TCPA welcomes government backing to get pioneering eco-town pilots off the ground » Environment » 24dash.com

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.