"Eco-towns" - green housing or greenhouse gases?1 February 2008
Many of the proposed Ecotowns are in open countryside
The Government is planning to build up-to 200,000 new houses in the form of so-called eco-towns.
Eco-towns in brief
The Government claim that these eco-towns will:
- Be distinct communities well linked to existing towns
- Achieve zero-carbon standards
- Provide up to half the homes as affordable housing
But some of these eco-towns:
- Will bring more road traffic to congested areas.
- Will give developers a way of bypassing local decision makers.
- Could add to pressure on key wildlife sites
Some eco towns will help mainstream environmental design, building and planning of communities.
At the same time as the Government is proposing eco-towns, it is removing people's say in the shape of their local community.
Planning reforms are being pushed through that will impose developments on communities whether they want them or not.
Friends of the Earth says:
- We need affordable, low carbon homes.
- These should have good public transport links and access to jobs and services.
- People should keep their right to have their say on local developments.
Resources
Ecotowns - Sustainable solution or too good to be true?
(PDF† - 103K) March 2008
Planning Bill
(PDF† - 103K) December 2007
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