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Cornwall Council says that it will no longer provide gas as a source of energy in its new homes and instead use greener alternatives.

The council has started to build new homes in a bid to increase the amount of affordable homes which can be provided for local people.

To date the council has completed one pilot project in Tolvaddon and a second in Bodmin is being completed in stages, the first phase was recently completed with people moving into the homes.

Plans are now in place for the next development in Bodmin as well as a development at Maudlin Farm in Liskeard.

With the council having declared a climate emergency earlier this year work has been done to try and make new developments target carbon neutral status.

As part of this the council, through its company Treveth which is leading the investment programme, is looking at alternative ways of providing energy and heating for properties.

In a report on the council's investment programme which is due to go to councillors on the economic growth and development overview and scrutiny committee next week details have been provided for how this is being done.

It states: "A lot of work is currently being undertaken to look at alternative energy solutions to move away from gas provision in housing. Starting with the next two schemes at Bodmin and Maudlin Farm gas will no longer be used. Solar energy panels will be provided on all properties and a number of heating options are being considered, including electricity, air source heat pumps and ground source heat pumps, taking into account the location and geology of each site to identify the best long term solution."

As well as taking a new approach to energy provision Treveth is also looking at the environment that the new homes will be in. The design of developments will be to "Building with Nature" standards which will, according to the report, be "incorporating connections to cycling pathways where possible and generally encouraging a more healthy lifestyle through the provision of bike stores, edible landscaping etc".

Treveth has also created a "Pattern Book of House Type" designs which will be used in future developments and is being used to masterplan the next three planned sites in Newquay, Redruth and Launceston.

The report says: "The Pattern Book has considered the Cornish vernacular and has incorporated the council’s ambitions for highly insulated, well designed family homes that will provide the local population with high quality accommodation to buy and rent."