This is the first step in the competition process that will end in spring 2008 with the appointment of a preferred developer for the site.

Expressions of interest will be given in the form of a Pre-Qualifying Questionnaire (PQQ), published alongside a Memorandum of Information. This gives site specific details, designed to establish organisational capacity to meet the requirements of the Carbon Challenge by reducing carbon emissions and incorporating features to reduce water usage and energy consumption, as well as minimise waste.

South Bank Phase 1 - a 7 ha area of brownfield land, owned by the three public sector bodies - has been identified as the second site in the country to be suitable for development under English Partnerships’ Carbon Challenge, after a 150-home site in Bristol. 

The site is part of the regeneration of the South Bank of the River Nene in Peterborough which in turn is part of an overall billion-pound transformation of the city being led by urban regeneration company Opportunity Peterborough.

The Challenge is an opportunity for developers to gain experience of building to the highest level of the government's Code for Sustainable Homes, well before this zero carbon standard becomes mandatory in 2016. It calls on developers to demonstrate that zero carbon homes, combined with cutting edge building design and technology, are economically viable on a commercial scale. 

Jayne Lomas, English Partnerships' Carbon Challenge manager said: "To date, only single prototype homes have been built to these standards.   No major housing schemes in this country have been able to achieve anything near the performance required in the Carbon Challenge competition.  For all those who want to get ahead of the game, this site is a golden opportunity to gain experience and a competitive edge."

Around six developers are expected to be short listed who will then be invited to submit a more substantive bid in response to a detailed design brief for the site.