Scheme could include early development of homes in Crag Road, Windhill, Shipley

But that will only be if the Government provides the cash and Bradford Council secures a deal with interested parties for the wasteland between the city centre and Shipley.

The first eco-settlement is a ‘trailblazer’ scheme planned for the Aire Valley in Leeds, which will see up to 15,000 new homes built, 7,000 refurbished with sustainable materials, and create 27,000 jobs.

A brownfield site on the former British Sugar plant site in York, may also be built by 2011.

Work could start in the next three months under an agreement reached by council leaders, including Bradford Council’s leader Kris Hopkins, and Government officials, in return for an eco town not being forced upon the region.

The Bradford scheme could include the early development of 500 homes in the Crag Road area of Windhill.

But it is not likely to start for one or two years, said Councillor Adrian Naylor, Bradford Council’s executive member for regeneration.

He said: “We are looking at a slightly longer-term project and we have a slightly more complicated offering, it is not just about completing housing.

“We are looking to finalise the land assembly by working with our partners.

“The next step is to make sure we have the relevant planning in place.”

Each of the four areas – Bradford, Leeds, York and another scheme in Dewsbury – will use green technology to reduce carbon emissions.

Solar panels and wind turbines will be used for new-build homes under the plans to make Yorkshire one of the UK’s greenest regions.

Existing homes in the eco settlements will be ‘retro-fitted’ with energy-efficient measures.

The schemes, however, are dependent on the Government quango, the Homes and Communities Association, delivering Kickstart funding.

Yorkshire is set to receive £83 million through the association programme, designed to fund housing schemes that have stalled during the recession, enough to build 2,088 homes.

e-mail: marc.meneaud@telegraphandargus.co.uk.