Tower blocks which once stood on the site have been demolished

Building work on the 47 new homes at Norfolk Park in the city, where former high rise tower blocks have been demolished, was due to begin on Monday.

Environmentally-friendly features of the houses will include water-saving spray taps, solar panels and insulation systems made from recycled rags.

The company behind the development say the "super efficient" homes will generate energy bills of �100 per year.

Land donated

Wildgoose Construction Ltd said some products to be installed in the one, two and three-bedroom houses had never been used before in the UK.

The Norfolk Park project is being led by the Environment Trust, which aims to create sustainable developments.

The trust has teamed up with Sheffield City Council, which has donated the land for free, allowing the homes to be sold at 70% of their market value.

Prices for a one-bedroom home in the development are planned to start at about �55,000.