Families have moved in this month to a development of 26 sustainable affordable houses in Lancing, West Sussex.

The 4.3m scheme features water butts and a communal bike store and well as energy efficient solar photovoltaic panels, which are estimated to save one tonne of CO2 per typical household per year. One of the apartment blocks also uses a timber frame, and all of the homes meet lifetime homes standard as well as Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3.

Adur District Council’s cabinet member for regeneration, Jim Funnell, said: “This development is a good example of how working with others we can achieve real results. The homes are very impressive. They are light and airy, with some great environmentally friendly features.”

Adur District Council paid £195,000 towards the project, built by Crest Nicholson. The Homes and Community Agency put up £1.95m from National Affordable Housing Programme funds, and affordable housing provider Affinity Sutton gave £2.1m.