In the next few weeks, the Government will unveil a short list of potential developments in England, which aim to provide zero-carbon homes as well as businesses and schools.

The Wildlife Trusts believe the Government's shortlist should only include eco-town proposals, which:

• are located sensitively so they don't destroy existing wildlife habitat areas
• are planned to include wildlife-rich areas, such as ponds, as part of sustainable urban drainage schemes (SUDS)*, throughout the development
• are assessed on their true ecological impact, not just carbon footprint
• use the Government's new Community Infrastructure Levy to fund high-quality green infrastructure, such as parks, for wildlife and people.
• ensure the eco-town has access to environmentally-sustainable transport, such as cycle ways and footpaths

Stephanie Hilborne, chief executive for The Wildlife Trusts, said: "The Government's current proposals make a mockery of the term 'eco-town'. What we need to see is the planning system being used to avoid insensitive development and restore and create new wildlife habitats.

"The Wildlife Trusts welcome the idea of eco-towns but, to be truly sustainable, they need to be about much more than simply building zero-carbon homes.

“ We also need to build in the right places. Many of the current proposals will destroy important wildlife sites and fragment our towns and countryside at a time when we should be creating Living Landscapes: areas through which wildlife can move."