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New research reveals public support for the development of eco-towns by a ratio of 5:1

Published	30 June 2008

Housing Minister outlines second phase of eco-towns consultation

New research released today by Housing Minister Caroline Flint reveals current support for the development of eco-towns among the general public outnumbers opposition by a ratio of 5:1. The research is published as the consultation process around the Government's vision for the country's first eco-towns starts its next phase.

The YouGov survey findings reveal that 46 per cent of adults support the development of eco-towns in England, compared with nine per cent who oppose their development. And when asked if they would support the development of an eco-town within five miles of their home, respondents still supported them by a ratio of 2:1 (34 per cent in support; 15 per cent opposed).

The results also underline public appreciation that more affordable housing needs to be built. Most people believe there is a shortage of affordable housing in their area, with three-fifths (58 per cent) saying there is very little or no affordable housing within five miles of their home.

Housing Minister Caroline Flint said:

"Eco-towns are a new concept in England and we know that they invoke strong opinions. That's why the consultation process is so important. However, our initial research among the general public  shows clear support in favour of eco-towns.

"This is an important consultation, but all voices should be heard, not just those who shout loudest. We recognise that some people do have concerns, but this research underlines the real recognition among the general public of the importance of building more affordable homes, and their support for the idea of an eco-town in the local area.

"We are running a rigorous process to decide which locations are  selected to go forward to the next stage. Proposals which do not  deliver real benefits and do not meet the highest possible standards will not get through our scrutiny. The process is open, transparent and inclusive and we will be testing every detail of the proposals with local  authorities, stakeholders and local communities themselves.

"We believe eco-towns can provide new, sustainable housing which can bring tangible benefits and an improved quality of life for thousands of people. We are strongly urging anyone with an interest in our housing shortage, more sustainable living and climate change to give  us their views."

The Government has been inviting preliminary views and comments on eco-towns since 3 April 2008 when it published its consultation paper Eco-towns: Living a greener future which set out plans to take forward the eco-towns programme and named the shortlisted locations.

The second phase of the consultation will involve a series of roadshows taking place around the short listed sites to provide further information to the public and listen to their views; and a further three months of public consultation on top of the detailed sustainability assessment on the potential locations; and a draft planning policy statement on eco-towns.

The sustainability appraisal will provide greater detail on environmental sustainability and other issues around the locations, and test them against reasonable alternatives. The planning policy statement will create the right framework for consideration of eco-town planning applications, to ensure they meet the highest standards, with the best public transport links and strong employment opportunities. Both documents will be published next month.

The third stage (in the autumn of 2008) will see the publication of the final shortlist of locations with potential to be an eco-town. The final stage involves the consideration of planning applications for the individual schemes by local authorities.

Notes to editors

1. The Andrew Irving Associates You Gov survey Eco-towns: the case for sustainable affordable housing growth was conducted this month with 1,693 adults in England. It was commissioned to ascertain the level of awareness, understanding and perceptions of eco-towns among the general public.

2. The key results were:

Q. To what extent do you support or oppose the development of  eco-towns in England

Strongly support	10%
Tend to support	36%
Neither support nor oppose	34%
Tend to oppose	6%
Strongly oppose	3%
Don't know	11%
1,341 responses

Q. To what extent do you support or oppose the development of  eco-towns within 5 miles of your home?

Strongly support	9%
Tend to support	25%
Neither support nor oppose	39%
Tend to oppose	8%
Strongly oppose	7%
Don't know	12%
1,341 responses

Q. To what extent do you feel there is affordable housing within 5 miles of your home (eg affordable housing for first-time buyers,  families and the retired, including social housing and private housing  etc)?

There is sufficient affordable housing	13%
There is a slight shortage of affordable housing	21%
There is very little affordable housing	40%
There is no affordable housing available	18%
Don't know	8%
1,693 responses

3. Eco-towns will be the first new towns in the UK for more than 40 years, and are intended as a combined response to the challenges around climate change, the need for more sustainable living and the urgent need to increase housing supply for families and first-time buyers. Five eco-towns are planned by 2016 and up to ten by 2020.

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