Flint: 'Public supports eco-towns by ratio of 5:1'

Published by Jon Land for 24dash.com
Monday 30th June 2008 - 11:11am

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.

The Conservative Party, meanwhile,  today withdrew its support for the Government's controversial eco-towns plan.

Shadow Housing Minister, Grant Shapps, said: "So-called eco-towns have become an eco-con mired in controversy and utterly discredited.

"Gordon Brown's brainchild has descended into a farce. We cannot support a scheme that’s been exposed as a green sham and won't come even remotely near to building large numbers of genuinely eco-friendly homes. The public have been duped.

“I think it is fair to say that eco-towns will now never see the light of day. They will become the Government’s great white elephant. Gordon Brown and Caroline Flint should do everyone a favour and perform one of their characteristic u-turns and ditch them.”

But Shelter chief executive Adam Sampson said: “Eco-towns give the Government the opportunity to provide thousands of new, affordable homes while protecting the environment.

"We must ensure these new homes are available for those on hard-pressed budgets, which is why Shelter is calling for at least 30% of the homes in eco-towns to be social rented, and a further 20% to be other affordable housing.”

Mr Sampson added: “There will always be opposition to house building proposals and this is why public consultation is vital to show the need for local housing solutions.

“However we must ensure the voices of people most disadvantaged by the housing crisis are not drowned out by a vocal minority of nimbys and celebrities.

“Britain is being crippled by a dire shortage of affordable housing, and eco-towns can not only provide desperately needed new homes, but also have the opportunity to provide a blueprint for the future of environmentally and socially sustainable housing delivery.”

Read the article in 24dash here .