The developers of Bedzed, a futuristic and award winning development in Surrey which is the first in Britain to generate all its own energy needs, are in ongoing talks with the Welsh Devlopment Agency to put 1,000 homes on brownfield land at Ely Bridge.

"We are driven by an absolute determination to show that the future is cool, trendy, fun, desirable and something to really look forward to." says Bedzed's architect Bill Dunster. "I've just had enough of negative environmental campaigners telling us the end is nigh".

Rachel Whitehead is building a house of straw bales, the first of its kind in Wales. "I think people are seeing that it's not such a hippy dippy thing to do" she says, "it's common sense".

Alone in Europe, the Assembly has a legal commitment to sustainable development. But its record so far has been dismal, according to the mainly isolated eco-enthusiasts who're building for tomorrow at the moment.

Some Useful Websites

I want to live in a warmer, greener House

If you want advice on how best to reduce your home's energy consumption, go to the Energy Savings Trust website. They have information on how to do it and what grants are available.

The Fuel Poverty scheme give grants of up to £2,700 to make your house warmer - and more miserly in energy use - by fitting new boilers, central heating and new loft insulation. You can find out if you are eligible - and apply direct - by going to the Eaga Partnership which administers the scheme.

If you want to fit renewable techonology to your home - solar panels, solar heating or wind - you find out what grants are available at Clear Skies.

If you want to use sustainable and tradition materials there's The Welsh Centre for Traditional and Ecological Building in Brecon. They've also set up a directory of who provides eco-friendly materials or expertise around Wales, from architects to brickies.

There is also great advice and a wealth of information from the Association for Environmentally Conscious Building based in Llandyssul.

Bedzed, Britain's first zero carbon rated housing develepment, are looking for clusters of interested people around the country and already have several people registered in the Cardiff area. Bioregional, their eco-financiers, are looking for other projects to fund.

In Carmarthenshire, Awel Aman Tawe, is a mine of information on various projects, including a development of 14 bungalows powered by biomass and a community windfarm.

To Gwyrdd (Green Roof) is trying to get a sustainable estate, which is also affordable for local people, off the ground in Newport, Pembrokeshire.

If you run a business and want to waste less energy you should contact the Carbon Trust and if you want accreditation for being green there's a charity, the National Energy Foundation does just that.

Try mailing the minister for Sustainable Development direct at Carwyn.Jones@wales.gov.uk

The Welsh Assembly have a page on Sustainability, although when we checked the link to housing was broken.

Both Rachel Whitehead and Tony Wrench.

Please note the BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites.