Green guidelines have been adopted to help builders in Colchester do their bit to save the planet.

Through Colchester Council's advice on sustainable construction, developers will be encouraged to put up buildings that are energy and water efficient, have built-in recycling and composting facilities and promote walking, cycling and public transport use.

Architects will be encouraged to design houses, shops, factories and offices that have natural lighting and ventilation and use renewable energy sources, like solar panels and wind turbines.

The approach was adopted at a meeting last night of the local development framework committee.

Chairman John Jowers (Con, West Mersea) said the guidelines set "standards we feel that people achieve" and help to "weed out cowboys".