Three locations in our region have been named in the final 15 shortlisted for the government's new eco-towns development programme today.
Housing Minister Caroline Flint today announced which potential locations will go forward to the next stage, which she says will provide a major boost in affordable housing across the country whilst tackling climate change.
The three locations in our region are:
- Bordon-Whitehill, Hampshire 5-8,000 homes on a site owned by the Ministry of Defence. A significant number of ex-MoD homes are already on the site, west of Whitehill-Bordon. The proposal could include 2,000 affordable houses in an area of very high affordability pressure.
- Weston Otmoor, Oxfordshire 10-15,000 homes on a site adjoining the M40 and the Oxford-Bicester railway. Three miles south west of Bicester, the site includes a current airstrip. The scheme could include between 3,000 and 5,000 affordable homes, in an area of extreme affordability pressure.
- Ford, West Sussex 5,000 homes on a site which includes brownfield land and the former Ford airfield. Close to rail line linking London and the Sussex coast. The scheme could include 1,500 affordable homes, in an area of very high affordability pressure.
Other locations in the shortlist are:
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Coltishall, Norfolk
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Curborough, Staffordshire
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Elsenham, Essex
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Hanley Grange, Cambridgeshire
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Imerys, Cornwall
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Leeds city region, West Yorkshire
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Manby, Lincolnshire
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Marston Vale and New Marston, Bedfordshire
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Middle Quinton, Warwickshire
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Pennbury, Leicestershire
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Rossington, South Yorkshire
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Rushcliffe, Nottinghamshire
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Caroline Flint |
Housing Minister Caroline Flint said: "We have a major shortfall of housing and with so many buyers struggling to find suitable homes, more affordable housing is a huge priority. To face up to the threat of climate change, we must also cut the carbon emissions from our housing. Eco-towns will help solve both of these challenges.
"Building in existing towns and cities alone simply cannot provide enough new homes. I understand this is an issue that can raise strong opinions, but everyone now has the opportunity to express their views before any decisions are made - because this is an issue that affects us all."
More than 40 proposals have not been taken forward for being undeliverable or not ambitious enough to meet the high environmental and affordability standards set by Government.
Consultation
Today's announcement of the shortlist of potential locations is only the first stage and they will now be consulted on with the public, local authorities and wider stakeholders. Bidders who have cleared the first hurdle will face considerably tougher tests ahead if they want to become eco-towns and will need to improve proposals still further.
Shortlisted locations now face further challenges including public consultation and a detailed Sustainability Appraisal which will assess the merits and challenges for each one.
Zero carbon
The final schemes being promoted will have to reach zero carbon standards bypromoting leading edge green technologies, provide high levels of affordable housing, demonstrate how they will deliver key infrastructure such as good public transport, schools and health facilities and safeguard local wildlife.
Eco-towns will be the first new towns since the 1960s and will tackle the combined challenges of climate change, the need for more sustainable living and a real shortage of housing for families and first-time buyers. The Government has said it wants to build five eco-towns by 2016 and up to ten by 2020 as part of ambitious plans to build 3 million homes by 2020.
Public services
With new communities being designed from scratch, eco-towns will also present an excellent opportunity to incorporate the best standards and latest developments in public services at the very heart of these new communities.
What next?
The government will now consult widely for three months to get preliminary views on the benefits of eco-towns and these shortlisted locations, the first of four key stages to becoming an eco-town. A final shortlist of locations will be published later this year, after which each potential eco-town will need to submit a planning application.
External links
More information (government site)
Eco towns prospectus (government site)
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