A Chinese delegation have visited a sustainable community voted one of the most important green buildings in the world.

The visitors from the Yanqing County People’s Government of Beijing Municipality were shown around Beddington Zero Energy Development, or BedZed.

The building, which is the largest example of a sustainable community in the UK, was voted it among the five most important green buildings constructed since 1980 by Architect magazine.

The delegation came to hear about One Planet Sutton – the initiative to promote more sustainable lifestyles in the borough.

Councilor Colin Hall, executive member for environment and climate change, said: “Sutton was the first region to sign up to the One Planet programme, which aims to encourage and help residents, businesses and the council itself to live and work within their fair share of the earth’s resources.

“If other areas copy our example it has to be good news for the planet.”