The UK's first zero-carbon social homes have been finished in east Manchester.
Residents have moved into two new green homes in Beswick with triple glazed windows and no gas.
The housing development - between housing provider One Manchester and the council - is part of the target to become a zero-carbon city by 2038.
READ MORE: Over 150 homes in Manchester to get a green overhaul
The two eco-homes will also have a heat pump which provides hot water and a ventilation heat system installed.
Once fully finished, there will 22 two and three bed homes for social rent in Blackrock Street.
Meanwhile, a £3million project is underway to ensure more energy efficient homes, a reduction in households’ energy bills and lower carbon emissions.
The scheme will help transform the Grey Mare Lane estate on a low-carbon basis, along with improvements to local open space and play area and better walking and cycling routes.
The original target was 6,400 affordable homes between 2015 and 2025.
Cllr Gavin White, Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and employment, said: “This is nothing short of landmark for the social housing sector.
"We know there are major challenges in making 100% social housing developments viable, but this is doubled when developing zero carbon – or even low carbon – social housing.
“However, this is a challenge that we must meet head on if we are serious about meeting our target of becoming a zero-carbon city by 2038.
"Manchester has a very large social housing stock – nearing 70,000 homes – and the retrofit project to bring the properties to modern sustainability standards is huge, but absolutely essential.
“Thank you to One Manchester – and all of the city’s housing providers – who are stepping up to this challenge to help us develop the homes we desperately need, while keeping costs down for residents.”
Judy Noah, Director of Development at One Manchester, said sustainability is "at the heart" of what the company does.
She added: “We are so pleased to have built the first whole life net zero carbon social rented homes in the UK.
"We have already built a number of low carbon developments, but testing the next step has really given us the chance to see what is possible.
“We are looking forward to taking the learnings that we have made on this development and taking it to future One Manchester developments, helping to make a difference to the sustainability of homes in Manchester and reducing energy costs for residents.”
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