THESE are the first images of Northern Ireland's greenest social housing scheme.

Earlier this week Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie cut the first sod on the £6 million eco-friendly development - the first of its kind here.

Residents of the planned development in Co Down will be able to relax in green roof gardens and will be able to avail of cycle parking and storage. The apartments will be built using modern construction methods, with Structural Insulated Panels keeping heat loss to a minimum, while solar photovoltaic panels will power lighting in communal areas. The first residents are expected to take possession in summer 2010.

Forty two-bedroom apartments are to be piloted at Donaghadee Road in Newtownards by Connswater Homes and Sky Developments in the first social housing scheme to meet Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes.

Many of the innovative energy saving measures used by Sky Developments to build Northern Ireland's first Carbon Neutral House in Holywood will come into play in the planned scheme.

Since April last year, all new social housing has been designed to Level 3 of the Code for Sustainable Homes - at that level, carbon dioxide emissions are reduced by 25%, while Level 4 reduces them by another 19%.

The Code requires all new social housing to offer a reduced environmental impact, lower running costs and features that enhance health and well being.

"I am delighted to see construction of this new scheme underway. The delivery of high quality energy efficient and sustainable social housing is a key priority for my Department. Connswater Homes and Sky Developments are to be congratulated for planning such an innovative, flagship development," Ms Ritchie said.

The 40 unit housing scheme will cost around £6 million, including land, construction and associated costs. Of this, £4.5 million will be funded by the Department for Social Development with Connswater Homes contributing the balance.

"Residents can look forward to moving into these state of the art homes in summer 2010," the minister said.

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