Plans have been approved to build energy-efficient homes in several disused garages.

Golding Homes and McGregor White Architects will be building eight properties at the sites in Maidstone.

Maidstone Borough Council has given the housing association the green light for three disused garage sites to be redeveloped.

These include The Harbour in Sutton Valance, Thatch Barn Road in Headcorn and Sheridan Close in Ringlestone.

Golding Homes plans to create two and three-bedroom family homes, surrounded by attractive landscaping and with enhanced biodiversity for the community to enjoy.

The properties will also meet the "Passivhaus Standard" – an international design to increase energy efficiency.

They’ve been designed to retain heat from the sun, requiring very little additional heating or cooling.

As a result, its residents should receive lower energy bills.

Steve White, director of McGregor White Architects, commented: “We are pleased to support Golding Homes in maximising the potential of these small sites through high quality architectural design, which delivers homes that are fit for the future and creates neighbourhoods where people are proud to live."

Tom Casey, director of development and strategic asset management at Golding Homes, added: “Our new homes must be fit for the future, which is why we’ve committed to increasing the environmental performance of our new developments.

“To get planning permission for these eight Passivhaus homes marks progress towards delivering more affordable and sustainable homes and supporting Net Zero targets.”