Housing minister Yvette Cooper has set aside £2 million for the development of ‘eco-towns’, which will be complete with efficient, non-polluting structures and strong transport links.

Forty-five councils nationwide with housing constraints have applied for government subsidies via the New Growth Points scheme, having submitted plans for new low carbon or zero carbon settlements that make use of brownfield land, as the remit dictates.

Communities and Local Government believes plans for eco-towns can meet the dual demands for new housing and greener living. It is hoped the new communities will help to establish and trial technology needed to hit targets set in December’s zero carbon timetable.

Each one will have between 5,000 and 10,000 homes, with well-planned transport connections to neighbouring towns, villages and cities.

“We desperately need more homes - and we desperately need to cut carbon emissions to tackle climate change,” said Ms Cooper. “New eco-towns could build low carbon design into the fabric of the community, not just into individual houses.

“We have already made substantial progress, with the new timetable for zero carbon development and proposals for places like Northstowe,” she continued.

The housing minister has also announced the appointment of Town and Country Planning Association professor David Lock as the man who will help establish the criteria for a British eco-town.