Fourteen youngsters from Elmswell Primary School's eco-team visited a £4.5 million eco-friendly development in the village on Tuesday, where they were among the first people to see inside some of the 26 homes that are nearing completion.

The landmark scheme at Claypit Field, Thedwastre Close, is a joint project between Suffolk Preservation Society and Orwell Housing Association, designed by Riches Hawley Mikhail Architects.

Homes in the development, which will be known as Three Gardens, were built using energy-saving natural resources such as hemp and lime spray that will insulate the properties and reduce the need for heating – making the scheme the first in the country to have a near-zero carbon footprint.

The group got to see builders digging a hole for a woodchip boiler that will be used to heat the site.

Children at the school were also visited by one of the project's architects, who showed them some of the materials used in the scheme.

Teacher Lindsey Bilston said: "The children really enjoyed it. It's improved their understanding of what can be done in this country to make homes more environmentally friendly."