"Tower block site will be transformed into a state-of-the-art and energy-efficient complex"

"In times of soaring fuel prices, Sheffield Council and The Environment Trust might just have the perfect home for you."

"In a few months time work is to start on a new £5.2m scheme of environmentally-friendly, green homes in what was, until recently, one of the least desirable places to live â?? Norfolk Park."

"The London-based trust, which has pioneered affordable, environment-friendly housing, says it will become its first such development outside London."

"The super-energy-efficient homes, available from October, will feature water-saving taps, showers and toilet cisterns, rainwater collection butts and energy-saving, high efficiency boilers."

"The site will include 14 one-bed and 18 two-bed apartments and 15 three-bed houses available through a shared equity scheme of 70 per cent of market value."

"This would equate to £77,000 for one-bed apartments to more than £125,000 for the three-bed homes."

"News of the scheme comes as the Government revealed plans to ensure all new housing will be carbon-neutral within the next decade."

"The country's housing stock is responsible for 25 per cent of the country's green house output."

"Trust chief executive Jon Alderton said: "Sheffield was one of the first cities to introduce a tram system and, from the moment we met (the council), it has been about practical environmentalism."

""It's clever to be green. It doesn't make sense to spend £750 on energy bills if you can save it."

""These are very energy efficient homes because they have solar panels on the roof and pre-heated water as well as water-saving spray taps."

"He said that, in a standard British house, heat was lost because the air changes 7.5 times an hour compared to 1.2 in these eco-homes â?? the norm in Swedish or Scandinavian homes."

"He added: "Mainstream developers are not interested in running costs but I think that will change. Some people think it's a tipping point."

""Everyone who buys one of these homes will get a green handbook to tell them things like the nearest recycling point and to how to maximise the energy efficiency of their home.''"

"Jan Fitzgerald, Sheffield City Council's programme director, added: "We wanted to do something very special at Norfolk Park."

""We decided to approach the Environment Trust and do a flagship scheme for us to show what can be achieved. The site is very close to the city centre, has beautiful views and is a fantastic place to live.''"

"n Our A Green Future campaign is highlighting eco-friendly efforts to safeguard our planet for generations to come. We will also point to setbacks in the battle."

"Ways of building all new homes to zero carbon performance standards were examined yesterday by Ministers and home builders in the battle against climate change."

"Housing and Planning Minister Yvette Cooper wants new properties to meet the targets of zero carbon emissions within 10 years, but developers say they cannot achieve this alone."

"Better green features such as insulation and efficient heating can come at a cost and recent figures show how the effects that spiralling house prices, an increase in single-person households, more divorce and longer lifespans are having on property supply."

"The number of households is set to increase by 23 per cent over the next 20 years."

"If housing supply remains at 2005 levels, there will be a shortage of 50,000 homes each year across England according to figures released in 2006 by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister."

"More than a third of all working households under 40 cannot now afford to buy a home even at the low end of the housing market."

"In the South the situation is even worse, with half of all working households under 40 in this position, according to research by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation."

"The housing summit, attended by suppliers, utility companies, regulators, local government and environmental groups, marks the most ambitious attempt by the home building industry to deliver higher environmental standards."

"Ms Cooper said: "Every sector of the economy needs to do its it bit to help cut carbon emissions and I welcome the commitment of the Home Builders Federation to delivering much higher environmental standards in the future. We know it will be a challenge for all new homes to be zero carbon within 10 years but we think the industry can rise to it.""

"Tony Blair has asked for all his personal air travel to be "offset" â?? paying for the carbon emissions to be compensated by "green" projects â?? Downing Street disclosed last night."

"The Prime Minister's official spokesman said Mr Blair had paid for his New Year break in Miami to be offset and would do the same for future holidays abroad."

"The disclosure
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