A new housing estate in North Devon is so revolutionary it has won an award before work has even started on site.

The 35 environmentally-friendly homes at Livarot Walk in South Molton will be timber framed, triple glazed and insulation will be recycled newspaper and sheepswool.

The housing project has won a Green Apple Award, awarded by the Green Association.

Its supporters say the lessons learned from the project could be used in future housing schemes.

We have a whole concept of providing houses for people in need but in a totally sustainable way

Marguerite Shapland

North Devon District councillor, Marguerite Shapland, says tenants are queuing up for the chance to live in one of the houses.

Each building needs only a quarter of the average amount of energy and water.

"This is, as far as we know, the first social housing scheme in the south west being built in this way," she said.

"We have a whole concept of providing houses for people in need but in a totally sustainable way."

New Year start

It is a joint project between North Devon District Council and Devon and Cornwall Housing.

"We have all worked very hard to get this project off the ground," said Andrew Chandler, director of development for Devon and Cornwall Housing.

"This is the most environmentally-friendly scheme we have built and it will not be the last."

Bideford-based ecological architects Gale & Snowden have designed the scheme and work is due to to start in the New Year.