A 39-HOME affordable housing development in a Somerset village is set to utilise the latest eco-friendly technology in a bid to cut bills by up to 79%.

Developer Stonewater is working with Galion Ltd on the housing scheme at Shiremoor Hill, in Merriott.

A mix of two-, three- and four-bedroom houses and bungalows for affordable rent and Rent to Buy, the scheme will be built using the WholeHouse digital platform, developed by Travis Perkins.

The system blends traditional construction techniques with modern, off-site manufacturing processes to deliver homes more quickly, with significantly lower carbon emissions and material waste.

All materials are supplied via a central warehouse network, reducing on-site waste and ensuring long-term maintenance for residents and housing providers alike.

The homes are expected to be much more energy-efficient than average, with estimates suggesting residents’ energy bills can be cut by nearly 80%, carbon emissions reduced by 89% and water usage lowered by 22% compared to national household averages.

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James Bradbury, Stonewater group director of growth & development, said: “We’re proud to be bringing more affordable homes to Merriott, especially ones designed to be both high-quality and better for the environment.

“These homes will help meet local demand and support the future of this thriving rural community.

“The use of the WholeHouse platform is another way for Stonewater to continue to innovate and bolster our growing rural homes plan, delivering cost and energy efficiencies and providing warm, comfortable and well-located homes for our customers.”

Lee Jackson, technical director of Travis Perkins Managed Services, added: “We’re excited to be bringing the benefits of WholeHouse to the social housing sector, supporting Stonewater to deliver high-quality, sustainable homes more efficiently.”

Angus Macdonald, founder of Galion Ltd, said the scheme would set a “new benchmark for affordable rural housing”.

Work on the development is set to start later this year, with the first families expected to move in by 2026.