Eco-towns given £60m to build show homes
The first wave of eco-towns will receive £60 million to build ‘eco-show homes’ to encourage greener living.
The funding, announced today by housing minister John Healey, will build 600 homes in the four eco-town sites in Whitehill-Bordon in Hampshire, St Austell in Cornwall, Rackheath in Norfolk and North-West Bicester in Oxfordshire.
The homes will showcase low carbon technology such as smart meters, electric car charging points and rainwater harvesting and composting systems. They must also reach level four of the Code for Sustainable Homes. Most will be available to buy.
Today’s cash will also improve existing transport links, encourage renewable energy projects and low-carbon schools.
Mr Healey said: ‘This is the start of the country’s biggest ever eco-home building programme. As a first step, 600 will be built in these four areas – most will be for sale but some will be permanent eco-show homes. By 2016 there will be 10,000 new eco homes in these four pioneering areas.
‘This means people will be able to experience green living for themselves, and see how it can change their lives and save money.’
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