Coalition urges public support for Government's eco-towns programme

Published by Jon Land for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Communities, Local Government

On the closing day of consultation on the draft policy for eco-towns the cross-sector coalition in support of the initiative outlined why the controversial programme is so important to the future of housebuilding and the environment.

Welcoming many of the sustainability benchmarks set out in the draft policy on eco-towns the coalition believes the strategy provides the opportunity to be a blue-print for future developments, but thinks some standards could go further.

Members of the coalition issued the following statements in support of eco-towns:

Jacob Tompkins, Managing Director of Waterwise, said: “Waterwise is proud to be part of the eco-town coalition and welcome the initiative. The key to water efficiency is reducing waste not restricting use, if all buildings practice water efficiency we can ensure a sustainable water supply for the future.”

TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: “With several million out of work, and the number of job vacancies dwindling, the Government could help thousands of people into work by giving a number of eco-towns the go-ahead now.”

“Eco-towns could help provide and sustain jobs both during their construction when they will help to develop the skills needed for environmentally sustainable house-building, and for the people who live in the towns once they are built.”

“But if the towns are to be truly eco-friendly, the jobs they provide must be too and should include high levels of social enterprise, community entrepreneurship and high quality home-working.”

“The Government must face down the NIMBYs and ensure that these badly-needed homes and jobs are delivered as soon as possible.”

Gideon Amos OBE, chief executive of the Town and Country Planning Association, said: "This coalition brings together environmentalists with housing bodies and those concerned with social justice – a genuinely cross sector voice backing eco-towns – reflecting the majority of opinion within the country.

"While some sites will need to be further tested against agreed plans, the truth is that the standards already set for eco-towns in this draft policy statement far outstrip those for any other development.”

Peter Lipman, Policy Director of Sustrans, said: "The UK urgently needs working demonstrations of how settlements can maximise use of sustainable transport, and a strong planning policy statement could help shape these. If appropriate locations are chosen (and that's a very big if) eco-towns could provide those demonstrations."

Allison Ogden-Newton, CEO of Social Enterprise London said: “Social Enterprise London supports the eco-town concept and its design elements which seek to provide new opportunities for community governance, empowerment and economic/social regeneration through social enterprise. Eco-towns could provide an outstanding platform for innovative social enterprises to promote entrepreneurship and greater engagement in local democracy.”

Adam Sampson, chief executive of Shelter said: “Eco-towns have the potential to play a huge role in helping provide desperately needed homes in an environmentally and socially sustainable way. It is vital that eco-towns include ambitious and firm targets for affordable housing, and that we look beyond the current economic downturn and maintain a focus on long term policy solutions to ensure these homes are delivered.”

Geoff Stokes, National Secretary of National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners Ltd, said: “Eco-towns will create an opportunity to provide adequate and meaningful open space for residents to enjoy, including sufficient allotment plots enabling them to grow their own food thereby reducing food miles.”

Susan Nash, NUS Vice President for Society and Citizenship, said: "NUS believes eco towns play an important role in transforming developments, ensuring better environmental performance and long term sustainability. Our members are deeply affected by the lack of affordable housing, and with many members active in the fight against destructive climate change, we believe Eco towns are both timely and necessary."

Sarah Webb, CIH Chief Executive, said: “CIH supports sustainable design and development and Eco-towns are a good way of delivering greener homes and communities.”

Matt Shardlow, Director of Buglife - The Invertebrate Conservation Trust – said: “We are on the cusp of tragedy, if new developments do not now meet the highest ecological and environmental standards then we will cause irreparable damage to the sensitive ecosystems on which we ultimately depend.  Eco-towns are the strongest proposal on the table and the DCLG will help to ensure their success if they exclude proposals that may damage precious wildlife, and make sure that Eco-towns entice and retain people by incorporating carefully planned access to wildlife-rich green spaces”.

Sue Riddlestone, Executive Director of BioRegional, said: "Eco-towns must aim for an 80% cut in CO2 emissions, in line with the Climate Change Act. We know how to do this; it's time for action, not caution. The coalition's response sets out sensible and necessary recommendations that I hope the Government takes on board in time for the Copenhagen climate negotiations in December."

The Eco-Town Coalition, meanwhile, has also announced a new member, The Grasslands Trust.

Chief Executive said she was 'delighted' the trust had joined the group. 

She said: "Eco-towns need to show their eco-credentials through their greenspaces. High quality greenspaces provide places for people to relax and play, and homes for wildlife.

"We need Eco-towns to show how essential greenspaces are to the fabric of urban areas and how important they are in the lives of the people who live there."