Concerns raised over eco-town building process

Wednesday, 31 October 2007 12:00 AM

Concerns have been raised over the viability of the government's plans to build ten new eco-towns in Britain over the next decade.

The plans were unveiled at the Labour party conference by prime minister Gordon Brown in September this year, as part of a twin drive to reduce carbon emissions and ease housing shortages.

But concerns have been raised by the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), which warns the plans will fail unless they are incorporated into established settlements and utilise existing planning procedures.

"As exemplars it will be vital that eco-towns adopt cutting-edge environmental standards, on reducing carbon emissions, water and energy use, and waste, for example," said CPRE policy director, Neil Sinden.

"We welcome any initiative which encourages this. But using citizens' juries is no substitute for consulting local communities on the need for, location and design of eco-towns through the established planning process."

Housing minister Hazel Blears has announced architects will be invited to design the towns, with a citizens' jury selecting a winner.

"I am pleased to announce today a competition for the best architects and designers in the world to develop plans for eco-towns," said Ms Blears.

"Eco-towns with zero carbon offices, zero carbon schools and zero carbon pubs."

This policy, however, could be disastrous according to the CPRE.

The campaign argues it would be a mistake to build towns from scratch, with no knowledge of the site or location. New towns should be within the limits of existing settlements, or adjacent to established towns.

Creating standalone towns would create car dependency says the CPRE.

"The environmental impact of development extends far beyond the footprint of a particular development site," continued Mr Sinden.

"Decisions on eco-towns, as with any major development, need to take account of this wider development 'shadow' and the need to focus development on brownfield sites."

Due process must also be maintained, say the CPRE.

"They also need to be considered through the established planning process, which ensures that evidence is tested, the views of local communities are considered, and full account taken of environmental consequences," concluded Mr Sinden.

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