A total of 40 zero-carbon council homes are to be built in Eltham after a new housing development has received unanimous planning consent.

The development at Orangery Lane will incorporate a new public square, increased biodiversity, a flexible commercial unit and 73 cycle spaces.

Royal Borough of Greenwich, A&E Elkins and shedkm said they were delighted to announce that unanimous planning consent has been received for the new development, which is part of 'Greenwich Builds'.

The council said the new homes have been designed to be flexible and adaptable to meet a range of needs, with family homes and four apartments for wheelchair users.

The high-quality and sustainable development is located in a prime location near Eltham High Street, close to various transport links.

The housing development in Orangery Lane, Eltham in south east London

The housing development in Orangery Lane, Eltham in south east London

Royal Borough of Greenwich Cabinet Member for Housing, Anthony Okereke, said: "We're thrilled that our plans for Orangery Lane received unanimous approval, demonstrating the high-quality homes that we're providing through our Greenwich Builds programme.

"With accommodation ranging from one-bedroom flats to family and wheelchair-accessible homes, this development shows how we're responding to the needs of people on our housing waiting lists.

"We look forward to seeing local residents moving into this development and the hundreds of other Greenwich Builds homes now approved and under construction across Royal Greenwich."

Engagement to take on board the views of local residents and other stakeholders was carried out via an online consultation, with the feedback received being used to inform the final proposal.

The housing development in Orangery Lane, Eltham in south east London

The housing development in Orangery Lane, Eltham in south east London

The housing development in Orangery Lane, Eltham in south east London

The housing development in Orangery Lane, Eltham in south east London

Greenwich Builds is the council's home-building scheme aiming to construct 750 new homes to be let to residents at 'genuinely affordable rents'.

Greenwich Council says the project is a major part of its commitment to meeting the needs of 20,000 households currently on their housing waiting lists.

The development at Orangery Lane joins the 302 other Greenwich Builds homes which have received planning approval since the programme was announced, with many schemes now reaching completion.

Cllr Danny Thorpe, Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, said: "This fantastic development is a great example of the high-quality council homes we're delivering across the borough with our Greenwich Builds programme.

"The inclusion features like retail space and a new public square show the consideration we're giving to everyone living near our developments, improving the local environment as well as building truly affordable, much-needed council homes for local people".

Architects shedkm said they hoped that No.20 Orangery Lane becomes a beacon of new placemaking in the area whilst providing much-needed council homes in Greenwich.

Alex Flint, Director at shedkm said they were "very exciting" to be working on this "exemplar" council housing scheme, saying that through extensive consultation they have "crafted a sensitive and delightful new neighbourhood for future residents, focused on sustainability, well-being and generous outside amenity."

Ray Elkins, managing director at A&E Elkins added that they are "looking forward to procuring and constructing this much needed council housing for Greenwich Builds using modern methods of construction.

"Working with Greenwich Builds and our architects shedkm we are looking forward to providing excellently designed, sustainable homes that the people of Eltham will be proud to live in.

"This exciting development will see the masterplan for Eltham Town Centre continue to take shape for generations to come”