The most environmentally-friendly council homes ever built in Norwich could be constructed in Mile Cross, if a £1.5m scheme goes ahead.

The proposed development at Hansard Close would see the council's former area office knocked down and replaced with 10 flats built to Passivhaus standard.

That would make those flats - eight one-bedroom flats and two two-bedroom flats - the first council-owned homes built in Norwich to such a standard.

Passivhaus homes are built to the highest standard of energy efficiency and designed to use very little energy for heating and cooling.

The council says examples of Passivhaus features include extra thick insulation, triple glazed windows and doors, and heat provided through a mechanical vent heat recovery system.

The neighbourhood office at Mile Cross closed almost two years ago as part of a city council shake-up.

The £1.5m scheme to replace it has been designed by Barron and Smith Architects.

Consultation has started with people living nearby, who have until Friday next week to have their say on the scheme.

The council is hoping to secure planning permission later this summer, with work starting on the site in the winter.

The new homes will all be for social rent, let through the Norwich Home Options scheme.

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