IT PROMISES to be the most advanced, environmentally friendly development of its kind.

Yesterday developers Ponderosa, of Heckmondwike, unveiled plans for a £30million retirement village off Smithies Lane, Heckmondwike.

The virtually carbon neutral Ponderosa Retirement Village will provide 160 state-of-the-art homes with the latest eco-friendly technologies, including rainwater harvesting, drainage systems and ultra-efficient insulation.

The development is expected to exceed all Government and EU standards for energy efficiency and achieve a ‘Code-5’ which is one band down from a ‘zero carbon’ rating.

It is hoped the development, which will take approximately three years to complete, will provide hundreds of jobs in the area.

The plans aim to regenerate Heckmondwike, including the Liverpool to Hull cycle path, and neighbouring Dewsbury and Ravensthorpe.

The plans, on the site of a former sewage works, were submitted to Kirklees Council last week.

It includes 120 one and two bedroom homes, some with rooftop gardens and a 40 bedroom cutting-edge care home. On-site healthcare will be contracted out in the village managed by Ponderosa.

Yesterday Ponderosa owner Howard Cook released details of the plan to the public and councillors of the derelict site.

Mr Cook, of Liversedge-based Howard Cook Builders, has helped formulate the plans over the last four years.

He said: “It’s a flagship for everybody. We’re now creating hundreds of opportunities. We will unlock massive potential for Kirklees.

“Eco-friendly developments do cost more but we’re in Green Belt and we want to live in a sustainable way and we want people to enjoy their countryside.

“It’s all about the carbon. We’ve achieved a ‘Code-5’ and no-one has done that before.

“Everything has been brought in locally so it will have a low carbon footprint.

“Heckmondwike and Dewsbury will get a major benefit from this.”

Ponderosa runs Ponderosa Rare Breeds Farm, Rural Therapeutic Centre and Visitors Centre, Smithies Lane, Heckmondwike.