Eco-towns Q&A

Eco-towns are proposed as a magic solution to housing shortages and carbon excess, but they have also attracted their fair share of controversy. CJ looks at the issues behind eco-towns.

 

What are eco-towns?

Eco-towns will be entirely new towns of between 5,000 and 20,000 homes, designed to strict environmental guidelines. The whole town must be zero carbon, which means it must generate more renewable energy itself than it takes from the national grid. They must also be exemplar in one aspect of environmental technology.

The eco-towns must have a separate and distinct identity with good links to nearby settlements. Between 30% and 50% of homes must be affordable with a mix of house sizes. The towns must also contain their own schools, shops and business and facilities.

Where will the eco-towns be situated?

The government announced 15 sites for eco-towns in its shortlist in April. But only 10 sites will eventually be chosen. None of the homes will be built on green belt land and many are proposed for brownfield land such as disused airfields and former mining pits. Detractors have pointed out that 12 of the 15 shortlisted towns are proposed for Conservative-held constituencies.

The eco-town shortlist is constantly being revised as bidders drop out. Since April, developers have withdrawn their bids for eco-towns in Manby and Curborough. Plans to build 15,000 homes at Rossington have been scaled down to 5,000 homes and the 13,000 home eco-town at Hanley Grange has been scaled down to 6,500 homes. Meanwhile, Norfolk’s Coltishall eco-town is in doubt after the government won permission to build a prison on the site.

When will the eco-towns be built?

The government wants to build five eco-towns by 2016 and up to another five by 2020. It has appointed a panel of 12 experts to advise and support developers with their proposals. But they don’t have the final say. Ministers will make the final decision.

The government had expected to release the shortlist of 10 locations at the end of 2008 but this has been delayed until some time in 2009. Successful bidders will then be invited to submit their planning applications. The length of time an application will take will depend on the complexity of the bid, but delays are expected because of major opposition. The government hopes work will start on the first eco-towns by 2010.

What features will eco-towns have?

Homes must be south-facing to increase their energy-efficiency and green spaces will be plentiful. Developments are also likely to be pedestrian friendly, as many homes will not be allowed to have a car. Those families lucky enough to drive, will have to stick to low speeds. The government has also suggested each development include a skate park and an area for gypsies to live in.

On the design side, architects from around the world have been invited to submit designs. Designer Terence Conran is one well-known person rumoured to be taking part.

Are eco-towns anything to do with the Code for Sustainable Homes?

The government wants the homes built to at least level four of the code and the town's to wholistically achieve zero carbon status. But this has attracted controversy for its clash with the aspirational timetable to introduce the various code levels. 

Government spokespeople have said English Partnership’s Carbon Challenge, which builds entire communities to level six of the code, will be a testing ground for eco-towns.

Which companies are bidding to build eco-towns?

There are a variety of companies putting forward proposals, many of them consortiums consisting of energy suppliers, housebuilders and land owners. Redrow Homes has partnered with Wates Developments for the West Sussex proposal. Shell, the Co-op, Places for People and English Partnerships are also involved in schemes.

Why should eco-towns be built?

The government has set itself a target to build 3m new homes by 2020 and reduce carbon emissions. So it sees building environmentally-friendly towns as a natural way to meet both goals.

Who is against eco-towns?

Many residents in towns near proposed eco-towns sites have voiced strong opposition, including a few celebrities. They claim the new homes will put pressure on existing roads and schools and that residents of the towns will be socially isolated. Others say eco-towns will destroy the feel of their villages.

The sites that have sparked the most controversy include a site near Weston-on-the-Green near Oxford and Middle Quinton next to Stratford-upon-Avon.

The Local Government Association has called the towns the “slums of the future”, while architect Lord Rogers of Riverside labelled them a “big mistake”.

Within the construction industry, the Federation of Master Builders has called the towns a “red herring”. The Home Builders Federation has been lukewarm in its support, warning they could be “an expensive distraction” from meeting housing needs.
Celebrity opponents include Dame Judi Dench, John Nettles and Johnny Herbert.

What do eco-towns mean for contractors?

Some have argued the whole idea of eco-towns uphold a perceived bias by prime minister Gordon Brown towards multi-national business and centralised control. The contracts to build the eco-towns are likely to be massive. Smaller, innovative firms could find themselves locked out of the work as the big companies take control.

Companies with niche green products that can align themselves to major bidders could find a windfall.

Useful eco-towns links

• Official government eco-towns prospectus
• Wikipedia entry on ecotowns
• Eco-towns blog
• Ford airfield ecotown website
• Coltishall ecotown website

Opposition to eco-towns

• Anti eco-towns petitions
• Stop Henley Grange ecotown
• Stop Elsenham ecotown