A PLAN to build ten environmentally-friendly bungalows on a Darlington estate was unveiled yesterday.

Three Rivers Housing Association wants to build the two-bedroomed homes in Edgemoor Road, Firthmoor.

They will be designed using green materials to provide maximum natural warmth in order to conserve energy.

Jonathan Baker, from designers Ryder HKS Architects, told a meeting of Firthmoor Community Partnership Board: "We need to look at how we use materials to build buildings more efficiently and how to reduce natural energy wastage.

"We are creating a robust attractive streetscape which will add value to the area."

Jonathan Gibson, from Three Rivers, said a planning application would be submitted to the borough council shortly. If approved, building work would start early next year and hopefully be completed by autumn.

Board chairman Bill Cook said: "These houses will be a vast improvement. I think it's going to help the estate tremendously."

The meeting also heard that council housing officers were dealing with eight neighbour nuisance cases on Darlington's Firthmoor estate.

Tony Martin, from Darlington Borough Council, said: "All of these are routine, eg personality clashes, loud music. Staff will take appropriate action where necessary."

Mr Martin told the meeting that the amount of rent arrears for council homes on Firthmoor had dropped by almost a quarter in the past year.

The total arrears is now £43,130 compared to £56,381 last year