Just one in 12 eco-town sites passes green test

Only one of 12 proposed eco-town sites has passed a green assessment, putting the entire programme in doubt.

The newly-unveiled proposal for Rackheath near Norwich was the only scheme to receive a grade A sustainability mark by environmental consultancy Scott Wilson.

Ten other sites were awarded a B, which means they could still make the grade if improvements are made to their planning and design.

Parkridge’s proposed eco-town near Weston-on-the-Green, Otmoor got the lowest grading of C because it is mostly greenfield and includes sites of special scientific interest.

In assessing most of the proposals, the consultancy pointed to difficulties over transport, loss of greenfield areas and doubts as to whether some towns could develop their own identities.

Housing minister Margaret Beckett admitted that not all the schemes would meet the strict environmental standards and could fail, reported the Guardian.

“It is vital we get locations for these eco-towns right, and the shortlist has been refined to reflect the results of the most detailed assessment… but I do not expect all of these locations to go forward.

“The eco-town standards are tough and I think some of these shortlisted schemes could struggle to meet them.”

The shortlist for eco-towns was unveiled in April but has been revised following drop-outs and late additions.

New to the list are proposals for eco-towns in Rackheath, Newton-Bingham in Nottinghamshire and Bicester in Oxfordshire.