www.communities.gov.uk

Experts lay down the gauntlet to eco-town developers

Published 23 June 2008

The fifteen experts on the Eco-towns Challenge Panel have today set out a series of recommendations for potential eco-town developers, designed to improve their plans to create world-leading sustainable developments.

Many bidders have been praised for their vision and commitment but others are warned that their ideas must be more ambitious or that they lack innovation.

Formed of leading experts from the worlds of design, the environment, transport and sustainability, the Panel were tasked with reviewing developers' proposals, providing expert advice on their work and challenging them to meet the highest standards possible. Developers were grilled on issues ranging from their ability to reduce the carbon footprint of residents and their reliance on cars to the likely "day in the life" of an eco-town resident in 2020.

Housing Minister Caroline Flint said:

"I have been clear from the start that only those bids that reach the highest possible standards for sustainability can make it through. The Eco-town Challenge panel have played an important role in both providing advice and encouragement to developers on what they have done well, but also challenging them to up their game where there is room for improvement. I'd like to thank the Panel for all their hard work.

"This process was meant to be a challenging ride for the developers, and they need to be open to the creativity of these ideas. Some clearly need to up their game and the ball is now in their court."

John Walker, Chairman of the Eco-towns Challenge Panel, said:

"Our brief was to challenge each proposal in a robust and constructive way, and I think we have done a good job on that front. We have seen much to admire, but in all cases we are challenging the developers to take major steps forward. We want the final eco-towns to be better than the best of the current examples that do exist in the UK and the rest of Europe - clearly there is still a lot of work to do."

Developers now have the opportunity to consider how they plan to respond to these challenges before meeting with the Panel again next month to discuss their work in progress.

Notes to editors

1. Eco-towns give us a unique opportunity to tackle two of the greatest challenges facing the country - the pressing need to confront climate change, and to deliver more affordable housing. Fifteen potential sites for eco-towns are currently being consulted on, and next month Communities and Local Government will begin consultation on a detailed assessment of each location and the proposed standards that eco-towns will have to meet. A final shortlist of up to ten potential sites will be decided later this year, after which developers will need to go through the planning process, subject to full public scrutiny.

2. The full recommendations of the Eco-towns Challenge Panel are available at www.communities.gov.uk/housing/housingsupply/ecotowns/

3. The 15 members of the Eco-towns Challenge Panel are:

  • John Walker, Chair. Former chief executive of the British Urban Regeneration Association and expert in delivery of large mixed use development
  • Lynda Addison. Managing director of Addison and Associates. Transport and planning expert.
  • Dr Liz Goodwin. Chief executive, WRAP. Expert in use of natural resources and recycling
  • Stephen Hale. Director of the Green Alliance. Environmental expert
  • Sir Peter Hall. President, Town and Country Planning Association. Expert in urban issues, housing and planning
  • Wayne Hemingway. Founder, Red or Dead. Expert in design and social issues
  • Stephen Joseph. Executive Director, Campaign for Better Transport. Transport expert
  • Nick Mabey. Chief Executive, E3G. Expert in energy issues and economic development
  • Barry Munday - Architect with experience of New Town development and regeneration. An advocate of best practice, good housing design and new methods of construction
  • Kris Murrin. TV presenter, expert in sustainable transport and children's issues.
  • Sunand Prasad. President of the Royal Institute of British Architecture and expert in design and architecture.
  • Liz Reason. Director of Reasons to be Cheerful consultancy. Expert in innovative approaches to energy issues and climate change
  • Sue Riddlestone. Director, BioRegional Development Group. Expert in sustainability and sustainable development.
  • Richard Simmons. Chief executive, Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment and expert and expert in architectural issues
  • Joanna Yarrow. TV presenter, green-lifestyle specialist and founder of sustainability company Beyond Green

4. The Eco-towns Challenge Panel will not be responsible for deciding which schemes make the final shortlist of up to ten potential locations for eco-towns. This will be determined by Ministers following two periods of public consultation and a detailed Sustainability Appraisal of the locations. Those locations that do make the final shortlist will then have to go through the planning process.

5. The Eco-towns Challenge Panel met with promoters for the proposed eco-towns at Marston Vale, New Marston, Hanley Grange, Curborough, Rossington, Ford, Weston Otmoor, Bordon-Whitehill, Pennbury, Manby, Middle Quinton, North East Elsenham, Coltishall and St Austell. They did not discuss Rushcliffe or the Leeds City Region as specific sites or developers have not been identified.

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