DEVELOPERS and local authorities in Wiltshire are being urged to build significantly greener homes and enter a new low-carbon housing' competition.

Launched this week by Regen SW, the south west renewable energy agency, the competition is looking to reward the five biggest and most ambitious new housing schemes.

Winners will receive specialist technical support so that they can plan their developments better, and dramatically reduce their schemes' carbon footprints.

Tony Norton, head of low carbon development at Regen SW, said: "There is now a consensus in the south west that we want to dramatically reduce the carbon footprint of new buildings.

"This competition will give the biggest and best schemes the opportunity to help achieve this, so we're urging local authorities and developers in Wiltshire to enter this competition."

Local authorities and housing developers who want to express an interest in the competition should fill out an application at www.regensw.co.uk/press/docs-index.asp. The closing date for entries is December 21.

In the New Year, a short prospectus for each nominated development will be judged by an independent regional selection panel.