The development of an innovative, zero carbon neighbourhood in the centre of Peterborough has moved a step closer today after pPod - a consortium consisting of Morris Homes, Gentoo Homes, and Browne Smith Baker architects - was selected as the preferred developer for Phase 1 of the city’s South Bank.

English Partnerships, together with the East of England Development Agency (EEDA), Peterborough City Council and Opportunity Peterborough have selected pPod for the 7ha site in the centre of the city which will comprise 344 new homes, 35 per cent of which will be affordable, plus open spaces and a commercial element.

South Bank Phase 1 is located to the south of Peterborough city centre and adjacent to Peterborough United Football Club. The site is approximately 1.5km from the city centre and mainline railway station.

The project will meet the highest level of the government’s Code for Sustainable Homes, as part of English Partnerships’ ground-breaking Carbon Challenge.

The Carbon Challenge is run by English Partnerships on behalf of Communities and Local Government to accelerate the house-building industry’s response to climate change by fast-tracking the creation of several zero carbon housing developments.

Homes will be zero carbon, meeting Level 6 of the Government’s Code for Sustainable Homes, years ahead of the 2016 target for when all homes will have to be built to this standard while all commercial units will be built to BREEAM Excellent standard – one of the highest levels of energy efficiency and environmental performance.

Homes will benefit from low water usage through incorporating rain water harvesting and grey water recycling.

Steve Carr, director of policy at English Partnerships, who is leading the Carbon Challenge initiative for the Government, said: “The Peterborough pPod homes not only respond to climate change, they will also be more spacious and have lower energy bills This isn’t just about eco-living – it is about making new housing schemes a much better deal for owners and tenants by creating comfortable and cost-efficient homes for a range of incomes.”

A planning application will be made in early 2009 with work due to start on site later in the year.