Tuesday, November 04, 2008
First published : ePolitix
The government has revised its list of potential sites for planned eco-towns, with housing minister Margaret Beckett stating that "standards are tough".
Following the government`s assessment of the 12 locations put forward, the only site to be lavished with the highest `A` rating was Rackheath in Greater Norwich
Meanwhile the only site to be awarded a `C` rating - the lowest grade possible for the potential impact on both local community and environment - was Weston Otmoor in Oxfordshire.
The site has only been deemed suitable should it be provided with "substantial and exceptional innovation".
Locations dropped from the shortlist were Coltishall, in Norwich, and a site near Leeds.
Beckett said: "The threat of climate change is a challenge we must tackle at every level and housing is no exception.
"Developing a greener approach to our housing need is crucial and eco-towns are a vital part of this programme.
"I believe it is vital we get the locations for these eco-towns right and the shortlist has been refined to reflect the results of the most detailed assessment to date on these potential locations.
"But I do not expect all of these locations to go forward - the eco-town standards are tough and I think some of these shortlisted schemes could struggle to meet them," the housing minister added.
The main opposition parties were vocal in their condemnation of the plans, with shadow housing minister Grant Shapps claiming that "the government is now intending to fiddle the whole planning process, by imposing Whitehall diktats on local councils, forcing them to accept these unsustainable new developments".
And Liberal Democrat housing spokeswoman Sarah Teather said: "Ministers are using their eco-towns policy to hide their failure to demand proper environmental standards from new developments."