New small zero carbon 'eco-towns' built on brownfield land could lead the way in cutting carbon emissions and building affordable homes, the government has said.

And now housing minister Yvette Cooper has announced that the Department for Communities and Local Government would consider plans for eco-towns put forward by local authorities as part of its New Growth Points scheme.

Forty-five councils have already come forward with plans for new homes and jobs to respond to serious housing pressures in their areas, and some authorities are also looking at plans for 'new settlements'. Ministers will now consider these plans within the Growth Points scheme, insisting on proposals for zero- or low carbon developments which make the best use of brownfield land.

New eco-towns, of between 5,000 - 10, 000 homes, would have strong public transport links to nearby towns and cities, said the DCLG. They would make the best use of brownfield land and could be built on public sector surplus land such as former MoD or NHS sites.

Ministers believe these new developments could help drive the environmental technologies needed to ensure all new homes are zero carbon within a decade, as set out in last December's zero carbon timetable.

Announcing the £2m funding to develop plans for the eco-towns, Yvette Cooper also announced the appointment of Professor David Lock, Chair of the Town and Country Planning Association, to report to government on further developing the criteria for eco-towns.

Yvette Cooper said: "We desperately need more homes - and we desperately need to cut carbon emissions to tackle climate change. New eco-towns could build low carbon design into the fabric of the community, not just into individual houses.”

“Now is the time for us to look at new eco-towns, put forward by local councils. They could use public transport and new green designs to deliver low cost and low carbon homes for the future, making good use of brownfield land."