Flint challenges developers on eco-towns

Monday, 19 May 2008 12:00 AM

Housing minister Caroline Flint has challenged property developers to produce improved plans for the proposed eco-town developments.

Up to ten of the zero carbon communities are to be build by 2020 - the first new towns in the UK for 40 years.

Some 15 potential locations were outlined by Ms Flint earlier in the year, with the process ongoing to select the final sites.

As part of this process the Department for Communities and Local Government today announced a panel of experts would be employed to vet the applications.

The panel of leading figures from the worlds of design, the environment, transport and sustainability, was selected to provide expert advice and support to bidders and inject new thinking on how eco-towns could be best delivered in each of the 15 short listed locations.

"Only the best bids with the highest environmental standards stand a chance of being selected as an eco-town," said Ms Flint.

"The panel will have a vital role in encouraging and inspiring developers to aim as high as possible in each potential location.

"There are no done deals and I expect bidders to raise their game by taking on board the expert advice available to them, to make the most of this unique opportunity to deliver the affordable, greener homes our first time buyers and young families desperately need."

The panel will address issues such as ensuring house designs are sensitive to local surroundings and create homes people want to live in, using the site's natural resources efficiently.

The aim is to create a vibrant and healthy community for people of all ages, along with encouraging more journeys on foot, bicycle and public transport, ensuring the development makes the best use of new technologies, and improving the potential of the area to create jobs and spark an entrepreneurial spirit.

Chris O'Toole

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