Bickershaw Colliery named as northern eco-homes pilot

A former coalfield site in Bickershaw, Wigan, has been selected as one of two sites in the north of England to pioneer zero carbon homes as part of the Government's response to climate change.

Under English Partnerships' Carbon Challenge, Bickershaw Colliery will see around 650 new homes built to the highest standards of environmentally friendly development – the Code for Sustainable Homes Level 6.

The zero carbon community will be the first of its kind in the north of England and will complement existing plans for an 18-hole golf course, pitch and putt, driving range, activity centre and parkland at the site.

Bickershaw Colliery is part of English Partnerships' National Coalfields Programme, and is owned by the North West Development Agency. The other north of England site in the Carbon Challenge is Brodsworth Colliery in Doncaster.

Expressions of interest in both sites will be invited from developers via European tender in early 2008.

The Carbon Challenge is intended to accelerate the housebuilding industry's response to climate change by fast-tracking the creation of zero carbon homes and communities, providing an opportunity for housebuilders to gain experience of building to the highest level of the Government's Code for Sustainable Homes.