The government-backed guidance says that councils should refuse planning permission for homes that do not meet the standards set out in the pact.

If it is accepted by all parties involved with the regeneration, new homes in the gateway will have to meet Building for Life, Code for Sustainable Homes, Breeam "very good", and Lifetime Homes standards.

All schemes receiving funding would also be required to produce “good quality” design and development briefs and planning permission for any scheme that did not meet the standards of the pact would be denied.

CABE Chief executive Richard Simmons explains: “Government backing, and a commitment by all those signing it, will make this pact the strongest set of design standards yet for regeneration on this scale.”

As government-endorsed guidance, local authorities would be able to use the design pact as a material consideration when making decisions on planning applications. This will put them in a stronger position to reject poorly designed proposals and to insist on high-quality design.

The design pact will be launched in November, when CABE and CLG (Communities and Local Government) will call all those delivering the Thames Gateway - from central government, regional developments agencies and local authorities to private developers and registered social landlords - to sign the pact and make a commitment to implement its recommendations by 2010.

The design pact has been drafted with expert guidance from a technical panel that includes Design for London, East Thames Group, English Partnerships, Essex County Council, Housing Corporation, London Thames Gateway Development Corporation, Southend on Sea Borough Council and Urban Design London.