It is a concern that eco-towns appear to be announced without any real prior consultation within the areas affected, and without any real idea of what they will look like, what infrastructure support they will be given and what say will local people be given. It makes the consultation exercise about unlocking local talent and finding local leadership a bit hollow, when so much lands on us from on high. Is it the intention of central government to remove all planning from the democratic process, such as already proposed for major projects?

This a trenchant comment from Country Life: ‘Eco-towns are a con of the first order, , , we’ll have unsustainable settlements without jobs or amenities dumped on us’.

Government prospectus for Eco-Towns is available free; go to:

http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/ecotownsprospectus

Eco-towns could work - if the location is right. In the right circumstances this can well be a very good idea.

Why do towns and cities seem to be always competing with each other to be bigger and bigger. To me bigger isn’t better. The bigger the city the more likely you are to be mugged, burgled or even stabbed or shot. More and more houses are built, then more industry is needed to provide jobs. A huge housing estate is being built near to where I live, there’s no extra schools, doctors or dentists, shops or pubs. Green areas that were provided years ago when new housing was being built have been sold off and built on. School playing fields have been built on. Utter disgrace.

CPRE’s view:
‘Our main worry is the proposed location of many of these schemes. We fully support the Government’s aspirations for achieving the highest standards in terms of sustainability and affordability. But achieving high environmental standards on site is not enough if the development is in the wrong place to begin with.’

‘For settlements to be genuinely “eco” they must be based around walking, cycling and public transport with a range of facilities available locally. They should enhance, not spoil, the surrounding area and landscape, and win the support of the local community. For this to happen, schemes must be agreed via the local planning process rather than attempt to circumvent this.’

For more information from CPRE and map go to:
http://www.cpre.org.uk/news/view/471

For information about the Bill and summary of other responses:
http://www.epolitix.com/legislation/legislation-details/newsarticle/westminster-hall-debate-policy-on-eco-towns/
see also BBC website:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7327717.stm
individual sites itemised:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7328138.stm

Government consultation ends on 30th June
for details: http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/ecotownsgreenerfuture

There is a debate on this very topic on the 10th June at Smith Square in London.  I have posted the booking form here for those of you who are interested.

Do the Civic Trust have any fact sheets on eco towns?