Millfield Green Retirement Village, Millfield Lane, Caddington, Bedfordshire

The development will be the UK’s first net-zero retirement community.

According to U-switch research, many over 65’s struggle to pay their energy bills during the winter, with 40% saying they can only afford their bills if they make spending cutbacks in other areas. The net-zero approach will have a positive, long-term impact on running costs through better insulated dwellings and site generated renewable energy.

The proposal goes above and beyond local policy requirements and represents a commitment by the developer to meet climate change objectives, setting an example for future schemes nationally.