Barratt Developments and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) have been given the green light to build England's first large-scale development of 195-house zero-carbon scheme, which is part of the Hanham Hall eco-village in south Gloucestershire.

The development, which is part of the government's Carbon Challenge programme, has been designed by HTA Architects. The new homes will be constructed with very high insulation standards to conserve energy and will make use of recycling materials from the existing buildings on the site.

Robert Napier, chairman of the Homes and Communities Agency, said: “As one of the HCA's flagship schemes, this is about testing the highest level of the Code for Sustainable Homes and looking at innovative ways to achieve true sustainability.

Work on site is due to start by the end of the year and the first homes are planned to be completed by 2010.