Update: Eco-town panel announced

Two television presenters are among a panel of experts that are expected to advise and support developers the government's eco-towns schemes, Housing Minister Caroline Flint has announced.

The twelve members of the Eco-towns Challenge panel are:

• John Walker (Chair) - Former Chief Executive, British Urban Regeneration Association. Expert in delivery of large mixed use development
• Dr Liz Goodwin - Chief Executive, Waste and Resource Action Programme (WRAP). Expert in use of natural resources and recycling
• Stephen Hale - Director, Green Alliance. Environment expert
• Sir Peter Hall - President, Town and Country Planning Association. Expert in urban issues, housing and planning
• Wayne Hemingway - Founder, Red or Dead. Expert in design and social issues
• Stephen Joseph - Executive Director, Campaign for Better Transport. Transport expert
• Nick Mabey - Chief Executive, E3G. Expert in energy issues and economic development
• Kris Murrin - TV presenter of 'The Woman Who Stops Traffic' for Channel 4, expert in sustainable transport and children's issues
• Sunand Prasad - Royal Institute of British Architects President-Elect. Expert in design and architecture
• Liz Reason - Director, Reasons to Be Cheerful consultancy. Expert in innovative approaches to energy issues and climate change
• Sue Riddlestone - Director, BioRegional Development Group. Expert in sustainability and sustainable development
• Joanna Yarrow - TV presenter, green-lifestyle specialist and founder of sustainability company Beyond Green

Housing Minister Caroline Flint said:

"The high calibre of those who have signed up is testament to both the excitement generated by eco-towns and the opportunity that this presents to shape the way we live, not just in eco-towns but across the whole country.

"We need more homes in this country and we need greener homes, and eco-towns present an opportunity we cannot afford to miss to combine both. I would like to thank these members of the Eco-town Challenge for agreeing to play such a tough but vital role in the development of eco-towns."

Up to ten eco-towns will be built by 2020 and Caroline Flint announced a shortlist of fifteen potential locations last week for consultation.