Zero carbon neighbourhood will have allotments and orchards

Alison Patel writes: A zero carbon neighbourhood took a step closer to reality as a consortium of architects was chosen as the developers of the first phase of the project.

The Peterborough development has been planned between English Partnerships which is a national regeneration agency and the East of England Development Agency (EEDA), newbuilder.co.uk reported.

All homes in the neighbourhood will be zero carbon and they will benefit from low water usage. The project will make use of rain water harvesting and grey water recycling.

Commenting on the project, Steve Carr, director of policy at English Partnerships, said: "The Peterborough pPod homes not only respond to climate change, they will also be more spacious and have lower energy bills."

Under plans for the scheme, sustainable urban drainage systems will be transformed to "give character" to new public places.

The plan is to turn them into wetland swales and more formal water courses. There will also be a number of orchards and allotments, and canopy walkways.

Inhabitants will be encouraged to eat food from their gardens as the developers have included what the website describes as an "edible garden concept" and a cafe that will sell vegetables grown locally.

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