Lack Of Joined-up Thinking For Eco-towns
The East of England Regional Assembly has voiced concern over proposals for four eco-towns in the region, involving nearly 50,000 new houses. The body is worried that the planning system will be bypassed and that the schemes themselves are unsustainable.
Responding to the eco-towns public consultation, the Assembly raised concerns that the new homes are not well linked to jobs and public transport and could become dormitory towns with high levels of commuting by car.
Cllr Derrick Ashley, Chairman of the Assembly’s Planning Panel said: “Government should halt this dash for eco-towns before more money and effort is wasted. The public want high environmental standards for all new housing not speculative development in unsuitable locations.
“Proposals for new settlements in the region should be decided through the Assembly by local councils and other stakeholders to ensure sustainable growth in appropriate locations.”
Under this system, EERA has already planned for two new settlements at Northstowe in Cambridgeshire and Wixams in Bedfordshire as part of the East of England Plan, the regional development blueprint up to 2021.
The Assembly believes that the eco-town decision-making process should be transferred to its review of the East of England Plan which will identify the region’s housing needs up to 2031.
East of England Plan portal page
Sphere: Related ContentPete Smith @ July 19, 2008