Locations of first eco towns announced
The Government has announced that the first four successful eco-town sites, which will pioneer innovative design and infrastructure for greener living, are:
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Whitehill-Bordon in Hampshire
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St Austell (China Clay) in Cornwall
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Rackheath in Norfolk
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North West Bicester in Oxfordshire
Planning minister John Healey told Parliament that developers in the four successful locations will be able to bid for a share of £60m to support local infrastructure.
The Government has also made it clear that it is expecting identification of more eco-towns through local and regional plans next year. The Government has previously said that it wants to see up to 10 eco towns by 2020.
The Government has also published a Planning Policy Statement for eco towns setting out the standards that they are expected to reach which is a supplement to Planning Policy Statement 1.
The Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) has just published new guidance, endorsed by the Government, on applying inclusive design principles to eco-town developments.
The ministerial announcement of the locations of the first eco towns can be seen on the DCLG website. The Town and Country Planning Association guidance can be seen on the Town and Country Planning Association website.
