Tightened eco-town rules 'toughest ever'

Housing minister Caroline Flint has tightened the rules for eco-towns amid public opposition and the failure of key proposals.

The “toughest ever green standards for new housing” will require that all buildings and homes in eco-towns be zero carbon and 40% of land be dedicated green space.

Homes must be built to at least level four of the Code for Sustainable Homes and homes must be at least 10 minutes away from public transport.

Unveiling a progress report on the towns, Ms Flint said 5,000 people had responded to the government’s consultation on the eco-towns and designs had been revised due to challenges from a panel set up to scrutinise the plans.

She said: “These would be the toughest standards ever set out for new development and demonstrate that there will be no compromise on quality with eco-towns.

“We need to build more homes in this country, but given that housing contributes 27% of our carbon emissions we must also take this opportunity to trial new ways of tackling climate change.

“In both cases, doing nothing is not an option.”

The report also revealed planning applications will have to be made to local authorities for each town.

Only 13 of the original 15 shortlisted locations remain.