Report calls for more of Prince Charles' eco-villages

Prince Charles’ eco-village Poundbury should be a model for rural expansion, according to a government review.

The study, commissioned by Gordon Brown, will this week recommend the expansion of market towns with structured communities, instead of more urban sprawl.

It is to identify Poundbury as a possible blueprint for rural expansion and also recommend incentives for farmers to give up land for social housing.

According to the Times, the report author Matthew Taylor, MP for Truro & St Austell, also suggests fast-tracking planning for affordable housing in areas where villagers approve the plans.

Mr Taylor was commissioned to see how up to 3m new homes could be built in country areas.