TCPA welcomes government backing to get pioneering eco-town pilots off the ground

Leading housing and planning charity, the Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA), has today welcomed the announcement by the Housing Minister, John Healey MP, to share £60 million between the first four eco-town locations to build over 600 new homes including state-of-the-art "eco-show homes", as well as community, transport and green infrastructure projects[2].

TCPA Interim Chief Executive, Kate Henderson said: “The announcement today is an important step towards realising the ambitions set out by the eco-town programme, the toughest ever sustainability standards for new development.”

“This first phase of new homes, including state-of the-art 'eco-show homes', will provide real life examples of green living that are open to the public, providing a vital role in giving local residents first hand experience of low carbon living. This is an opportunity to show how eco-towns can meet the needs and aspirations of ordinary people seeking a decent home in a good environment. These pilots will need to appeal to all as much for their utility, location and setting as for their green credentials.”

The TCPA has set up an Eco-Development Group, which is led by the four eco-town local authorities to help develop their proposals and encourage a sharing of knowledge and best practice between the different sites. The four councils bringing forward pioneering eco-towns are East Hampshire District Council, Cherwell District Council, Broadland District Council and Cornwall Council. While these authorities will steer the Eco-Development Group, membership of the Group will be extended soon to other authorities playing a leading role in bringing forward significant sized eco-developments in their areas.

The TCPA recently published the eleventh and final eco-town Worksheet on delivery, which follows on from Worksheets on transport, community development, water cycle management, green infrastructure, economy, waste, inclusive design, housing, biodiversity and energy. The Worksheets, together, represent a comprehensive set of best practice advice and support on the range of subject areas to be addressed and the standards to be met when planning an eco-town.

The TCPA gratefully acknowledges the support provided by Communities and Local Government in sponsoring the Eco-towns Worksheets and in setting up the Eco-Development Group. The TCPA is also very grateful to the many groups and individuals who contributed their skills, experience and knowledge to the production of the Worksheets.