Thames Gateway

Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly has announced she wants the Thames Gateway housing development to eventually emit no carbon dioxide.
She said her vision is for a project which sets new environmental standards for the rest of the country.

She also revealed a number of green schemes which are to be incorporated into the project.

The Thames Gateway is a regeneration project stretching 40 miles from east London into north Kent and Essex.

The project aims to create 160,000 new homes and 180,000 new jobs along the Thames Estuary by 2016, through encouraging business investment and improving education and healthcare.

Renewable energy

Environmentalists have raised concerns the pressure to build new homes is leading to badly thought-out housing projects which will damage the environment and wildlife.

Among the green initiatives Ms Kelly announced are a housing scheme incorporating renewable energy and designated open spaces for recreation and wildlife.

However, some in the housing industry have questioned whether the government's aim is realistic.

Companies already building sustainable housing elsewhere say the government's plans lack ambition.

Experts also say that if the government really wants to improve the housing stock the industry needs tougher building regulations.