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Green schemes for Thames Gateway | Green schemes for Thames Gateway |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly has announced she wants the Thames Gateway housing development to eventually emit no carbon dioxide. | |
She said her vision is for a project which sets new environmental standards for the rest of the country. | |
She also revealed a number of green schemes which are to be incorporated into the project. | |
The Thames Gateway is a regeneration project stretching 40 miles from east London into north Kent and Essex. | The Thames Gateway is a regeneration project stretching 40 miles from east London into north Kent and Essex. |
The project aims to create 160,000 new homes and 180,000 new jobs along the Thames Estuary by 2016, through encouraging business investment and improving education and healthcare. | The project aims to create 160,000 new homes and 180,000 new jobs along the Thames Estuary by 2016, through encouraging business investment and improving education and healthcare. |
Renewable energy | Renewable energy |
Environmentalists have raised concerns the pressure to build new homes is leading to badly thought-out housing projects which will damage the environment and wildlife. | Environmentalists have raised concerns the pressure to build new homes is leading to badly thought-out housing projects which will damage the environment and wildlife. |
Among the green initiatives Ms Kelly announced are a housing scheme incorporating renewable energy and designated open spaces for recreation and wildlife. | |
However, some in the housing industry have questioned whether the government's aim is realistic. | However, some in the housing industry have questioned whether the government's aim is realistic. |
Companies already building sustainable housing elsewhere say the government's plans lack ambition. | Companies already building sustainable housing elsewhere say the government's plans lack ambition. |
Experts also say that if the government really wants to improve the housing stock the industry needs tougher building regulations. | Experts also say that if the government really wants to improve the housing stock the industry needs tougher building regulations. |