English Partnerships, together with the East of England Development Agency (EEDA), the city council and Opportunity Peterborough selected pPod- a consortium consisting of Morris Homes, Gentoo Homes, and Browne Smith Baker architects - for the 7ha site in the centre of the city which will comprise 344 new homes, 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 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.

Energy for the community will be provided by a biomass combined heat and power (CHP) plant. The energy centre, the community centres and open spaces will be managed by a Community Interest Company. Homes will benefit from low water usage through the incorporation of 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.”

The pPod proposal includes creative use of sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS) to give character to new public spaces. This includes wetland swales and more formal water courses. There will be a ‘green-spine’ with orchards and allotments, and canopy walkways along with 650 sq m of retail floor space and 614 sq m of community space. Food production will be encouraged by the inclusion of an edible garden concept and a community café that will sell locally produced goods.

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

South Bank Phase 1 is the second site to be identified for development as part of English Partnerships Carbon Challenge. The first site to be identified was Hanham Hall, a 6.6ha former hospital site in South Gloucestershire which includes a Grade II listed building. Barratt Developments was selected as preferred developer in December 2007 and is now well underway with community consultation. Work is expected to start on site in early 2009. Two other sites have been identified as part of the Carbon Challenge – Bickershaw (South) in Wigan and Brodsworth in Doncaster. These form part of English Partnerships’ National Coalfields Programme as former colliery sites.