Details were unveiled today of a new international challenge for house builders to help create zero-carbon and low-carbon communities.

Ruth Kelly, communities secretary, launched the scheme, which will be run by English Partnerships. Developers will be called upon to help create these flagship communities though a number of methods.

They will be expected to raise standards of design, construction, energy and water use with the aim of using such techniques as a benchmark for future projects.

Ruth Kelly said: “We must cut carbon emissions to tackle climate change - and housing has a major role to play.

“While there are lots of carbon saving measures which can be used in individual homes, designing a whole community gives developers scope to make use of schemes like district heating and combined heat and power plants,” she added.

The first two sites scheduled to be built under the new guidelines are at Hanham Hall just outside Bristol, and Glebe Road in Peterborough.

The scheme will also benefit due to the chancellor’s recent announcement that in future most new zero carbon homes will be exempt from stamp duty.

It was recently announced by the government that all homes will have to be carbon-zero by the year 2016.

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