New standards for eco-towns
Eco-town developments must consider energy use from buildings and public spaces from across the town as well as private homes, according to new guidance.
The Town and Country Planning Association has published guidance on energy efficiency for eco-towns which takes government guidance on zero-carbon for new homes further for the new developments.
The guidance, Developing energy efficient and zero carbon strategies for eco-towns, argues that only eco-town proposals which can meet the highest standards should receive the go-ahead. It is sponsored by the Communities and Local Government department.
Kate Henderson, TCPA Energy Policy Manager, said: ‘Climate change demands a fundamental re-think about the ways in which we plan for out communities – not simply by adding eco-bling onto individual houses and buildings.
‘Planning must become ‘carbon aware’, developing an understanding throughout the planning and design process of the relationship between development decisions, energy use and carbon emissions.’
Gideon Amos, TCPA chief executive, said: ‘Eco-town masterplans, building designs and their zero carbon strategies will need to offer an integrated solution to multiple challenges, including designing for reduced energy demand and for comfort and climate change adaptability; flexibility to integrate future low carbon techniques and technologies; and avoidance of spending on redundant ‘future-proofing’.’
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