Eco-quarter planned for Thames Gateway » Housing » 24dash.com

New technologies and initiatives for homes and businesses in the Thames Gateway to tackle climate change will be tried out in the country's first eco-quarter, Thames Gateway Minister Shahid Malik has announced.

The Thames Gateway is designated an eco-region and the eco-quarter will provide the first real exemplar of the standards Government aspires to achieve throughout that region.

Residents, businesses and local authorities in the Gateway are now being asked to comment on proposals to define the eco-quarter. Today's consultation proposes characteristics and standards that could define exactly what makes an eco-quarter. Key proposals include defining the quarter as an area of around 2,000 new and existing homes, and an area where businesses are already established and where job creation is possible.

The eco-quarter will test and demonstrate technologies that provide sustainable energy to homes and businesses and initiatives that could counter the effects of climate change.

It is proposed these will include ways of reducing water use and waste, managing flood risk and creating enhanced bio-diversity parks and green spaces that will support less car use by increasing the number of people cycling and walking and providing more opportunities for sport.

Shahid Malik said: "Addressing the threat from climate change is an immediate priority for this Government. That's why establishing an eco-quarter that can test new technologies and initiatives in a mixed environment area of homes and businesses is so important.
"Increasing the energy and eco-performance of existing buildings will reduce emissions and running costs.

"The benefits of providing this exemplar of sustainable living will not only benefit people in the Thames Gateway, the benefits will be felt much wider. This eco-quarter will provide inspiration and solutions for people around the country."

The eco-quarter will demonstrate how communities can mitigate the impacts of climate change and adapt to the future, how low carbon and renewable energy, design and technology can generate and support economic growth and investment.

Working towards water neutrality - where total water used after new development is no more than that used previously - will be an important aim of the eco-quarter. Technologies, such as low-flush toilets and water recycling, will be used to ensure no additional water is needed even if new homes and business premises are built in the quarter.

A new Environment Agency study reveals that for every £1 invested in water neutrality, £1.40 in savings can be realised through using less water and energy in homes and businesses.

Julie Foley, head of sustainable communities for the Environment Agency said: "Our work shows the benefits which water neutrality could bring. We now want to see the trialling of water neutrality in areas like the eco-quarter to demonstrate what can be achieved - facilitating new development without increasing pressures on precious water resources."

The Environment Agency is supporting the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) in putting together an action plan to identify how water neutrality can be delivered in Thames Gateway over time.

The consultation also suggests a process that local authorities in the Thames Gateway could use to bid for funding from the HCA to help create an eco-quarter.

Once the eco-quarter criteria has been defined, local authorities will be invited to bid for the quarter to be in their borough. The successful bid can then apply for up to £150,000 revenue funding from the HCA to help develop and deliver their concept. The funding can be used for staff and professional services to draw up detailed plans and identify other sources of funding.

The consultation is open to all local authorities, developers and builders, residents and delivery bodies in the Thames Gateway, along with organisations that develop and test new environmental technologies. The consultation finishes on 8 January 2010.

It can be found at: www.communities.gov.uk/publications/thamesgateway/ecoquarterconsultation