Homes with an "eco-conscious design" are being constructed on the outskirts of Faversham on the site of a former garden centre.

The three, four, and five-bedroom houses in Hernhill, called Fairbrook Grove, are expected to be complete by autumn - but will set prospective buyers back at least £550,000.

Developers submitted plans for the site back in 2015 after it stood unused and derelict for 25 years following the closure of Silver Sands Nursery and Garden Centre.

Previous planning applications for the land including 28 houses and a separate proposal for a 50-bedroom hotel were rejected.

But proposals by Warrens Stores for nine three-bed homes, three four-bed houses and two five-bed properties were given the green light by Swale council’s planning committee in May 2016, despite some concerns of increased traffic levels from residents.

Called ‘passive houses’, the 14 German-inspired homes are designed to save owners money on energy bills.

Triple glazing, solar panels, ventilation and space heating are all installed.

The German term ‘Passivhaus’ refers to a building with a rigorous standard for energy efficiency resulting in buildings that require little energy for heating or cooling.

There are many Passivhaus schemes across Scandinavia and Germany, but - despite a scattering of properties in England - they are yet to take this country by storm.

A spokesman for property consultant Strutt and Parker said: “The contemporary design of the eight detached and six semi-detached homes creates a modern contrast while complimenting the existing community.

“(They are) built with natural materials and are incredibly energy-efficient.

“There will be no through or circular traffic.”

Each property, eight of which will be detached, comes with a single or double garage as well as a garden.

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