Press Release

Higher standards for eco-towns - a step in the right direction

Thursday, July 24 2008

Countryside campaigners CPRE welcomed the publication today (Thursday) of two reports setting out the Government’s latest thinking on eco-towns. They describe standards eco-towns should achieve, the planning process and timetable.

Kate Gordon CPRE's senior planner said, "The signs are that the Government is starting to listen to people's concerns about eco-towns. We are delighted that the Government has decided to delay publishing a Planning Policy Statement on eco-towns until September and to consult stakeholders about what it should contain in the meantime. Ultimately, we would prefer a statement explaining how statutory planning procedures should be followed, rather than yet another PPS."

"We welcome some of the standards announced today, such as a minimum of one job provided per house and locating homes within ten minutes walk of services. Some standards need to be made more challenging. For example:

• if transport plans are to reflect the very best European examples they should aim for significantly less than 50% of trips by car;

• homes should achieve Sustainable Code Level Six, rather than Four, given that Level Six will be mandatory for all new development by 2016;

• a measure of zero carbon should apply to the whole settlement, covering transport as well as buildings."

CPRE remains concerned, however, about the planning process for agreeing where eco-towns are built. It is calling on the Government to ensure that decisions on eco-towns do not ride roughshod over normal planning procedures.  

Kate Gordon concluded, "Many people are rightly concerned about a programme that has been pursued outside the planning system. Local and regional plans enable proposals to be tested in the light of their effects on the environment and local communities who agree where and how development should take place. The Government should make it clear how these arrangements will be safeguarded."