AN OXFORDSHIRE housing developer has become the first in the UK to sign up to build eco homes endorsed by the Prince of Wales.

Dorchester Group has teamed up with The Prince’s Foundation and Ideal Home Show owner Media 10 to build sustainable homes at the former US Air Force base at Upper Heyford, near Bicester.

The site will become the first place in the UK where people can live in a house endorsed by Prince Charles, and properties could rival the North West Bicester eco town project where 5,000 eco homes are due to be built over the next 20 years.

Homes will be a mixture of sizes and styles, will use locally-sourced materials and will have to be built to a “code 6” eco standard.

It is hoped work will start next year, if detailed planning permission is approved, but the number of homes to be built has yet to be decided.

A show house, the Prince’s House, – unveiled at last year’s Ideal Home Show – will be brought to the Heyford Park site for people to view.

Prince’s Foundation chief executive Hank Dittmar said: “When we exhibited the Prince’s House at last year’s Ideal Home Show, the public response was incredibly positive.

“Many people asked where they could buy one and so we began to look for partners to meet this demand.

“This new licensing approach with the Dorchester Group means that we offer these houses to the public, and offer families the opportunity to live in a Prince’s House that is not only green, but comfortable and beautiful.

“We are confident that further licenses will be signed, bringing the Prince’s House to neighbourhoods throughout the UK.”

Paul Silver, executive director of the Dorchester Group, said it was committed to providing a diverse range of sustainable, affordable and ecologically sensitive homes at Heyford Park.

He said: “This vision has been central to Dorchester’s approach to the site from day one and our work with the Foundation complements our plans for refurbishing existing properties, delivering community facilities and creating a new school.

“The exact styles will be subject to the overall assessment of characterisation at Heyford and, of course, to a successful planning application.”

In January 2010 the former base was finally given permission to be redeveloped after 11 years of wrangling between its former owner North Oxfordshire Consortium and Cherwell District Council.

Plans for the 1,231-acre site include 1,075 homes, which includes retaining 313 houses and bungalows, a pub and restaurant, retail units, open space, and a free school.

Plans for the first stage of the North West Bicester eco town were approved last year and include 394 homes, shops and offices.