The innovative design of a new development in Nottingham means 18 of the houses, on the site of a former bowling club, can be 'snapped together' within two days of arriving on site. The Green, in Westfield Lane, Mansfield will not only be quick to build, but also cheap to run – costs are expected to be as low as £250 a year. Director of Spinelock, the company behind the flat-pack eco homes, Derick Wilson said the innovation came as a response to the struggling housing market. "When we realised the housing market was in crisis – we put the two together – fast construction and low running cost, to create a house that could be expertly built, quickly and solidly, at prices on a par with conventional build but with the environmental systems in place to create low running costs and emissions."

Wilson has 15 years experience working on renewable energy projects, and is looking forward to seeing the project come to fruition, with the development set to be launched on June 21-22.

The company's houses provide potential homeowners with living spaces approximately 30 percent larger than many other new houses in the area – but without the high price normally associated with such grand designs.

To achieve Code Level 6, the houses are highly insulated and heated with a low-energy, under-floor system, providing controlled heat in each room and rapid thermal response. Roof-mounted solar panels generate both heat and power, from combined solar thermal and photovoltaic systems (PVT).

The combination of insulation, controlled living conditions and renewable energy is expected to bring savings of 80 percent compared to a traditional new-build, offering greater financial security against rising energy bills.

A rainwater harvesting system is also installed to reduce water consumption and a patented anti-block gutter system, which, together with a maintenance-free brick and wood-grained exterior, also offer an easier life.

The factory which builds the components has taken on 20 additional people and more jobs will be created as the company expands. Plans are in place which are expected to deliver 300 new jobs over the next three years, in collaboration with local colleges.

The process enables the stages of construction to work in parallel. Off-site, all services are integrated into the houses, with everything, including kitchen appliances, installed prior to delivery to the site. At the same time, the majority of on-site work, such as piling and infrastructure, can take place unhindered. Once this stage is finished the completed house is transported to site, secured on the plot using screw-piled foundations and connected to the utilities. This allows better separation of trades, less material wastage and avoids weather damage – altogether a smoother, more controlled construction process which can create zero carbon homes at highly competitive prices (houses at ‘The Green’ start at £129,950 for a 2-bedroom house).