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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Four sites to become 'eco-towns' | Four sites to become 'eco-towns' |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| The locations of four new "eco-towns" have been announced as part of scaled-down government plans. | The locations of four new "eco-towns" have been announced as part of scaled-down government plans. |
| They are Rackheath, Norfolk; north-west Bicester, Oxfordshire; Whitehill Bordon, East Hants; and the China Clay Community near St Austell, Cornwall. | 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. | 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. |
| Schemes at the four confirmed sites are proposed or broadly supported by local authorities, the government said. | Schemes at the four confirmed sites are proposed or broadly supported by local authorities, the government said. |
| 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. | 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. |
| Construction would be under way by 2016, later than originally envisaged. | Construction would be under way by 2016, later than originally envisaged. |
| All the low-flush toilets in world can't make dumping a housing estate on green fields somehow eco-friendly Grant ShappsShadow housing minister Imagining life in an eco-town | All the low-flush toilets in world can't make dumping a housing estate on green fields somehow eco-friendly Grant ShappsShadow housing minister 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | "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. | "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. | 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. | 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. | 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". | But before the announcement shadow housing minister Grant Shapps, branded the scheme an "eco-con" and a "gimmick". |
| Criticism | 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. | "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." | "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. |
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