Four eco-towns given the green light
The government has given the go ahead to four environmentally friendly eco-towns, having whittled down a list of 12.
The successful proposals are for towns at Rackheath in Norfolk, Bordon-Whitehill in Hampshire, North West Bicester in Oxfordshire, and St Austell in Cornwall.
The government wants the towns to meet tough environmental standards, and showcase the latest green technologies (see box, below).
Its original aim was to get five towns built by 2016, and 10 by 2020, but the programme has struggled, facing legal challenges from local opposition groups, and problems attracting support from the private sector.
‘If Britain is going to be successful and safe from climate change in the future, we have to change the way we live now’
Housing minister John Healey
At one stage the government had a shortlist of 15 sites, but this was cut down as developers pulled out, and concerns were raised.
An appraisal of the proposed eco-towns published last year found just one site – Rackheath – was ‘generally suitable’ for the development. The assessment found the other three sites that have been given the go ahead ‘might be’ suitable.
The government now intends to get the four proposals it has approved built by 2016, with 10,000 homes for around 30,000 people. At least 30 per cent of the homes will be affordable housing.
The four will be able to bid for a share of £60 million over two years to fund infrastructure. A further £5 million pot is being made available for work on proposals for the next wave of towns, with the aim to build six more by 2020.
A statement from the Communities and Local Government department mentions Rossington near Doncaster and North East Elsenham in Essex as sites that might draw on funding for the next round of the programme.
The four schemes that have been given the go ahead are all led or supported by their local authorities.
Housing minister John Healey said: ‘If Britain is going to be successful and safe from climate change in the future, we have to change the way we live now.
‘More than a quarter of CO2 emissions come from houses, so we are not only making improvements now, we are establishing pioneering places that in 10 years’ time will set the standard for every new town and community.’
The Liberal Democrats said the news that only four eco-towns are going ahead shows prime minister Gordon Brown is ‘running at full-tilt away from a flagship policy’.
Housing spokeswoman Sarah Teather said: ‘Local areas should be given the power to plan and build the homes they need, and every new home should be built to meet the highest environmental standards.
‘It is with sensible, environmentally sensitive local planning that Britain will get much-needed new homes, not by wasting time on badly thought out policies that fail to deliver.’
Read blogger Jules Birch’s assessment of the plans
Eco-town features
The government says eco-towns will include:
- the toughest standards for sustainability, with smart meters to track energy use, community heat sources and charging points for electric cars
- smart, efficient, affordable homes taking their energy from the sun, wind and earth. Residents will be able to control the heat and ventilation of their homes at the touch of a button; and sell their surplus energy into the grid
- all homes located within ten minutes’ walk of frequent public transport and everyday neighbourhood services
- parks, playgrounds and gardens that will make up 40 per cent - two fifths - of the towns. Children will attend local zero carbon schools, making use of the paths and cycle ways
- zero carbon buildings including shops, restaurants and public buildings. Car journeys will make up less than half of all journeys. And all the homes will reach at least level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes - including standards for energy efficiency, recycling, water efficiency and reduced pollution - saving a typical home £200-500 a year in energy bills.
The successful proposals
Rackheath
The development of around 6,000 homes to the north east of Norwich should include at least 1,800 affordable units. Rackheath was put forward as an alternative site, after a nearby proposal for former airbase RAF Coltishall was dropped.
Bordon-Whitehill
Could see around 5,500 homes built on Ministry of Defence Land in Hampshire, including around 2,000 affordable homes.
North West Bicester
Put forward as an alternative to a nearby site at Weston Otmoor, in Oxfordshire. The proposal if for around 5,000 homes, 1,500 of which would be affordable.
St Austell
The proposal is for 5,000 homes, including 1,500 affordable units, on former china clay workings around St Austell, in Cornwall. Site owner Imerys no longer needs the land.
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Readers' comments (4)
Jim Paton | 16/07/2009 1:57 pm
Housing minister John Healey said: ‘If Britain is going to be successful and safe from climate change in the future, we have to change the way we live now.
Typical politician's sound bite. Only true if "we" includes the whole world, including China, Russia, India, Brazil etc. In this respect, Britain is NOT a island and this sort of parochialism is misleading.
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Harry Lime | 16/07/2009 3:56 pm
Are you American Jim? That's almost George Bush rationale for not trying to accept the eco agenda. Whilst your point is valid, if everyone points the finger at the likes of China and others and says that there's no point, it'll become a self fulfilling prophecy. As a country we do need the houses, the fact that they might not be needed immediately in these areas shouldn't be considered too high a factor either. Most New towns took time to bed in, these would be no dofferent, at least thought is being given at their inception about eco factors and sustainability.
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Disco | 16/07/2009 4:51 pm
Every little helps..but new housebuilding is a non event in the current economy, the money would be better spent on the millions of poorly performing ancient homes that make up most of the UK. Who will buy these expensive eco homes, that seem to ignore market requirements like parking on large family houses. Certainly towns like Bordon will not be sustainable -5500 new homes and every one of them will be commuting to work by car-a world run by idiots more interested in the headline of the press release than the reality.
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beau | 16/07/2009 7:11 pm
Duh - This is just dumb.
As a vehicle for regeneration it's good, but how eco will it really be?
Code 4 sustainable level on an eco-town, but not code 6 which will come into effect in a few years.
WHY?
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