Loading ...Eco-town Protests Gain Momentum
The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) have gone from supporters of the governments eco-town proposals to the loudest critics and not without good reason.
Marina Pacheco, Head of Planning at CPRE, speaking to the Independent on the greenwash masquerading as an eco-town said “We were told Eco-towns would make good use of brownfield land thus preserving our precious resource of arable land. Again, this isn’t the case. Working from details we have gleaned from developers, twelve of the developments will be built on 60% or more of green field land, with one having development on the Green Belt. If you don’t believe us take a look at the CPRE produced Google map with an outline of the development traced over an aerial photo.”
One criteria of an eco-town is that it should be freestanding but none of the current proposals suggest this would be the case, concerns are growing about increased car usage for residents of eco towns to commute to work and shops.
Thirteen of the current 15 shortlisted sites are in rural areas, with existing rural communities already struggling with transport and employment issues.
Of great concern is the sites that will be used. It has been suggested that many are sites which developers were refused permission to build on but those same sites and developers have simply recycled their rejected proposals under the term eco-town.
To support this view is the known issue of sustainability rating, with the eco-towns originally having to be built to a level six rating but this has been reduced to level three. All new housing in England will have to meet level three rating within the next couple of years, so this can hardly be called an environmental revolution.
Housing Minister Caroline Flint said: “Our initial research among the general public shows clear support in favour of eco-towns. This is an important consultation, but all voices should be heard, not just those who shout loudest.”
Perhaps this attitude is what concerns me the most. Yes the public will be in support of affordable eco-friendly housing but do they have the knowledge to foresee the downside of bad planning? I am certainly in favour of this project in theory but have no knowledge of the small print, I like everyone else, must rely on people with knowledge and vision in their field of expertise to pass information and opinion to me in order for me to make up my mind.
The conspiracy theories have already started, with comments left on blogs quoting a “local Tory Councillor claiming this is a plan to move labour voters into the Tory heartland to alter the voting pattern. Quite frankly I find that argument totally unconvincing, for a start that would take forward planning which this government appears totally incapable of.
If you are not aware of the eco-town issue the BBC has set out a basic guide to what is an eco-town and what the current issues are.
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