FOUR new eco apartments are to be built in the centre of Okehampton, with construction due to start soon.

The site of the new development is the rear garden of Tenby House, close to Fairplace Church.

The eco apartments have been designed by Okehampton architects Studio OK, and the scheme is described in a West Devon Borough Council's planning report as 'a welcomed modern development to the conservation area.'

The development will consist of two ground floor flats, suitable for the elderly, and two first floor flats, which will be made available for first time buyers.

Architect Nils Westman said the apartments would be very environmentally friendly: 'The starting point for the design was to create a scheme which has strong ecological and sustainability credentials and would create a pleasant environment, both internally and externally.

'The building has been designed to obtain as much natural light as feasible, with all the spaces being naturally ventilated.

'Provision has been made for the addition of solar thermal panels for hot water heating. It may be possible to heat each flat using only the minute conventional heating system with some supplementary heating from the MVHR, which recovers heat from stale air extracted from the bathroom and kitchen areas, on the coldest days.

'Also, there are a range of energy saving and water saving technologies planned to reduce the carbon footprint of the scheme, and the sedum roof will be able to store rainwater and will be a bio-diversity haven for birds, insects and butterflies.'

The building will have a contemporary appearance, constructed from traditional materials such as timber boarding sourced locally from Devon woodlands, and has been designed to fit in with surrounding buildings. A flat roof has been built into the design to minimise overshadowing of neighbouring properties. The development will be built by local firms.

During the planning process in late 2009, three letters of representation were received, though the scheme met approval from planning, conservation and highways officials.

Mr Westman said: 'The scheme will enhance the area.?We met with the town council and some of the ward councillors to discuss the scheme, and as a result resolved the concerns they had.'