ONE of Herefordshire's most energy efficient housing developments has been built in Hereford city centre Barton's Place, off Eign Street, has been developed by South Shropshire Housing Association, in partnership with Herefordshire Council, which provided grant funding.

The homes have been designed by JBD Architects to meet the country's top eco-friendly rating. They have been advertised through Homepoint - Herefordshire Council's choice-based lettings agency - and tenants found for the seven houses and nine flats for rent.

An additional six homes have been sold on a shared ownership basis.

South Shropshire senior development officer Darren Luter said: "The development is specifically designed to meet public expectations for more sustainable homes and to provide tenants with high quality affordable housing."

Herefordshire Council's head of strategic housing Richard Gabb added: "The council is pleased to have contributed more than £1 million in grant funding to help ensure that local people have a housing option that uses leading edge technology, is ultra energy efficient and very affordable to heat and run".

Barton's Place has ground source heat pumps that use below-ground temperatures to help provide hot water.

There are heating and heat recovery and ventilation systems which allow moisture to be removed from the warm air before being mixed with fresh air and recycled.

Added insulation and maximum use of passive solar energy through walls and glazing material add even more to the energy efficiency of the buildings in Barton's Place.