Press Release

Government's future eco-towns are flawed

11 February 2010

The government has just announced (9 Feb 2010) plans to put £60m into nine new eco-towns, but independent analysis by the Institution of Engineering and Technology reveals that the plans are not so green after all.

The eco-towns initiative is in reality the construction of large numbers of low cost housing on green field sites and the plans do not take sufficient consideration of energy use or transport.

Specifically, our criticisms are:

-An un-questioning emphasis on zero-carbon, which ignores the important contribution that can be played by offsite renewables;
-Transport not taken into account in the carbon calculations;
-Not enough emphasis on exploiting innovation in new developments within engineering and technology;
-Lack of consistency in energy use by seemingly identical buildings.
-We believe that the resources being channelled into this initiative would be better used retro-fitting existing homes and towns with greener infrastructure using the latest engineering and technology. This presents far better carbon saving and stimulus to the UK economy.

As a major representative of the professional engineering community the IET lacks confidence in the government's eco-towns proposals. We are concerned that the government is moving forward without the necessary expertise.

Media enquiries to:

Robert Beahan
Communications Manager
T: +44 (0)1438 767336
M: +44 (0)7595 400912
E: rbeahan@theiet.org