Delighted to read that the One Brighton development in New England Street has won a national prize for sustainability. When I visited last year I was incredibly impressed. With heating and hot water provided by a biomass boiler, electricity from a solar panel, mini roof allotments and composting on-site, it is an innovative and impressive building. No parking is provided and residents cannot apply for parking permits, making these perfect homes for those trying to cut their carbon footprints.

Car free developments were scrapped by the Council when the Conservatives came into power locally in 2007 - strange (but not surprising!) for a party that claims to be serious about tackling climate change and reducing emissions - but luckily the idea was reintroduced by Green councillors working with Labour and the LibDems locally.

And a good thing, too - seeing just how well One Brighton is doing is extremely encouraging.