PEMBROKESHIRE Coast National Park Authority has given the green light to a sustainable housing project in the north of the county.

Members sitting on the planning committee unanimously approved Ty Solar’s proposals for six homes at Glanrhyd at their meeting on Wednesday, June 18.

Panel members spoke of the high quality of the development which would provide two and three bedroom homes for people living in the local area. Residents would benefit from free solar-powered electricity, Super BT Broadband and car sharing a subsidised electric car.

The prototype at Rhosygilwen was inaugurated by the First Minister Carwyn Jones last year.

The units will be manufactured at Brynawelon Farm near Llantood, creating 10 jobs this year with opportunities for apprentices wanting to take on a career in carpentry.

The company behind the development is Pembrokeshire-based Western Solar, which has generated interest from as far afield as the Hebrides, the Midlands and parts of London where authorities are struggling with the cost of providing social housing and energy poverty.

Western Solar’s CEO Dr Glen Peters said that they will be concentrating their efforts for the next year at Glanrhyd.

“This approval at Glanrhyd has been a huge boost to the workforce and our suppliers and we’re very excited by the interest coming in from around the UK."

He added: “But our initial focus is on getting this first development done before we look elsewhere.”

Site work is due to begin later this year and completion is due early in 2015.