Plans to create what has been called the UK’s most environmentally-friendly retirement village will be unveiled this week.

The £30 million-plus village with 168 homes, a 40-bed care centre and a well-being centre would be built on the side of the popular Ponder-osa Rare Breeds Farm and visitor centre in Heckmond-wike.

Owner Howard Cook, who also runs a building firm, is behind the development. He said work on the scheme will be ready to start when Kirklees planners approve.

“We have been working very closely with them over the past four years so there are no surprises expected and we have had all the best experts in on every stage,” he said.

“Everyone is excited about this. We have had masses of interest, lots of people have been wanting to talk to us.

“The major investment, of course, was the land which was already ours.”

Children at nearby schools have also been involved in research for the village which will have a ‘code five’ eco-friendly status. The Government wants all new developments to reach a code five by 2012 and to be zero-carbon by 2016.

“We will be the first development to reach a code five so soon in the whole of the country, something we are incredibly proud of,” said Mr Cook.

The village will have cluster of homes set in fields with areas for residents to be self-sufficient and grow their own produce. Some of the homes will have rooftop gardens and for later years when residents need more care they will be able to move into a care centre on their own doorstep.

The care centre will have “living walls” planted with pockets of evergreen plants, and glass-fronted balconies mean residents will be able to enjoy the views.

“All the timber for the buildings will be brought to our workshops here,” said Mr Cook. “We are looking at creating apprenticeships so everything can be done right here.”

The site will have its own energy recycling centre and be run by bio-fuel and solar panels.

Mr Cook, who has been a builder for 25 years and runs the Ponderosa Farm and Therapeutic Centre with his wife Maureen, said the farm – where a new 200-seat rest-aurant has also just opened – will stay open.

e-mail: kathie.griffiths@telegraphandargus.co.uk