WE are writing to you on behalf of 12 housing associations in the south east, who together provide over 130,000 homes across the region, to highlight our concerns about the environmental damage set to be caused by a loophole in new building regulations.

From April 1, housing associations like ours have been obliged to cut carbon emissions in all new homes by 25 per cent in line with Government targets. We will then be making further cuts in emissions until we achieve zero-carbon housing. We welcome the challenge, which will not only benefit the environment but will also reduce the fuel bills of our residents. The south east currently emits over 20 million tonnes of domestic carbon emissions every year and the region has 187,000 households officially living in "fuel poverty''. It is very concerning to us, however, that the private developers who build around three-quarters of new houses have until 2010 before they have to start cutting carbon emissions. They will then be allowed to work to a slower timetable than us as we move towards zero-carbon housing. This is not only unfair, but will also lead to millions of tonnes of unnecessary carbon emissions and keep the green technology industry on hold for another two years.

The National Housing Federation, which represents 1,300 housing associations across the country, will be presenting a petition to the housing minister Caroline Flint asking her to commit private developers to the same environmental standards and timetable as the affordable housing sector. If Daily Echo readers agree with us, we ask them to please add their names to the petition at housing.org. uk/greenhomes.

l Housing associations supporting the campaign in the South East: Brighton Housing Trust, Affinity Sutton, Home Group, Broomleigh Housing, Downland Housing, William Sutton, First Wessex Housing, Medina Housing, Signpost HA, Spectrum, Estuary Housing, Midsummer.