While “carbon neutral” may still be proving elusive for many developers, work has begun on Leeds on what is aimed to be the UK’s first “carbon negative residential development”. The Greenhouse is part of Leeds City
Council’s Beeston Hill & Holbeck regeneration and is converting a former workers’ hostel into one, two and three bedroom flats. The Citu development involves ground source heat pumps, rooftop wind turbines, a rooftop thermal system, insulation and a 100m wind turbine set to become the city’s tallest structure.

There will also be an electric car sharing scheme, bike hire and umbrellas to encourage walking.