THERE was a low-key reception for the Duke of Edinburgh when he visited a flagship green housing project.

A small number of residents lined Lawton Street when Prince Philip visited the Primrose Hill eco-housing complex on Ridge Close.

Pupils from nearby Stile Common Junior School welcomed him into the grounds of the 48-flat development with a rendition of folk song Chatter With The Angels and African drumming.

Fellow pupils then showed him a display by the school's Eco Team, which does work on environmental issues.

Year 6 pupil Michael Starkey, 11, was given the honour of welcoming the duke on behalf of the school.

He said: "He was very polite. I was nervous, but it was a once in a lifetime experience."

Head teacher Gill Goodswen said: "It was a fantastic experience for them and I thought they performed really well.

"He was lovely with them. They were completely starstruck."

Also there from the school were Ellie Burnham, Aaron Noble and Megan Williams, who helped to design Primrose Hill's communal garden.

The award-winning £7.5m housing development, managed by Yorkshire Metropolitan Housing, was officially opened in November last year.

It was designed and built using renewable timber and sustainable building materials sourced from local suppliers, including Meltham based Structherm.

The development is part of the UK's largest domestic installation of solar power.

It provides residents with cheap, environmentally friendly electricity and hot water, generated by solar panels on the buildings.

Jimm Reed, senior project development manager for Yorkshire Housing, said: "We are all extremely proud of Primrose Hill and the duke's visit was a great opportunity to showcase a prime example of sustainable living.

"Residents think it is fantastic that their homes are helping protect the environment, as well as saving them money on their energy bills."

Philip Webber, of the council's environment unit, said: "It's the biggest solar village in the UK and a great example of how you can transform a neighbourhood with poor housing into the best housing with lower running costs.

"The duke was clearly interested in what we have done here.

"He mentioned that they use some renewable energy at Balmoral."

Joyce Knight, whose Primrose Grove home is fitted with solar panels, met the duke.

She said: "I thought he was very friendly, more down to earth than you would think, and I liked the way he was with the children."