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Eco town plan 'to be scaled down' Four sites to become 'eco-towns'
(1 day later)
The government is expected to announce a scaled-down version of its grand plan to create up to 10 "eco towns". The locations of four new "eco-towns" have been announced as part of scaled-down government plans.
Gordon Brown set out in 2007 to create hundreds of thousands of homes in "carbon neutral" communities as he campaigned to succeed Tony Blair. They are Rackheath, Norfolk; north-west Bicester, Oxfordshire; Whitehill Bordon, East Hants; and the China Clay Community near St Austell, Cornwall.
Gordon Brown had announced plans to create hundreds of thousands of homes in 10 "carbon neutral" communities.
But the zero-carbon developments - some earmarked on open countryside - have caused protests and a legal challenge.But the zero-carbon developments - some earmarked on open countryside - have caused protests and a legal challenge.
The government is now likely to confirm a first wave of just three or four towns in areas with council support. Schemes at the four confirmed sites are proposed or broadly supported by local authorities, the government said.
They are believed to include 4,000 homes on a disused airfield near Norwich and 5,000 at St Austell in Cornwall, as well as other sites in Oxfordshire and east Hampshire. However, the developments - including 4,000 homes on the disused airfield at Rackheath, near Norwich, and 5,000 in the Cornwall town - must still go through the planning process.
Affordable housing
Construction would be under way by 2016, later than originally envisaged.Construction would be under way by 2016, later than originally envisaged.
BBC local government correspondent John Andrew says a second wave of towns could follow, though some more contentious ones may be dropped. All the low-flush toilets in world can't make dumping a housing estate on green fields somehow eco-friendly Grant ShappsShadow housing minister class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/8154393.stm">Imagining life in an eco-town
Housing Minister John Healey wants to see a second wave of at least six eco-towns and is making up to £5m available for councils to conduct further planning work on proposals.
Rossington near Doncaster and North-East Elsenham in Essex are still developing proposals for their sites.
Mr Healey said radically redesigning housing schemes could lead to a higher quality of life.
"The proposals can raise strong opinions, but climate change threatens us all.
"With our commitment to the eco-towns we are taking steps to meet this challenge and help build more affordable housing," he added.
The towns would include smart meters to track energy use, community heat sources and charging points for electric cars. Parks, playgrounds and gardens would make up 40% of their area.
Affordable homes would take their energy from the sun, wind and earth, with residents able to sell their surplus energy into the grid.
Their development would be coupled with strict rules on public transport, with all homes located within 10 minutes' walk of bus, train or tram services.
But before the announcement shadow housing minister Grant Shapps, branded the scheme an "eco-con" and a "gimmick".
Criticism
"Many of these schemes are unsustainable, unviable and unpopular, but Gordon Brown wants to impose them from Whitehall irrespective of local opinion," he said.
"All the low-flush toilets in world can't make dumping a housing estate on green fields somehow eco-friendly."
Mr Brown's idea originally met with a positive response and he expanded the scheme from five towns to 10 in September 2007.Mr Brown's idea originally met with a positive response and he expanded the scheme from five towns to 10 in September 2007.
He aimed to tackle the twin problems of housing shortages and climate change with at least 30% affordable housing.He aimed to tackle the twin problems of housing shortages and climate change with at least 30% affordable housing.
But he has since faced criticism from environmental groups and residents who have questioned the impact on the planning system, transport links, jobs provision and environmental impact of the sites.But he has since faced criticism from environmental groups and residents who have questioned the impact on the planning system, transport links, jobs provision and environmental impact of the sites.
Protesters claim some sites were picked where conventional developments had failed to get off the ground.Protesters claim some sites were picked where conventional developments had failed to get off the ground.
Opponents have included actress Judi Dench, author Jilly Cooper and former tennis star Tim Henman's father Tony Henman.Opponents have included actress Judi Dench, author Jilly Cooper and former tennis star Tim Henman's father Tony Henman.
The Conservatives have also been critical of the way eco towns have been handled, but say they would not cancel schemes that enjoyed local support if they win the next election.
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