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The government is considering building a 100-home pilot scheme at one of the proposed eco-town sites, in an attempt to rescue the troubled programme.

The idea is one of a number being discussed at a senior level in the communities department, which has been charged with implementing Gordon Brown鈥檚 2007 pledge to build 10 eco-towns.

A source close to the situation said: 鈥淭he idea is to get something on site in a reasonably quick time, before the overall planning permission for the new settlement is agreed.鈥�

However, critics of the programme are saying the plan has little to do with the original concept of building up to 200,000 self-contained settlements of at least 5,000 homes with their own employment, energy and transport infrastructure.

A source involved in the process said: 鈥淚f this happens, it will be little more than a gesture 鈥� and it won鈥檛 be self-sustaining. How much money has been spent on this process? If the end result is 100 homes it鈥檒l be a waste.鈥�

The most likely candidate for the demonstration project is thought to be the Whitehill Bordon eco-town in Hampshire, in part because it adjoins an existing settlement. It is also thought that Rackheath in Norwich is a candidate.

The eco-towns have been hit by local opposition and the housing downturn, with a number of developers dropping out.

Last week, the government said six of the 11 schemes had viability problems. Sources said the final decision over which areas would get eco-towns is not now expected until June or July. Also, responsibility for the programme may pass to the Homes and Communities Agency.

The communities department declined to comment.