11-09-07, UpMyStreet ©
Housing policy is undergoing a green makeover, after Gordon Brown unveiled plans for five new 'eco-towns'.
Old industrial areas will be replaced with sustainable communities, encompassing 100,000 new, green homes.
Zero carbon homes
All of the homes in the eco-towns will be zero carbon, saving more in CO2 emissions than they produce. Each property will be packed with energy efficient features such as insulation and double glazing, and will be made from sustainably-sourced materials.
Transport
Eco-towns will have extensive bus, train and tram services to promote greener forms of transport and encourage people to leave their cars at home. Cycle paths and pedestrianised areas will also feature to keep out gas-guzzling vehicles.
Town planning
A smarter, greener approach to town planning has been adopted for the new towns. Each will be designed in a way that minimises the impact of everyday town activity on the environment, including tasks such as the school run, a trip to the shops or the commute to work.
Mr Brown said: "The great advantage is that you can plan the whole thing... you have roads, you have bus routes, cycle lanes and you also have your schools built in the most environmentally sustainable ways, and all your community facilities."
Energy
Energy supplies in each town will be generated locally from sustainable or renewable sources, such as solar and wind power. Homeowners will also be encouraged to generate electricity of their own, with micro-generation solar panels or wind turbines.
Proposed locations
So far, only one site has been earmarked for an eco-town, on the former site of Oakington Barracks in Cambridgeshire. Councils will be invited to bid to host the other four.
Long term
The government has pledged to build three million new homes by 2020, and to make all new housing carbon-neutral within the next 10 years. Depending on their success, eco-town developments could be a more and more regular sight.
How to...
The great advantage is that you can plan the whole thing... you have roads, you have bus routes, cycle lanes and you also have your schools built in the most environmentally sustainable ways, and all your community facilities.
Gordon Brown on eco-towns
An eco case-study: BedZED, Sutton, Surrey
- 82 residential homes including key worker homes, social housing, rental & market purchases
- Largest eco-community in the UK
- Buildings store heat during summer
- Buildings release heat in winter
- Houses arranged in south-facing terraces for maximum sun exposure
- Designed to promote walking, cycling & public transport
- 56% reduction in carbon emissions
- Committed to become 100% carbon free
- Mainly built from natural, recycled or reclaimed materials
Your comments (1)
Seamus Crowe (South Northamptonshire), on 21/09/2007 at 09:57
Why just in five zones and why all new houses inside 10 years? The crisis of fighting for oil in Iraq, rising prices for gas and oil as we lose our own north sea reserves and greater competition for reserves with developing nations like India and China mean we should be imposing it now.
It will take a generation at least to make all housing independent of foreign resources, to say nothing of improving costs of home ownership which benefits our economy.
Do it now? Certainly - we do not need more procrastination.
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