TRAFFORD Green Party has challenged Trafford Council to adopt a scheme which could drop household heating bills below £100 a year.

The party has urged that council land should meet the Passivhaus standard in order for Trafford to become a leader in creating low-energy affordable homes.

The system is in operation in places such as Norwich but is more regular on the continent and the party want all council owned land to have the standard and as a condition of sale.

Altrincham campaigner Dan Jerrome said: “Adopting the Passivhaus standard would make Trafford a pioneering council that is driving progress in meeting climate change targets.”

The Passivhaus standard is an internationally recognised standard promoted in the UK by the Passivhaus Trust.

At a public meeting entitled ‘Homes for the Future’ Cllr Andrew Cooper, the Green Party National Energy Spokesman gave an overview of the achievements that Passivhaus has achieved.

A Trafford Council statement replied by stating that it remains committed to sustainable development and reducing CO2 emissions.

It also states that it remains dedicated to its plan of more affordable local homes and encouraging growth of residential development.

The council lists the success of its objectives as being evident in the development of a new extra care housing scheme, community hub and health facilities on Shrewsbury Street, Old Trafford.

This message from the Green Party came after the government scrapped its commitment to introduce Zero Carbon Homes Standard in 2016 which Mr Jerrome believes makes it more urgent to promote Passivhaus.