Although originally intending to start with 10 such places, the government recently annouced plans for 4 of these to be built..
They are Rackheath, Norfolk; north-west Bicester, Oxfordshire; Whitehill Bordon, East Hants; and the China Clay Community near St Austell, Cornwall.
tyhey will be totally carbon neutral, and if successful more will spring up with government funding around the country.
The towns would include smart meters to track energy use, community heat sources and charging points for electric cars. Parks, playgrounds and gardens would make up 40% of their area.
Affordable homes would take their energy from the sun, wind and earth, with residents able to sell their surplus energy into the grid.
Their development would be coupled with strict rules on public transport, with all homes located within 10 minutes' walk of bus, train or tram services.
Sounds good? or as some protesters and opposition ministers are saying, just a guimmick?