Cornwall

ECO-TOWNS: GOVERNMENT SHOULD GO BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD

As the consultation ^[1] on eco-towns draws to a close countryside campaigners are calling on the Government to focus on one or two truly exemplary schemes, scrap sub-standard proposals and rethink its eco-town programme.

Marina Pacheco, CPRE's Head of Planning, said:

‘To begin with, CPRE supported the eco-towns initiative. Who wouldn't object to exemplar schemes built to high environment standards which provide the affordable homes the nation desperately needs?

‘But we now believe we have been led astray.  What will this programme will deliver?  It appears increasingly to be about spin with very little substance. The creation of the eco-town Challenge Panel ^[2] looks increasingly like a supreme example of spin-mongering.'

CPRE key concerns about short-listed eco-towns proposals are as follows:

• due to their location most eco-towns short-listed are unlikely to work in transport terms and risk being car dependent housing estates with residents stranded in the face of continued fuel price rises;

• most of the sites are predominantly greenfield and include farmland of the highest agricultural quality; two sites actually lie in the Green Belt ^[3];

• three eco-towns are proposed for the East of England where water supply and sewerage have already reached maximum capacity;

• most of the proposed eco-towns go against local plans agreed with communities and therefore have no local democratic mandate;

• site-selection is based on arbitrary, mainly developer-led, bids rather than sound planning in the wider public interest;

• communities are being asked their views on schemes about which little firm information is available, apart from the location;

• there is a worrying lack of evidence to demonstrate that schemes will offer truly sustainable models of living and working;

• the Government's insistence that eco-towns should be freestanding makes no sense since most new housing will be in and around towns where infrastructure needs can be more easily met.

Marina Pacheco concluded:

‘We are urging the Government to go back to the drawing board.  Many of these short-listed schemes are recycled, failed proposals ^[4].  The Government insists that eco-towns must be freestanding new settlements. But by refusing to look at alternatives, such as eco-quarters and redevelopment sites already coming through the planning pipeline it is missing a golden opportunity.'

NOTES:

1. Consultation on Living a Greener Future, Communities and Local Government, closes 30 June. There will be further consultation over the summer when the Government is expected to publish a Planning Policy Statement on eco-towns along with sustainability appraisals of shortlisted schemes. The final shortlist is expected in the autumn.

2. The eco-town Challenge Panel was established by Ministers in April 2008. It has met on two occasions since then and published its advice to developers on Monday 23 June 2008.  

See http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/860195

3.  Rossington and Weston-on-the-Green (Oxon). Baroness Andrews told the House of Lords on 2 June that ‘We will not build on the Green Belt.'

4. Locations where proposals have been put forward in the past include Curburough, Bordon, Rossington, Ford airfield, Marston Vale and Hanley Grange.

DON'T SACRIFICE THE LANDSCAPE TO SAVE THE ENVIRONMENT

‘Climate change is the overwhelming threat to the environment. But it would be madness to desecrate the countryside, one of the nation's most valued environmental assets, in tackling it.  Protecting the landscape from damaging change must be at the heart of the renewable energy strategy if it is to command widespread public support.'

This is CPRE's reaction today (Thursday, June 26^th) to the Government's consultation on a UK Renewable Energy Strategy ^[1].  Neil Sinden, CPRE's Policy Director, said:

‘The proposed strategy is a bold attempt to get to grips with the challenge of moving to a low carbon future.  Public support is essential if we are to deliver the energy revolution we need. 

‘Proper use of the planning system is key to securing that support, yet the Government appears intent on perverting the planning process ^[2] in ways which will only encourage public opposition and risk undermining the protection of our most valued landscapes.'

Neil Sinden concluded:

‘Planning should be centre stage in helping deliver development which minimises our energy needs, reduces the need to travel and protects the landscape.  We will seek to persuade the Government to see planning as an opportunity rather than an obstacle in delivering its renewable energy strategy.'   

NOTES

1.   Consultation on the UK Renewable Energy Strategy was launched by the Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, Rt Hon John Hutton MP, on 26 June.  The consultation deadline is 26 September.

2.   The Planning Bill's proposals for an Infrastructure Planning Commission to take decisions on major infrastructure, including energy, is being pushed through Parliament despite widespread public and political concern (see pp.61-62 in the UK Renewable Energy Strategy).  Regional Planning Bodies are expected to set targets for renewable energy capacity rather than give priority to reducing energy demand (p.62).  The Strategy (p.71) proposes to extend the practice of developers offering ‘community benefits', to encourage local communities to support renewable energy projects, which risks bringing the local planning system into disrepute.

CPRE Cornwall website editorial comment:

There are three issues here that will affect us all:

(1)       The Planning Bill that is currently under consideration;

(2)       Renewable energy and the likelihood of many more wind farms; and

(3)       Climate change and its effect on our environment.

Ted Venn

26^th June 2008