FMB joins condemnation of eco-towns

Friday, 23 May 2008 12:00 AM

The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has condemned the government's eco-town proposals, suggesting the plans could result in "more carbon emissions".

In one of his first acts as prime minister, Gordon Brown announced the government was to build five new eco-towns in England and Wales, a number that has since been doubled to ten.

The plans are part of a scheme to build two million new homes by 2016, with a further one million, carbon neutral, homes by 2020.

However, the FMB argues the proposals are unworkable.

"Given that demand for housing is right across the UK it makes more sense for every village, town and city to have new housing rather than creating brand new settlements," said Brian Berry, director of external affairs at the FMB.

"How green are these new towns are going to be in transport terms? The sad truth is that any new eco-town can only be another car-based satellite suburb.

"Even with car clubs, cycle lanes and a top-notch bus service, these places are going to be packed out with new roads and, as we all know, new roads lead to more car use - and more carbon emissions."

The views of the FMB echo those of Lord Rogers, a noted architect and designer of the Millennium Dome and Heathrow Terminal 5.

Speaking at a New London Architecture conference on density earlier this week, Lord Rogers said: "I think eco-towns are one of the biggest mistakes this government could make.

"Building in green areas for 5,000 to 10,000 people has to be car-based; it will not be a walking, living community. It goes against everything we know about sustainability."

The 15 potential sites for the new towns were recently announced by the government.

In response the FMB argues a number of smaller settlements should be created.

"A far better model for this scheme would be a patchwork of hundreds of smaller eco-projects, with contracts awarded by local regions and communities for both new homes (in existing towns, near existing transport links) and refurbishment of old buildings, with green measures spread around a range of proven technologies," concluded Mr Berry.

"Now that really would be a revolution in turning Britain into a greener more sustainable place to live!"

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