The 4.61 acre site at Officer's Field, adjoining Victoria Square, will be redeveloped to include 55 new eco-homes complete with the latest environmentally friendly technology.

Developers will now work on plans for approval (including planning) with the aim of delivering the whole scheme by 2011. The project will be constructed to the highest sustainable standards and aims to generate at least fifty per cent of its energy from renewable sources, buildings will be super-insulated with provision for solar thermal insulation and a combined district heat and power scheme will be installed using a biomass boiler.

Eco-Interiors will fit-out the internal elements of the homes and other innovative 'green' features will include the provision of two electric cars available for residents to use on a pooled basis to discourage second-car usage.

Bruce Voss, head of regeneration at the South West RDA in Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset said: "We were wholly impressed by the submission by Zero C in this scheme and their appointment will assist the aim in securing a low-carbon development by 2011 at Osprey Quay. The RDA is committed to making all its investments net zero-carbon by 2013 and this is also a very important step in the wider development of a low-carbon economy in the South West."

HTA Architects will design the scheme - they have previously worked on the Zero Carbon Challenge site at Hanham Hall in Bristol.