rent homes have now been allocated. One two-bed shared-ownership home is still for sale and conveyancing has begun on the other shared-ownership home.

These homes have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating in excess of 100 and an A category for energy efficiency.

Shared ownership is an alternative option to renting if you can’t afford to buy a home outright. People interested in finding out more can contact Victoria Smith at victoria.smith@wiltshire.gov.uk

These investments are part of the council’s commitment to lead the way to make Wiltshire carbon-neutral by 2030.